Hubert Laurence Batt
From Our Contribution
 | |
| Personal Information | |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | 28 Jan 1902 |
| Place of Birth | Armadale, Western Australia |
| Death | 19 Mar 1975, aged 73 |
| Place of Death | Ballingup, Western Australia |
| Age at Enlistment | 39 years, 4 months |
| Occupation | Farm hand |
| Religion | Church of England |
| Address | Dandaragan, Western Australia |
| Next of Kin | Brother , Mr William Joseph Batt |
| Military Information | |
| Reg Number | WX13190 |
| Date of Enlistment | 17 May 1941 |
| Rank | Private |
| Unit/Formation | 2/1st Australian Headquarters Guard Battalion |
| Military Movement | |
| 1st Departure from Australia | |
| Journey Dates | 9 Sep 1941 ‒ 23 Sep 1941 |
| Transport Details | HMT Queen Mary Fremantle to Port Tewfik |
| Return to Australia | |
| Journey Dates | 19 Feb 1942 ‒ 28 Mar 1942 |
| Transport Details | HMT Rajula Port Tewfik to Adelaide |
| 2nd Departure from Australia | |
| Journey Dates | 3 Sep 1943 ‒ 6 Sep 1943 |
| Transport Details | HMT Katoomba Townsville to Port Moresby |
| Return to Australia | |
| Journey Dates | 12 Dec 1943 ‒ 14 Dec 1943 |
| Transport Details | unknown Port Moresby to Townsville |
| 3rd Departure from Australia | |
| Journey Dates |
10 Mar 1944 ‒ 132 Mar 1944 "132 Mar 1944" contains a sequence that could not be interpreted against an available match matrix for date components. |
| Transport Details | SS Canberra Townsville to Port Moresby |
| Return to Australia | |
| Journey Dates | 26 Sep 1945 ‒ 26 Sep 1945 |
| Transport Details | plane Nadzab to Townsville |
| Post War Details | |
| Fate | Returned to Australia |
Pre War
Electoral Roll entries: 1925 - 1931 Tambellup, labourer. Was listed as in Dandaragan in the 1941-42 Post Office Directory.
War Service
Hubert enlisted in the 2nd AIF on 17 May 1941 at Claremont and was sent to Northam's 1st Training Battalion. On 10 Jun 1941 he had complete basic drill training and was allocated to reinforcements for the 2/11th Australian Infantry Battalion. Granted pre-embarkation leave from 14 to 21 Jul 1941 he embarked for the Middle East aboard HMT Queen Elizabeth in Fremantle on 9 Sep 1941, disembarking in Port Tewfik on 23 Sep 1941, and he was sent to join the 19th Australian Infantry Training Battalion.
On 4 Nov 1941 Hubert was posted to the Australian HQ Guard Battalion, most likely a member of E Company which provided protection for 1st Australian Corps HQ. On 19 Feb 1942 Hubert embarked on HMT Rajula in Port Tewfik for Adelaide where he disembarked on 28 Mar 1942. He was granted leave from 20 Apr until 7 May 1942. Following leave he reported back to his Company which was now in New South Wales. On 12 Jan 1943 Hubert entrained for Queensland joining C Company of the the newly raised 2/1st Australian Headquarters Guard Battalion on 10 Mar 1943. On 3 Sep 1943 Hubert embarked on HMT Katoomba for Port Moresby, disembarking on 6 Sep 1943 and was now posted to D Company. On 12 December 1943 Hubert embarked in Port Moresby for Townsville where he disembarked on 14 Dec 1943 and proceeded to Western Australia to enjoy 24 days leave.
He returned from leave on 29 Jan 1944, and on 10 Mar 1944 embarked on SS Canberra in Townsville for Port Moresby where he disembarked on 13 Mar 1944. The role of his unit no longer required, on 26 Sep 1944 he emplaned in Nadzab, New Guinea for Townsville, and from there proceeded by train to Western Australia. On 8 Oct 1944 he was in the Western Command Recruit Reception & General Details Depot's Returnees Depot for reposting. On 21 Nov 1944 he was transferred to the 10th Australian Garrison Battalion. However, on 22 Dec 1944 he was returned to the Western Command Recruit Reception & General Details Depot's Discharge Unit to be discharged on Essential Services grounds, and this occurred on 27 Dec 1944.
Post War
Electoral Roll entries: 1958 - 1963 at 45 Albert street Bellevue, labourer; 1968 - 1972 at Teede street, Balingup, retired
Notes
See The Unit Guide - Volume 2 - The Australian Army 1939-1945, pages 2.441 to 2.450 - Graham R McKenzie-Smith - Big Sky Publishing - 2018 for detailed explanation of HQ Defence units.