Harold Philip Orton
From Our Contribution
 | |
| Personal Information | |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | 22 Apr 1914 |
| Place of Birth | Armadale, Western Australia |
| Death | 2 Sep 1969, aged 55 |
| Place of Death | Bolgart, Western Australia |
| Age at Enlistment | 28 years, 2 months |
| Description | 5'4½" (1.64m) tall ; ; fair complexion ; Hazel eyes ; fair hair ; scar on right cheek |
| Occupation | Farm hand |
| Religion | Methodist |
| Address | 76 Parker street, Bassendean, Western Australia |
| Next of Kin | Mother , Mrs Amy Selina Orton |
| Military Information | |
| Reg Number | W38761 & WX27563 |
| Date of Enlistment | 25 Jun 1942 |
| Rank | Private |
| Unit/Formation | 28th Australian Infantry Battalion (The Swan Regiment) |
| Military Movement | |
| 1st Departure from Australia | |
| Journey Dates | 24 Dec 1944 ‒ 30 Dec 1944 |
| Transport Details | SS Swartenhondt Darwin to Jacquinot Bay, New Britain |
| Return to Australia | |
| Journey Dates | 20 Dec 1945 ‒ 29 Dec 1945 |
| Transport Details | SS Trienza Rabaul, New Britain to Melbourne |
| Post War Details | |
| Fate | Returned to Australia |
| Medals |
1939-45 Star Pacific Star Defence Medal War Medal 1939-45 Australian Service Medal 1939-45 |
Pre War
Father was Ebenezer R Orton.
War Service
Harold enlisted in the CMF part time at Goomalling on 24 Aug 1941 and was called up for full time duty on 21 Feb 1942 when he was posted to the 28th Australian Infantry Battalion (The Swan Regiment) at Melville camp. He enlisted in the 2nd AIF in the field at Moora on 25 Jun 1942, and on 1 Sep 1942 he was evacuated to the 8th Casualty Clearing Station's Main Dressing Station before returning to his battalion on 8 Sep 1942. However, on 16 Sep 1942 he was again in their care before being transferred on 17 Sep 1942 to the 2/1st Australian General Hospital. Harold was discharged from hospital on 23 Oct 1942 and rejoined his battalion on 30 Sep 1942.
On 27 Feb 1943 Harold entrained for Adelaide, arriving there on 7 Mar 1943. On 25 Mar 1943 after some training he entrained for the Northern Territory, arriving there on 28 Mar 1943. On 1 Jul 1943 Harold was granted profficience pay, and he remained with the battalion in the Northern Territory until they embarked aboard SS Swartenhondt in Darwin on 24 Dec 1944 for Jacquinot Bay on the south coast of New Britain. With the war over, on 19 Dec 1945 Harold was transferred to the 2/14th Field Regiment for a day before embarking in Rabaul on 20 Dec 1945 aboard SS Trienza for Melbourne where he disembarked on 29 Dec 1945. Sent back to Western Austalia he was discharged on 21 Feb 1946 by the Western Command Recruit Reception & General Details Depot.
Post War
Harold worked for the Western Australian Government Railways on several occasion : from 24 Feb until 7 Oct 1960 at Dalwallinu as a repairer, and from 31 Mar 1964 until his death as a repairer at Bolgart.
Electoral Roll entries: 1949 c/- A. Schell, Goomalling, farm hand; 1958 Goomalling, farm hand; 1963 Dalwallinu, railway employee
Notes