Arthur Edward Pries
From Our Contribution
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| Personal Information | |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | 28 Jul 1922 (Army) ; 29 Jul 1923 (Navy) |
| Place of Birth | Williams, Western Australia |
| Death | 17 Feb 2011, aged 88 |
| Place of Death | Gosnells, Western Australia |
| Age at Enlistment | 18 years, 9 months |
| Description |
5'11" (1.80m) tall ; 136lbs 61.689 kg ; medium complexion ; hazel eyes ; dark brown hair ; scar left thigh and shin |
| Occupation | clerk |
| Religion | Church of England |
| Address | 'Prieslynn', Albany road, Kelmscott, Western Australia |
| Next of Kin | Father , Mr. Edward Heindrich Pries |
| Military Information | |
| Reg Number | W1087 & F5059 |
| Date of Enlistment | 3 Apr 1941 |
| Rank | Trooper & Ordinary Seaman |
| Unit/Formation | 10th Australian Light Horse Regiment ww2 & Various Navy ships |
| Ships Served On | |
| Ship Name | HMAS Warrego |
| Tour Dates | 21 Oct 1943 ‒ 10 Oct 1944 |
| Ship Name | HMAS Wilcannia |
| Tour Dates | 11 Oct 1944 ‒ 1 Nov 1944 |
| Ship Name | HMAS Bungaree |
| Tour Dates | 2 Nov 1944 ‒ 17 Dec 1944 |
| Ship Name | HMAS Ping Wo |
| Tour Dates | 18 Dec 1944 ‒ 24 Jan 1945 |
| Ship Name | HMAS Barcoo |
| Tour Dates | 25 Jan 1945 ‒ 26 Feb 1945 |
| Ship Name | HMAS Kyabra |
| Tour Dates | 27 Feb 1945 ‒ 25 Aug 1945 |
| Ship Name | HMAS Toowoomba |
| Tour Dates | 26 Aug 1945 ‒ 14 Dec 1945 |
| Ship Name | HMAS Geraldton |
| Tour Dates | 15 Dec 1945 ‒ 25 Jan 1946 |
| Ship Name | HMAS Toowoomba |
| Tour Dates | 26 Jan 1946 ‒ 10 Apr 1946 |
| 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
Enlisted part time in the CMF at Victoria Park on 7 Nov 1940 and allocated to the 10th Australian Light Horse Regiment ww2 which was responsible for patrolling coastal areas. However, he didn't enter Bunbury camp until 28 Jan 1941. On 17 Dec 1941 he was called up for full time duty. On 18 Jan 1942 Arthur was admitted to the 110th Australian Base Hospital who released him to LMCH at Wanneroo on 29 Jan 1941. On 4 Feb 1942 he rejoined his unit. On 10 Feb 1942 a Court of Enquiry is entered in his record, but no explanation. On 24 Apr 1942 Arthur was seen by the 8th Australian Casualty Clearing Station who on 15 May 1942 transferred him to the 110th Australian Base Hospital, and they in turn released him to the LMCH on 25 May 1942. On 8 Jun 1942 he was sent to the 109th Australian Convalescent Depot, and on 13 Jul 1942 he was transferred to Western Command Recruit Reception & General Details Depot. On 9 Aug 1942 he was admitted to the 38th Australian Camp Hospital in Northam, rejoining his unit, the 10th Light Horse Regiment on 22 Aug 1942 and remained with them until Arthur was discharged from the Army on 19 May 1943, in order to allow him to enlist in the Navy on 20 May 1943. He then served as a signalman aboard a range of ships, some for very brief periods.
On 11 Oct 1944 Arthur joined HMAS Wilcannia which at the time was moored at No 7 Buoy at Garden Island, Sydney. On 19 Oct 1944 they sailed for New Guinea, calling at Milne Bay and Lae, before Arthur left them at Madang on 1 Nov 1945. The following day he joined the crew of HMAS Bungaree, remaining with her only until 17 Dec 1944 when he was transferred to HMAS Ping Wo. His stay with the Ping Wo was also brief, leaving the ship on 25 Jan 1945 for HMAS Barcoo, another short term posting of only a month. While with the Barcoo it left New Guinea for Sydney for a refit.
Arthur joined the crew of HMAS Kyabra on 27 Feb 1945, remaining with them until 26 Aug 1945 when he joined the crew of HMAS Toowoomba. With the exception of the period 15 Dec 1945 - 25 Jan 1946 when he was a crew member of HMAS Geraldton, Arthur remained with Toowoomba until he was demobilised on 10 Apr 1946.
Post War
During 1948 Arthur married Norma Lorraine Davies (1925- ). He married a second time in the Gascoyne to Thelma Judith Valentine during 1963. On 4 Jun 1953 he embarked on the SS Mooltan in London for Fremantle (alone), listed as a 29 years old salesman.
Electoral Roll entries: 1949 at 12 Ethel street, Carlton, Victoria, clerk; 1949 at 175 Alt street, Haberfeld, NSW, clerk; 1954 at Albany highway, Kelmscott, Constable; 1958 at Brown street, Carnarvon, Police Constable; 1963 at 48 Olivia street, Carnarvon, police constable; 1968 at Onslow, police constable; 1972 at 67 Wheatley street, Gosnells, police officer; 1980 at 188 Eudoria street, Gosnells, police officer