Alexander Rhone
From Our Contribution
 | |
| Personal Information | |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | 2 Dec 1920 |
| Place of Birth | Subiaco, Western Australia |
| Death | 16 Dec 1996, aged 76 |
| Place of Death | Sale, Victoria |
| Age at Enlistment | 21 years 10 months |
| Occupation | Gardener |
| Religion | Church of England |
| Address | Kelmscott, Western Australia |
| Next of Kin | Father , Mr Albert Rhone |
| Military Information | |
| Reg Number | WX34132 |
| Date of Enlistment | 13 Oct 1942 |
| Rank | Signaler |
| Unit/Formation | 9th Australian Infantry Division Signals Company |
| Military Movement | |
| 1st Departure from Australia | |
| Journey Dates | 13 Mar 1945 ‒ 24 Mar 1945 |
| Transport Details | USAT Sea Ray Brisbane to Morotai |
| Transfers | |
| Journey Dates | 4 May 1945 |
| Transport Details | HMAS Westralia Morotai to Tarakan |
| Journey Dates | 5 Jul ‒ 12 Jul 1945 |
| Transport Details | SS William H Ashley Tarakan to Morotai |
| Journey Dates | 27 Aug 1945 ‒ 1 Sep 1945 |
| Transport Details | SS Joseph Carrigan Morotai to Labuan |
| Return to Australia | |
| Journey Dates | 7 Feb 1946 ‒ 16 Feb 1946 |
| Transport Details | SS Lake Charles Victory Labuan to Brisbane |
| Post War Details | |
| Fate | Returned to Australia |
| Medals |
1939-45 Star Pacific Star War Medal 1939-45 Australian Service Medal 1939-45 |
Pre War
War Service
Called up for full time duty (Militia) at Melville camp on 18 Jul 1941. At enlistment he was sent to HQs Balledonia Sub area (Esperance), before being posted to Kalamunda on 5 Jun 1942. On 11 Sep 1942 he was detached to Kalgoorlie where on 12 Oct 1942 he resigned in order to join the 2nd AIF. On 2 Nov 1942 he was detached again, this time to the North West Sub Area Line of Command. On 15 Apr 1942 he was charged with having been AWOL from mid day 9 Apr until 8:30am on 15 Apr 1942. For this he was Admonished and forfeited 6 days pay. On 6 Nov 1943 he disembarked in Fremantle from the MV Koolinda ex North West area, and on 11 Dec 1943 he entrained for Victoria and the 1st Australian Signals Training Battalion, joining them on 15 Jan 1944.
On 5 Feb 1944 he was admitted to the 106th Australian General Hospital with an infection, rejoining his unit on 10 Feb 1944. Alex then attended a Marconi School of Wireless Operator's Course, followed by participating in the Signals Operators Course No. 12 before returning to the 1st Australian Signals Training Battalion on 26 May 1944. Trade tested on wireless and line, he qualified as an operator and on 15 Sep 1944 marched out to the 5th Australian Reinforcement Depot. On 10 Nov 1944 he was transferred to the 18th Australian Operating Section where on 7 Mar 1945 he was regraded as a Group 1 Operator Signaler.
In Brisbane on 13 Mar 1945 Alex embarked on the [USAT Sea Ray]] for Morotai, disembarking there on 24 Mar 1945. On 4 May 1945 he embarked on HMAS Westralia for Tarakan in north east Borneo. His return trip was aboard SS William H Ashley, embarking in Tarakan on 5 Jul 1945 and disembarking at Morotai on 12 Jul 1945. On 27 Aug 1945 he embarked on the SS Joseph Carrigan at Morotai for Labuan in British North Borneo, disembarking there on 1 Sep 1945 where he joined the 9th Australian Infantry Division Signals Company. On 7 Feb 1946 he embarked on the Victory Ship SS Lake Charles Victory for Brisbane, disembarking on 16 Feb 1946. Alex was discharged on 11 Apr 1946 in Victoria.
Post War
On 30 Mar 1946 Alex married Norma Catherine Harrington (1923 - 1988) in Victoria.
Electoral roll entries: 1949 - 1954 at 2 Wall street, Noble Park, Victoria, carpenter; 1963 - 1980 at 25 Wall street, Noble Park, Victoria, carpenter;
Notes