Eric Raymond Willison
From Our Contribution
 On CMF enlistment | |
 2nd AIF enlistment | |
| Personal Information | |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | 3 Dec 1922 |
| Place of Birth | Claremont, Western Australia |
| Death | 25 Sep 2003, aged 80 |
| Place of Death | Embleton, Western Australia |
| Age at Enlistment | 18 years 9 months |
| Description | 5'8" (1.73m) tall ; ; fair complexion ; blue eyes ; dark brown hair ; appendix scar |
| Occupation | Truck driver |
| Religion | Church of England |
| Address | Fifth road, Armadale, Western Australia |
| Next of Kin | Mother , Mrs. Florence Geddes |
| Military Information | |
| Reg Number | W22822 & WX34233 |
| Date of Enlistment | 17 Oct 1942 |
| Rank | Sapper |
| Unit/Formation | 69th Australian DCRE (Works) |
| Military Movement | |
| 1st Departure from Australia | |
| Journey Dates | 27 Aug 1945 ‒ 13 Sep 1945 |
| Transport Details | HMT Duntroon Sydney to Singapore |
| Return to Australia | |
| Journey Dates | 15 Oct 1945 ‒ 24 Oct 1945 |
| Transport Details | SS Moreton Bay Singapore to Fremantle |
| Post War Details | |
| Fate | Returned to Australia |
| Medals |
War Medal 1939-45 Australian Service Medal 1939-45 |
Pre War
Eric had completed 6th Standard at the Armadale (?) State School.
War Service
Eric was mobilised into the CMF on a part time basis on 19 Sep 1941, and on 16 Oct 1941 he was called up for 180 day's training. He had been posted to HQ Western Command Engineers allocated to the 56th Field Park Company. Soon after on 15 Dec 1941 he was called up for full time service, after which on 17 Jan 1942 Eric was detached to 7th Australian Army Troops Company. he returned to his normal unit on 29 Mar 1942. He was then transferred to the 10th Australian CRE (Works) on 1 Oct 1942, and there, on 17 Oct 1942 he enlisted in the 2nd AIF with Army Number WX34233.
From 19 Oct 1942 until 14 Nov 1942 Eric attended a training course at the School of Instruction. On 20 Dec 1942 Eric was transferred to 68th Australian DCRE (Works), where on 1 Jul 1943 he was granted proficiency pay. On 13 Mar 1943 Eric had married Dorothy Gwendoline Crain in Perth. He was then transferred on 23 Oct 1943 to the 69th Australian DCRE (Works).
On 16 Sep 1944 Eric and his unit entrained for New South Wales where on 30 Dec 1944 Eric was charged with having: 1) Neglected to obey Camp Standing Orders, and 2) Failing to appear at a place of parade appointed by his Commanding Officer. Eric was fined £2 and awarded 7 days Confined to Barracks, as well as forfeiting his proficiency pay. On 13 Feb 1945 Eric's daughter Erica Robyn was born. Eric undertook a two week Driver and Mechanic course at the LHQ (Aust) Scool of Mechanization in New South Wales from 7 - 21 Apr 1945, having been again awarded proficiency pay from 7 April.
On 6 Aug 1945 Eric was transferred to the 1st Royal Australian Engineers Training Battalion who in turn transferred him on 21 Aug 1945 to the 5th Australian Army Troops Company. He embarked in Sydney aboard HMT Duntroon on 27 Aug 1945 for Singapore where he disembarked on 13 Sep 1945. His records don't indicate the type of service he provided while in Singapore, but he embarked there on 15 Oct 1945 aboard SS Moreton Bay for Fremantle where he disembarked on 24 Oct 1945, posted to the Western Command Recruit Reception & General Details Depot to prepare for his discharge which occurred on 26 Nov 1945.
Post War
Dorothy died 22 Jun 2006 in Embleton, aged 85. Electoral Roll entries: 1943 at 13 Hamilton street, East Perth, military; 1949 - 1958 'Tilsworth' Wooroloo, hospital attendant; 1963 - 1968 at 6 Brown street, orderly; 1972 - 1980 at 28 Howes crescent, Dianella, orderly.
Notes