Noel Aubrey Brown
From Our Contribution
 | |
| Personal Information | |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | 23 Dec 1921 |
| Place of Birth | Byford, Western Australia |
| Death | 11 Jan 2004, aged 82 |
| Place of Death | Midvale, Western Australia |
| Age at Enlistment | 19 years, 9 months & 22 years, 8 months |
| Description | 5'10" (1.78m) tall ; ; fair complexion ; blue eyes ; fair hair |
| Occupation | Butcher |
| Religion | Church of England |
| Address | 32 Planet street, Carlisle |
| Next of Kin | Mother , Mrs Elizabeth Brown |
| Military Information | |
| Reg Number | W20938, WX22987 & WX30033] |
| Date of Enlistment | 19 Sep 1941 & 12 Sep 1944 |
| Rank | Private |
| Military Movement | |
| 1st Departure from Australia | |
| Journey Dates | 15 Jun 1945 ‒ 24 Jun 1945 |
| Transport Details | USAT Sea Ray Brisbane to Morotai |
| Transfers | |
| Journey Dates | 17 Aug 1945 ‒ 20 Aug 1945 |
| Transport Details | HMAS Kanimbla Morotai to Tarakan, Borneo |
| Return to Australia | |
| Journey Dates | 27 Dec 1945 ‒ 11 Jan 1945 |
| Transport Details | HM LST 408 Tarakan, Borneo to Brisbane |
| Post War Details | |
| Fate | Returned to Australia |
| Medals |
Pacific Star Defence Medal War Medal 1939-45 Australian Service Medal 1939-45 |
Pre War
War Service
Noel's original enlistment was part time in the CMF with the 16th Australian Infantry Battalion (Cameron Highlanders Regiment) on 19 Sep 1941. On 3 Nov 1941 Noel entered No 3 Camp Melville for training, and he was called up for full time duty on 24 Dec 1941. On 15 Feb 1942 he disobeyed a lawful command given to him by his superior officer, for which he was admonished. In April he was AWOL from midnight 3rd until midnight on the 4th. For this he forfeited a day's pay and was penalised by the loss of a day's leave. AWOL again in May at Chidlows, this time from 9:30pm on 15 May until 9:00am on 17 May 1942. Find 10/- ($1), and forfeited 2 day's pay.
On 21 Jul 1942 Noel enlisted in the AIF. On 21 Nov 1942 he faced two charges:1) Whilst on Active Service, failing to appear at a place of parade, and 2) Whilst on Active Service failing to obey a lawful command from his superior officer. Awarded a fine of £2 ($4). On 26 Dec 1942 he reported sick and was evacuated to MDS where he was admitted with an infected right leg. He was released back to his unit on 6 Jan 1943. Noel was AWOL again, from 10:00am 15 Feb until 7:00pm 17 Feb 1943. This time he was fined £3 ($6). On 26 Feb 1943 he and his battalion entrained in Perth for Adelaide, on their way to the Northern Territory, arriving there on 24 Mar 1943. Granted Proficiency Pay from 18 Aug 1943, on 22 Nov 1943 he was Trade tested and qualified as a TG III Butcher. On 18 Apr 1944 he was returned to Western Australian for discharge, a first time, on 19 Apr 1944 to Essential Services, (MPR 2448) at Claremont.
Noel re-enlisted on 20 Sep 1944 and was held by the Recruit Reception Depot at Claremont. On 7 Nov 1944 he was charged with 1) Drunkenness in Perth, and 2) Being improperly dressed in Perth. He was Admonished by the Commanding Officer. On 1 Dec 1944 Noel was transferred to the 2nd Australian Infantry Training Battalion who in turn sent him to the 23rd Australian Infantry Training Battalion at Bathurst, inland from Sydney, arriving on 10 Dec 1944. On 29 Dec 1944 he marched out to join the 1st Australian Army Service Corps Training Battalion in Bathurst. On 2 Mar 1945 he was transferred to the 3rd Australian Reinforcement Training Battalion (Jungle Warfare) at Canungra to prepare for service overseas, and on 22 May 1945 he transferred to the 5th Australian Reinforcement Depot, and on 15 Jun 1945 to the 1st Australian Base Sub Area Details Depot, Staging Area No 2. He had been granted Proficiency Pay from the conclusion of his training at Canungra.
On the same day (15 Jun 1945) Noel embarked on the USAT Sea Ray in Brisbane for Morotai where he disembarked on 24 Jun 1945 and was posted to the 1st Australian Reinforcement Depot. On 17 Aug 1945 he embarked on the HMAS Kanimbla for Tarakan where he disembarked on 20 Aug 1945 and joined 11th Australian Air Maintenance Platoon. On 18 Oct 1945 he transferred to 246th Australian Supply Depot Platoon, where on 15 Nov 1945 he was graded as a Group III Butcher.
On 27 Dec 1945 Noel embarked on HM LST 408 in Tarakan, disembarking in Brisbane on 11 Jan 1946. On 15 Jan 1946 he was sent to Western Australia for discharge, arriving on 27 Jan 1946. On 12 Feb 1946 he was posted to the Leave & Transit Depot for discharge which occurred two days later on 14 Feb 1946.
Post War
During 1952 Noel married Marion Jean Potter. Marion died 17 Apr 1998 at Kununoppin aged 70. Electoral Roll entries: 1949 at 69 Star street, Carlisle, butcher; 1954 at 64 Ashburton street, Victoria Park; 1958 - 1963 at 8 Keane street, Kewdale; 1968 - 1972 at 69 Star street, Carlisle; 1977 - 1980 at 922 Walcott way, Karratha, butcher.
Notes
Various documents give his place of birth in Armadale, Cottesloe, Armadale again, and more frequently Byford.