Mervyn Maitland
From Our Contribution
 | |
 Ancestry.com | |
| Personal Information | |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | 17 Dec 1920 |
| Place of Birth | Melville, Western Australia |
| Death | 28 Mar 1967 |
| Age at Enlistment | 21 years, 7 months |
| Description | 5'8½" (1.74m) tall ; ; dark complexion ; hazel eyes ; black hair |
| Occupation | Market Gardener |
| Religion | Roman Catholic |
| Address | Armadale, Western Australia |
| Next of Kin | Mother , Mrs Rose Harrison Maitland |
| Military Information | |
| Reg Number | WX27230 & W8621 |
| Date of Enlistment | 7 Aug 1942 |
| Rank | Corporal |
| Unit/Formation | 139th Australian General Transport Company |
| Military Movement | |
| 1st Departure from Australia | |
| Journey Dates | 15 May 1945 ‒ 26 May 1945 |
| Transport Details | USAT Sea Barb Townsville to Morotai via Biak |
| Return to Australia | |
| Journey Dates | 23 Apr 1945 |
| Post War Details | |
| Fate | Returned to Australia |
| Medals |
1939-45 Star Pacific Star War Medal 1939-45 Australian Service Medal 1939-45 |
Pre War
War Service
Prior to enlisting in the 2nd AIF Mervyn had served in the CMF full time from 1 Oct 1941 until 6 Aug 1942. Prior to his callup for full time service Mervyn had attended a P & RT training course at Ascot (Perth) from 2 Aug - 10 Sep 1941. Despite having scored an average of 61% on the course, it was said that he was 'not the type'. On 24 Sep 1941 he was appointed Lance Corporal, and after being called up for full time service with the 16th Australian Infantry Battalion (Cameron Highlanders Regiment), he attended a training course in Guildford.
Mervyn was AWOL from 11:00pm on 20 Jan 1942 until midnight the next day. He forfeited his rank and two day's pay. The following day he was transferred to the 10th Reconnaissance Battalion, and on 24 Feb 1942 he was charged with: 1) Conduct to the prejudice of good order and military discipline for unlawfully being in possession of property belonging to the Army - fined 10/- ($1); 2) Loses by neglect Public Property - one carrier, water bottle. Admonished by his CO at Wanneroo and fined 5/6d (55 cents). On 11 Apr 1942 he was found guilty of being AWOL for a day and was Confined to Barracks for which he forfeited 3 day's pay and was fined 60/- ($6). This led to him being detached on 21 Apr 1942 to the 10th Australian Light Horse Regiment ww2 where on 18 May 1942 he was again AWOL and fined 20/- ($2). On 31 May 1942 he returned to the 10th Reconnaissance Battalion.
On 9 Jun 1942 Mervyn was in need of medical attention from the 6th Australian Field Ambulance, and two days later he was sent on to the 8th Australian Casualty Clearing Station, before returning to his unit on 23 Jun 1942, where he was again detached immediately to the 10th Light Horse Regiment at Wanneroo. On 9 Jul 1942 he was transferred to the 139th Australian General Transport Company and on 7 Aug 1942 he made the transfer from Militia service to become a member of the 2nd AIF.
In trouble soon after, on 23 Sep 1942 he was sentenced to 14 days detention having been found guilty of: 1) Failing to appear at a place of parade; and 2) Conduct to the prejudice of good order and military discipline. He returned to his unit on 6 Oct 1942 where he remained until he was detached to the 138th Australian General Transport Company from 3 Jan 1943 until 23 Feb 1943. Assessed as proficient on 1 Jul 1943, from 19 Aug until 14 Sep 1943 he attended a course at Karrakatta. On 4 Oct 1943 he was granted 7 days leave. On his return he was detached to the 137th Australian General Transport Company.
On 20 Apr 1944 he was charged with neglect for losing his pay book, and fined 10/-. On 28 Jun 1944 he was fined 20/- ($2), this time for: Conduct to the prejudice of good order and military discipline - using obscene language. A month later on 24 Jul 1944 he was found guilty of having been AWOL from midnight 21 Jul until 8:15am on 22 Jul 1944. He was then sent on another course at the 3rd Australian Corps School, this time from 2 - 30 Sep 1944. While the name of the course is not listed, the result is. - Failed!
Back with the 137th Australian General Transport Company he was on 2 Dec 1944 charged with having failed to obey Standing Orders for Motor Transport Drivers in that he: a) entered the Beaconsfield Hotel while on duty; and b) left his vehicle unattended. For these indiscretions he was fined 40/-($4), and he also forfeited his proficiency pay.
Mervyn was transferred to the 5th Australian Advanced Reinforcement Depot on 2 Feb 1945, and after a few months bouncing from one depot to another he boarded the USAT Sea Barb in Townsville on 15 May 1945 for Morotai, disembarking on 26 May 1945. Granted proficiency pay again on 29 May 1945, on 29 Nov 1945 he was promoted Corporal while with the 2/11th Australian Army Troops Company at Morotai. On 23 Apr 1946 he was transferred to Western Command for discharge which occurred on 20 Jun 1946.
Post War
Spent 1 week in November 1966 as a temporary Goods Porter with the WAGR in Perth.
Notes