Keith Raymond Mills
From Our Contribution
 | |
| Personal Information | |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | 22 Jul 1924 |
| Place of Birth | Bunbury, Western Australia |
| Death | 26 Mar 2006, aged 81 |
| Place of Death | Bayswater, Western Australia |
| Age at Enlistment | 17 years, 9 months |
| Description | 5'7½ (1.71m) tall ; ; fair complexion ; blue eyes ; fair hair ; scar on right hip |
| Occupation | Dairy hand |
| Religion | Salvation Army |
| Address | Seventh road, Armadale, Western Australia |
| Next of Kin | Father , Mr. John Mills |
| Military Information | |
| Reg Number | W62008 |
| Date of Enlistment | 3 Apr 1942 |
| Rank | Private |
| Unit/Formation | 2/6th Australian Field Ambulance |
| Military Movement | |
| 1st Departure from Australia | |
| Journey Dates | 11 Mar 1945 ‒ 17 Mar 1945 |
| Transport Details | HMT Katoomba Townsville to Jacquinot Bay, New Britain |
| Return to Australia | |
| Journey Dates | 28 May 1945 ‒ 1 Jun 1945 |
| Transport Details | SS Van Outhorn Jacquinot Bay to Cairns |
| Post War Details | |
| Fate | Returned to Australia |
| Medals |
Pacific Star War Medal 1939-45 Australian Service Medal 1939-45 |
Pre War
War Service
On 3 Apr 1942 Keith was mobilised as a General Reinforcement for the CMF, and on 2 Feb 1943 was called up for full time service. On 13 Feb 1943 he was transferred to the 5th Heavy Artillery Training Battery at Fremantle. On 29 Dec 1943 Keith was admitted to the 110th Australian Base Hospital, and following treatment he was released to the 109th Australian Convalescent Depot where on 30 Jan 1944 he was charged with having been AWOL from 10:15pm on 29 Jan 1944 until 7:00am on 30 Jan 1944. He was fined 20/- ($2) and forfeited a day's pay. On 2 Feb 1944 Keith rejoined his unit, Olivers Hill Battery on Rottnest.
On 27 Mar 1944 Keith was again in strife, being charged with failing to appear at the place of parade appointed by his Commanding Officer. Fined 10/- ($1) or roughly 4 days pay. On 19 May 1944 he was charged with failing to appear at another parade, and was awarded 7 days Confined to Barracks. Ironically four days later he was granted proficiency pay. With reduced need for Coastal Artillery, on 21 Dec 1944 he was transferred to the Western Command Recruit Reception & General Details Depot for reposting.
On 6 Jan 1945, there was little need for him in Western Australia and hence he was transferred to the 1st Australian Base Depot - Personnel in New South Wales. He was identified for posting to the 5th Australian Division Recreation Camp and to facilitate this move be boarded HMT Katoomba in Townsville on 10 Mar 1945 for Jacquinot Bay on New Britain, disembarking there on 17 Mar 1945. Once there he was posted to the 6th Australian Field Ambulance on 20 Mar 1945. On 28 May 1945 at Jacquinot Bay his unit boarded the SS Van Outhoorn for Cairns, disembarking there on 1 Jun 1945 enroute to being disbanded. On 28 Aug 1945 he was again up for re-allocation, but was dispatched back to the Western Command Recruit Reception & General Details Depot , arriving with them on 28 Sep 1945.
On 6 Feb 1946 he was transferred to a holding unit for the troops earmarked for British Commonwealth Occupation Forces in Japan, However on 14 Feb 1946 he was charged with being AWOL from 8:00am on 11 Feb 1946 until 8:00am on 14 Feb 1946. He was fined 20/- ($2) and forfeited 3 days pay. Perhaps as a result, he was transferred on 29 Mar 1946 to the discharge element of the general details depot where he was discharged on 2 Apr 1946 on compassionate grounds.
Post War
Electoral Roll entries: 1949 at 195 Grand Promenade, Inglewood, tram conductor. Divorced in 1951. Son 14 years old in Oct 1956, two other children and address of Keith not known for 2 years. In 1970 Keith applied for a replacement discharge certificate, giving is address as 1068 Hay street, West Perth.
Notes