Frederick Joseph Humphrey
From Our Contribution
 | |
| Personal Information | |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | 8 Mar 1893 |
| Place of Birth | Barkly, Victoria |
| Death | 14 Jul 1959, aged 66 |
| Place of Death | Kewdale, Western Australia |
| Age at Enlistment | 45 years, 6 months |
| Description | 5'4" (1.63m) tall ; ; medium complexion ; grey eyes ; brown hair |
| Occupation | Axeman |
| Religion | Church of England |
| Address | Kelmscott, Western Australia |
| Next of Kin | Wife , Mrs Elizabeth Croft Humphrey |
| Military Information | |
| Reg Number | W27786 |
| Date of Enlistment | 1 Oct 1941 |
| Rank | Private |
| Unit/Formation | 5th Australian Ordnance Vehicle Park |
| Post War Details | |
| Fate | Remained in Australia |
| Medals |
War Medal 1939-45 Australian Service Medal 1939-45 |
Pre War
Married in local district to Elizabeth Croft Willet in 1922.
Electoral Roll entries: 1931 - 1937 at Pickering Brook, labourer
War Service
Mobilised in the Citizen's Military Forces at Claremont on 1 Oct 1941, Fred was taken on strength by the 10th Australian Garrison Battalion at Rottnest. Transferred to the 5th Australian Garrison Battalion on 26 Mar 1942 at Swanbourne. Between 29 Apr and 30 May 1942 he attended a Cooking School, where he was assessed as having fair ability. Granted Special Leave from 26 Oct until 7 Dec 1942, before returning to the 5th Garrison Battalion on 4 Dec 1942.
On 28 Jul 1943 Fred was transferred to the Australian Army Catering Corps, but remained with the 10th Garrison Battalion until 23 Oct 1943 when he was detached to the 10th Light Horse Regiment at Melville. He returned to his normal unit on 9 Nov 1943. On 28 Jan 1944 he transferred to the 29th Australian Garrison Battalion until 17 Apr 1944 after which he was posted to the 382 Pool. On 4 May 1944 he was detached to the Western Command Bulk Issue Petrol and Oil Depot until 9 Aug 1944 when he joined the 5th Australian Ordnance Vehicle Park.
In late 1944 he attended the No. 10 Cooking and Catering Refresher Course at 7th Australian Advanced Ordnance Depot at Nungarin. With an overall comment of "Fair cook, slow but reliable and clean, he was seen to have qualified. Soon after, on 3 Jan 1945 he was detached to the 7th Australian Advanced Ordnance Depot at Nungarin until 7 Sep 1945. Returning to the 5th Australian Ordnance Vehicle Park he was admitted to the 75th Australian Camp Hospital in Nungarin on 19 Sep 1945 suffering with Haematuria. Transferred the same day to the 110th Australian Base Hospital, he was treated by them until 3 Oct 1945 when he returned to duty. However on 2 Nov 1945 he was again admitted to 110th Australian base Hospital with Haematuria, before being released to the 109th Australian Convalescent Depot at Point Walter on 27 Nov 1945. From 2 - 5 Jan 1946 he required further medical attention prior to his discharge on 17 Jan 1946.
Post War
Electoral Roll entries: 1949 - 1958 at Paterson road, South Belmont, soldier;
Notes
Military date of birth (1896) was wrong. Age declared at time of discharge was 53 years, 6 months. Real d.o.b. likely to be 8 Mar 1893.