Robert Neil Anderson
From Our Contribution
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| Personal Information | |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | 2 Dec 1919 |
| Place of Birth | Kelmscott, Western Australia |
| Death | 27 May 1981. aged 61 |
| Place of Death | Kelmscott, Western Australia |
| Age at Enlistment | 22 years, 11 months |
| Occupation | Truck driver |
| Religion | Church of England |
| Address | 2943 Albany Highway, Kelmscott, Western Australia |
| Next of Kin | Father , Mr James Alexander Anderson |
| Military Information | |
| Reg Number | W8997 & WX34835 |
| Date of Enlistment | 30 Apr 1941 |
| Rank | Driver |
| Unit/Formation | 16th Australian Infantry Battalion (Cameron Highlanders Regiment) |
| Military Movement | |
| 1st Departure from Australia | |
| Journey Dates | 21 Nov 1944 ‒ 26 Nov 1944 |
| Transport Details | USAT Evangaline Darwin to Jacquinot Bay |
| Return to Australia | |
| Journey Dates | 28 Jan 1946 ‒ 4 Feb 1946 |
| Transport Details | SS Georgetown Victory Rabaul to Brisbane |
| Post War Details | |
| Fate | Returned to Australia |
| Medals |
1939-45 Star Pacific Star Defence Medal War Medal 1939-45 Australian Service Medal 1939-45 |
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| Plaque Information | |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | 1920 |
| Age at Death | 61 years |
| Transcription | In Loving Memory of Robert Neil Anderson Born 1920 Died 27/05/1981 Aged 61 Years |
Childhood
Robert Neil was born in Kelmscott. He was a son of James Anderson and Blanche Buckingham. Blanche and James had 10 children all together , the last ones being twins. A highlight of the children's life was when Blanche's brother Laurie would deliver boxes of fruit picked from his orchard in Karragullen. One by one the children would come out and eagerly select the best looking plums and apples.
Pre War
War Service
Robert enlisted in the CMF part time on 30 Apr 1940 and was allocated to the 16th Australian Infantry Battalion (Cameron Highlanders Regiment). He entered basic training camp number 37 at Melville on 17 Jul 1941, completing his trwaining on 14 Oct 1971. On 16 Dec 1941 he was clled up for full time duty andagain entered a training camp at Melville. On 27 Jul 1942 he was sent to a Driver/Mechanics course at Claremont, returning to the battalion on 16 Aug 1942. He had done well on the course and was recommended for further practice in his unit.
Robert enlisted in the 2nd AIF on 3 Nov 1942, and then was admitted to the Main Dressing Station from 21` - 26 Dec 1942 - condition not recorded. On 28 Feb, along with the rest of the battalion he entrained in Perth for Adelaide, arriving there on 9 Mar 1943 before again entraining for Darwin on 14 March 1943. The battalion arrived in Darwin on 19 Mar 1943, and on 1 July Robert was granted proficiency pay. In early 1944 the battalion relocated to Wallgrove in New South Wales where on 13 Mar 1944 Robert was charged with having been AWOL from 4:00pm on the 12th until 5:00am on the 13th for which he was fined 20/- ($2) and the automatic forfeiture of a day's pay. On 10 Sep 1944 Robert was evacuated to the 107th Australian General Hospital with an accidental injury to his left hand, rejoining his battalion on 19 Sep 1944.
On 16 Nov 1944 he and the battalion were once again relocated to Darwin, and on 21 Nov 1944 they boarded USAT Evangaline in Darwin for Jacquinot Bay on the south coast of New Britain, disembarking there on 26 Nov 1944. From 12 - 15 Dec 1944 Robert was treated by the 2nd Australian Field Ambulance for diarrhaea. Robert was again treated by the 2nd Australian Field Ambulance between 1 and 5 Dec 1945, this time with Cellulitis of the left leg.
On 3 Jan 1946 Robert was transferred to the 52nd Australian General Transport Platoon until 27 Jan 1946. The next day he embarked on SS Georgetown Victory in Rabaul for Brisbane, disembarking there on 4 Feb 1946 and he then made his way to Perth, entering the Western Command Recruit Reception & General Details Depot where he was discharged on 15 Mar 1946.
Post War
On 5 Jan 1952 Robert married Audrey Jean Reynolds (1931 - 2019) in Victoria Park. Son Robert Neil Anderson (1955-1955), another son and a daughter.
Electoral Roll entries: 1958 - 1980 at 2943 Albany highway, Kelmscott, labourer.
Notes
Blanche Anderson - mother of Reta - was a landowner in Kelmscott c.1915. James Anderson - father of Reta - was foreman for the Armadale-Kelmscott Road Board for several years.