Derrick Leonard Saw
From Our Contribution
 | |
| Personal Information | |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | 11 Jan 1918 |
| Place of Birth | Armadale, Western Australia |
| Death | 1974 |
| Place of Death | Yeppoon, Queensland |
| Age at Enlistment | 23 years, 5 months |
| Description | 6'4" (1.93m) tall ; ; fair complexion ; blue eyes ; fair hair |
| Occupation | Farm hand |
| Religion | Congregational |
| Address | 'Henton' Armadale, Western Australia |
| Next of Kin | Wife , Mrs Kathleen Marjorie Saw |
| Military Information | |
| Reg Number | WX41032 |
| Date of Enlistment | 12 Jul 1941 |
| Rank | Corporal |
| Unit/Formation | New Guinea Force Provost Company |
| Military Movement | |
| 1st Departure from Australia | |
| Journey Dates | 14 Aug 1944 ‒ 18 Aug 1944 |
| Transport Details | MS Gorgon Townsville to Lae, New Guinea |
| Return to Australia | |
| Journey Dates | 1 Dec 1944 ‒ 5 Dec 1944 |
| Transport Details | HMT Taroona Lae, New Guinea to Townsville |
| Post War Details | |
| Fate | Returned to Australia |
| Medals |
1939-45 Star Pacific Star War Medal 1939-45 Australian Service Medal 1939-45 |
Pre War
Prior to enlisting in the 2nd AIF, Derrick was serving in the militia as a Driver with the Australian Army Service Corps, Regimental Number W40183, serving full time from 12 Jul 1941. The Armadale address was that of his NOK during the war, his enlistment address was Cnr Scott street, and Belmont avenue, Belmont.
War Service
Derrick was enlisted in the CMF in Perth on 12 Jul 1941 and posted to Karrakatta based Motor Transport Battalion. However on 5 Aug 1941 he was admitted to the 110th Australian Base Hospital (later known as Hollywood Repatriation), with meningitis. On 15 Aug 1941 he was transferred to Lucknow No 2 on Stirling Highway Claremont, a private infectious diseases hospital, and on 28 Aug 1941 he was well enough to rejoin his unit. On 27 Oct 1941 he was sent to the Claremont camp to attend a D&M School, after which on 13 Nov 1941 he was transferred to the 278th Light Aid Detachment. On 1 Dec 1941 he was granted a week's leave.
From 31 Jan until 9 Feb 1942 he was sent to a school at Karrakatta, and on 9 May 1942 while his unit was at Point Walter he was married, necessitating a change of NOK. From 23 Jun until 26 Oct 1942 he attended another school, this time at Ascot after which he was transferred to the Western Command Motor Transport Training Depot at Northam. On 23 Jan 1943 the unit name changed to 4th Australian Motor Transport Training Depot. On 9 Aug 1943 he was charged with "Leaving the ranks without permission". Awarded 7 days Confined to Barracks.
On 30 Mar 1943 he transferred to the 2nd Australian Army Ordnance Corps Training Centre and on 16 Oct 1943 to the 137th Australian General Transport Company. On 16 Nov 1943 as a result of a medical reclassification he was transferred to the 56th Australian Special Wireless Section, volunteering the same day to join the 2nd AIF.
On 13 Jan 1944 he was transferred to the 17th Australian Company AASC and on 4 Mar 1944 he entrained in Perth for Queensland where he transferred to the 132nd Australian General Transport Company. On 20 Apr 1944 he was transferred yet again, this time to the 3rd Australian Infantry Division Provost Company, and promoted to Acting Corporal on 26 Apr 1944. He undertook a six week duration course at the Provost Training School, and although he failed to qualify he was recommended for General Provost Duties.
On 14 Aug 1944 Derrick and others boarded MS Gorgon in Townsville, disembarking in Lae, New Guinea on 18 Aug 1944. On 26 Aug 1944 he received a lacerated forehead and was seen by the 9th Australian Field Ambulance (WW2) before being admitted to the 2/7th Australian General Hospital. On 25 Sep 1944 he was discharged and rejoined his unit. On 4 Oct 1944 he was transferred to the New Guinea Force Provost Company and on 3 Nov 1944 his rank of Corporal was confirmed.
Derrick was admitted to the 2/7th Australian General Hospital on 24 Nov 1944 with Dengue Fever, rejoining his unit 5 days later on 29 Nov 1944 in time to board HMT Taroona on 1 Dec 1944 in Lae for Townsville where he disembarked on 5 Dec 1944. Granted leave he rejoined his unit on 30 Jan 1945, remaining with them until he transferred to the WA Line of Command to prepare for discharge on 10 Jan 1946.
Demobilised at the 5th Military District on 29 Jan 1946 with 1663 total days service; 1274 in Australia, and 113 days overseas.
Post War
It appears that at some point Derrick remarried, as after his death, his wife Ruth L. Saw (nee Nothling) wrote from 50 Power street Yeppoon in Queensland to the Army seeking to obtain his unclaimed medals. In her letter she speaks of two sons and a daughter and her husband. Ruth born in 1919, died in 2016.
Electoral Roll entries: 1943 Armadale, soldier; 1949 Bunbury road, Armadale, fitter's assistant; 1954 Forrestdale carpenter's Labourer with Ruth; 1958 - 1972 at 40 Power street Yeppoon, Queensland a farmer with Ruth.
Notes