Alfred James Gregory

Alfred James Gregory

Personal Information
Date of Birth	26 Sep 1914
Place of Birth	Armadale, Western Australia
Death	15 Aug 1971, aged 56
Place of Death	Victoria Park, Western Australia
Age at Enlistment	26 years, 10 months
Description	5'8" (1.73m) tall ; ; medium complexion ; brown eyes ; brown hair ; scar on left shin
Occupation	Miner
Religion	Church of England
Address	Fourth road, Armadale, Western Australia
Next of Kin	Wife , Mrs Kathleen Mary Gregory
Military Information
Reg Number	W39383 & WX36940
Date of Enlistment	4 Jul 1941
Rank	Private
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, New Britain
Return to Australia
Journey Dates	15 Apr 1945 ‒ 21 Apr 1945
Transport Details	HMT Taroona Jacquinot Bay 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

War Service

Alfred's first enlistment was in the CMF at Kalgoorlie on 4 Jul 1941. He maried Kathleen Mary Wright on 1 Aug 1941 in Kalgoorlie and she later moved to Armadale. Alfred's actual commencement date was 6 Aug 1941 when he commenced with the 13th Training Battalion. On 1 Oct 1941 he was transferred to Western Command Provost Company, and on 7 Nov 1941 he was promoted Acting Corporal. He was then, on 15 Dec 1941, called up for full time service. On 5 Jan 1942 Alfred was chargewd with having disobeyed a lawful command by a Superior Officer for which he was fined 40/- ($4). The same day he reverted to Private and on 16 Jan 1942 he was detached to the Mobile Force until 7 Feb 1942 when he was transferred to 20th Defence & Employment Platoon.

On 20 Apr 1942 Alfred was charged with having been AWOL from 1:00pm on 18 April until 2:30pm the next day. He was awarded 7 days Confined to Barracks and forfeited 2 days pay (12/-). On 21 Apr 1942 he was transferred to HQ 3rd Australian Corps. On 20 Oct 1942 he was charged with 'Failing to appear at a place of parade' for which he was fined 40/- ($4). He was then transferred to the 16th Australian Infantry Battalion (Cameron Highlanders Regiment) on 31 Oct 1942.

On 19 Jan 1943 Alfred was charged with having been AWOL from 4:00pm on 17 Jan 1943 until 11:40pm the same day. Forfeited a days pay and awarded 4 days Confined to Barracks. On 22 Feb 1943 Alfred and the battalion entrained for South Australia, arriving there on the 28th, and on 14 March they again entrained, this time for the Northern Territory. Prior to the later journey Alfred was AWOL from Midnight 11 March until 6:30 am 13 Mar 1943. Forfeited two days pay and was fined an additional 40/- ($4). They arrived in the Northern Territory on 19 Mar 1943. On 15 Apr 1943 Alfred enlisted in the 2nd AIF and on 14 Sep 1943 Alfred was granted proficiency pay.

On 21 Nov 1944 with the rest of his battalion he embarked on USAT Evangaline in Darwin for Jacquinot Bay on the south coast of New Britain, and they disembarked there on 26 Nov 1944. On 15 Apr 1945 he embarked on HMT Taroona in Jacquinot Bay for Brisbane, disembarking there on 21 Apr 1945 and he then proceeded on leave.

Following his leave, on arrival back in Brisbane he was taken on strength by Queensland Lines of Communication Area Leave & Transit Depot to be reallocated. On 3 September he was posted to the 2nd Australian Ordnance Ammunition Repair Factory, remaining with them until 30 Oct 1945, and on 2 Nov 1945 he was transferred back to Western Command Recruit Reception & General Details Depot to take his discharge which occurred on 27 Nov 1945.

Post War

On 6 Nov 1950 Alfred obtained a job as temporary labourer in the Armadale goods yard, and from then until his death he worked for the Western Australian Government Railways, Employment No. 33906. On 7 Aug 1958 as a Carpenter's Assistant he was transferred to Perth, on 21 Nov 1960 to Brunswick Junction, and on 20 Nov 1963 to the West Midland yards.