Robert Alexander MacLean

Robert Alexander MacLean

Personal Information
Date of Birth	4 Oct 1920
Place of Birth	Kelmscott, Western Australia
Death	27 Feb 2003, aged 82
Place of Death	Westfield (Camillo), Western Australia
Age at Enlistment	19 years, 9 months
Description	5'5" (1.65m) tall ; 119lbs 53.977 kg ; dark complexion ; brown eyes ; black hair ; scars on right wrist and left arm and little finger
Occupation	Orchard hand
Religion	Church of England
Address	Rosehill Orchard, Roleystone, Western Australia
Next of Kin	Mother , Katherine Lees MacLean
Military Information
Reg Number	17430 & A53419
Date of Enlistment	22 Jul 1940
Rank	Corporal
Unit/Formation	No. 4 Aircraft Depot RAAF
Military Movement
1st Departure from Australia
Journey Dates	9 Jun 1942 ‒ 11 Jun 1942
Transport Details	SS Charon II Perth to Carnarvon
Post War Details
Fate	Remained in Australia
Medals	War Medal 1939-45 Australian Service Medal 1939-45

War Service

Single at the time of his enlistment on 22 Jul 1940, he was mustered as a Trainee Cook and following a Recruit Drill Course between 24 Jul and 21 Aug 1940 at the No. 4 Recruit Depot Pearce he was sent to No. 1 School of Technical Training RAAF in West Melbourne for a cooking course from 1 Oct to 17 Dec 1940. He remustered as a Cook on 18 Dec 1940 and was posted to the No. 9 Elementary Flying Training School RAAF, at Cunderdin. There on 6 May 1941 he took part in a Anti Gas Course. While in Cunderdin he had two spells in their hospital, from 17 - 25 Jan 1941 and from 31 Jan to 3 Feb 1941. On 29 Jul 1941 he was transferred to No. 5 Embarkation Depot RAAF Perth as a labourer, and on 20 Nov 1941 he was promoted to Leading Aircraftsman.

On 9 Jun 1942 Robert embarked on SS Charon II in Fremantle for Carnarvon where he disembarked on 11 Jun 1942 as he had been transferred to No. 71 Operational Base Unit RAAF at Carnarvon, Western Australia where he was an Acting Corporal and mustered as a General Hand.

On 23 Jan 1943 he was posted to No. 4 Aircraft Depot RAAF in Kalgoorlie, and although he was posted to the No. 4 Central Recovery Depot RAAF on 15 Mar 1944 he was attached back to the No 4 Aircraft Depot until 4 Jun 1944. He was next attached to the No. 76 Operational Base Unit RAAF from 15 Jun 1944 until 18 Sep 1944, after which he returned to No. 4 Central Recovery Depot RAAF until he was sent to No. 5 Personnel Depot RAAF for discharge on 3 Dec 1945. Robert had married Phyllis Margaret (Marge) Muir on 20 Jan 1945.

Post War

Returned to civilian life, he was employed by Industrial Platers and West Australian Steel Products as a storeman. A son Peter was born and died (8 Aug 1958) within 12 months.

Re-enlisted in the RAAF on 29 Jul 1954 for 6 years with dependents Phyllis Margaret, and two children. Robert was then mustered as an Equipment Assistant as during the period between his two service periods he had been employed as a storeman. On 12 Aug 1954 he was posted to 1 RTU, and from 1 Sep 1954 to 24 Nov 1954 he attended Recruit Training Course No 341.

From 26 Nov 1954 until 20 Feb 1955 he was with No 1 Aircraft Depot, after which he was posted on compassionate grounds to Pearce. On 21 Nov 1955 Robert was promoted to Leading Aircraftsman. From 20 Jan to 2 Mar 1956 Robert attended the No 10 "J" Group Equipment Assistants Course at RAAF East Sale. He was discharged on 22 Jul 1960 at his own request but accepted in the RAAF Reserve as a Leading Aircraftsman Equipment Assistant.

Children: Wendy Alexis b.16 Feb 1947, married Arthur Maxwell Perry in 1964; Valerie Faye b.9 Jan 1953; Robyn Lees b.30 Sep 1954; Allen Robert b. 21 Mar 1956; and Dorothy Ellen b. 13 Jun 1957.

Notes

When he first enlisted his application was accompanied by references from Hector Price of Illawarra Orchard Ltd and L Fernie. Robert was the son of Robert George McLean who served during WW1. His brother Ian Stuart MacLean served in the RAN - note spelling options, each one reflects the name as spelt in their respective military records.