Alan Henry Brockwell
From Our Contribution
 | |
| Personal Information | |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | 18 Jun 1913 |
| Place of Birth | Boulder, Western Australia |
| Death | 23 Feb 1995, aged 81 |
| Place of Death | Safety Bay, Western Australia |
| Age at Enlistment | 28 years, 7 months |
| Description | |
| Occupation | carpenter |
| Religion | Church of England |
| Address | Byford, Western Australia |
| Next of Kin | Wife , Ms Catherine Ann Brockwell |
| Military Information | |
| Reg Number | WX19454 |
| Date of Enlistment | 2 Feb 1942 |
| Rank | Private |
| Unit/Formation | 2/5th Australian Infantry Battalion |
| Military Movement | |
| 1st Departure from Australia | |
| Journey Dates | 24 Nov 1944 ‒ 25 Nov 1944 |
| Transport Details | HMT Duntroon Cairns to Aitape, PNG |
| Return to Australia | |
| Journey Dates | 24 Dec 1945 ‒ 31 Dec 1945 |
| Transport Details | HMT Taroona Wewak to Brisbane |
| Post War Details | |
| Fate | Returned to Australia |
Pre War
In 1924 the family were living in Clifton road, Byford. Electoral Roll entries: 1936 Byford, labourer; 1937 at Corunna Downs station, Marble Bar, station hand. On 23 Dec 1941 Alan married Catherine Ann Rinaldi in Gedraldton.
War Service
Enlisted at Claremont on 2 Feb 1942, and a week later was sent to the Trade Training Depot in Claremont. Six months later on 24 Aug 1942 he was transferred to the 13th Australian Infantry Training Battalion at Northam and was taken on by the AIF General Reinforcements. On 23 Sep 1942 Alan was detached to the 7th Australian Army Troops Company and on 7 Dec 1942 he was detached to 66th Australian DCRE (Works) Merredin where he remained until 29 Sep 1943. On 19 Nov 1943 Alan was posted to the 44th Australian Infantry Battalion (West Australian Rifle Regiment) which on 11 Feb 1944 entrained for Queensland. In June 1944 Alan was granted a lengthy break from service in WA, part annual leave, part LWOP, and part compasionate. On 15 Sep 1944 he returned from leave and began the journey back to his new unit the 2/5th Australian Infantry Battalion which he joined on 21 Sep 1944.
Alan embarked on the HMT Duntroon in Cairns on 24 Nov 1944, disembarking in Aitape on 27 Nov 1944 and he served with the 2/5th Battalion until it was winding down in order to return to Australia. On 21 Nov 1945 Alan was transferred to the 2/7th Australian Infantry Battalion and on 8 Dec 1945 to the 2/2nd Australian Infantry Battalion. Alan embarked on HMT Taroona in Wewak on 24 Dec 1945 and disembarked in Brisbane on 31 Dec 1945. On 2 Jan 1946 Alan was posted to the Western Command Recruit Reception & General Details Depot to organise his discharge which occurred on 22 Jan 1946.
Post War
Electoral Roll entries: 1954 Wickepin, builder with Catherine Ann; 1963 at Mardathuna Station, Carnarvon, job contractor; 1968 - 1977 at 5 Hehir street Belmont, builder; 1980 at 28 Matthews Place. Belmont, retired. Catherine Ann died 31 May 1975 at Belmont, aged 68
Notes