Gunter Krebs
From Our Contribution
 | |
| Personal Information | |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | 1 Sep 1913 |
| Place of Birth | Bentham, Germany |
| Death | 1997 |
| Place of Death | Randwick, New South Wales. |
| Age at Enlistment | 28 years, 7 months |
| Description | 5'8" (1.73m) tall ; ; fair complexion ; blue eyes ; fair hair |
| Occupation | poultry farmer |
| Religion | Jewish |
| Address | Kelmscott, Western Australia |
| Next of Kin | Wife , Mrs Martha Krebs |
| Military Information | |
| Reg Number | W94607 |
| Date of Enlistment | 3 Apr 1942 |
| Rank | Private |
| Unit/Formation | 12th Australian Employment Company |
| Post War Details | |
| Fate | Remained in Australia |
Pre War
Gunter arrived in Fremantle aboard the SS Oronsay from London on 27 Sep 1938. He was listed as a farmer.
War Service
Initially mobilised on 3 Apr 1942 he was called up for full time duty on 16 Feb 1943. On 22 Feb 1943 he was sent to the 16th Training Company who transferred him to the 12th Australian Employment Company. Gunter had a number of relatively short term detachments: A.D.O.S. (4 - 21 Apr 1943); Australian Staging Camp - Kalgoorlie (30 Apr 1943 to 28 May 1943); Duty Camp Staff Karrakatta (24 - 29 Jun 1943); 7th Works & Parks Company (21 Jul 1943 - 29 Jun 1943); Marrinup Prisoner of War Camp (Camp No 16) (21 Jul - 4 Sep 1943); 66th Australian Anti Aircraft Searchlight Battery, a sub unit of the 29th Australian Heavy Anti Aircraft Battery (13 Sep - 16 Nov 1943). During his time at Marrinup he was deamed proficient and received a small pay rise.
The 12th Australian Employment Company moved to Queensland on 3 Mar 1944, where on 16 Mar 1944 he was charged with: "Conduct to the Prejudice of Good Order and Military Discipline for which he was fined £3 ($6). He also had his proficiency pay stopped. On 25 May 1944 he was charged with willfully injuring public property entrusted to his care for military purposes, for which he was fined 5/- (50 cents). On 18 Sep 1944 he was again deemed to be proficient and received the pay allowance. From 2 Oct 1944 until 3 Jan 1945 he was detached to the Queensland Line of Communication General Duties Depot. On 18 Sep 1945 he was transferred to the 2nd Australian Employment Company who detached him to 2 BAD where on 14 Jan 1946 he was charged with conduct to the prejudice of Good Order and Military Discipline, for which he was fined £3 and forfeited his proficiency pay. On 13 Jun 1946 he was transferred to the New South Wales for discharge on 26 Jun 1946.
Post War
Electoral Roll entries: 1949 at 97 Womerah avenue, Darlinghurst, presser; 1958 at 82 Roslyn Gardens, Darlinghurst, presser; 1963 - 1980 at 16 Long avenue, North Ryde, presser.
Notes
During the period 1939 - 1945 some unit names changed more than once. In the case of Australian Employment Companies they were also known as Works Companies, Labour Companies, Labour Units, Labour Corps. For sake of consistency I have adopted the term Employment Company. The role they played did not change with title. They were established to ensure that the Australian Defence Force had a large force of soldiers dedicated to essential labouring tasks, providing the physical labour needed to maintain the war effort and support the fighting forces.
Of the total of 39 Companies, 11 were part or fully manned by non British citizens known then as 'aliens'. These alien companies were not issued with arms. The 12th Company was one of them, raised in WA but later moving to Queensland.