Miran Radovanovic
From Our Contribution
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| Personal Information | |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | 5 Nov 1901 |
| Place of Birth | Pupnat, Korcula, Yugoslavia (now Croatia) |
| Age at Enlistment | 41 years, 4 months |
| Occupation | Brick maker |
| Religion | Roman Catholic |
| Address | Byford, Western Australia |
| Next of Kin | wife , Mrs. Marya Radovanovic |
| Military Information | |
| Reg Number | W61910 |
| Date of Enlistment | 26 Mar 1942 |
| Rank | Private |
| Unit/Formation | 12th Australian Employment Company |
| Post War Details | |
| Fate | Remained in Australia |
Pre War
Miran arrived in Fremantle during August 1938 aboard the SS Romolo having boarded it in Genoa, Italy. He was married in April 1929 in Croatia with his wife still living there at time of his enlistment with 3 children.
War Service
Miran was called up on 26 Mar 1942, enlisting at Claremont, and was taken on full time from 6 Oct 1942. On 10 October he was posted to the 12th Australian Employment Company. His first detachment was to the 9th Advanced Ammunition Sub Depot at Ardath (south of Bruce Rock) from 31 Oct 1942. However, on 25 Jul 1943 he was admitted to the 75th Australian Camp Hospital who transferred him on 27 July to the 118th Australian General Hospital at Northam. On 13 Aug 1943 he was discharged to A.R.D. and he was then released to duty at Ardath on 19 Aug 1943. However, on 23 Sep 1943 he was admitted to the Merredin Hospital with Cystitis and they transferred him the next day to 118th Australian General Hospital. On 29 September they released Miran to the A.R.D., and on 6 Oct 1943 he was back with his parent unit.
On 7 Oct 1943 Miran was detached for three weeks to the 9th Advanced Ammunition Sub Depot No. 2 Sub Depot at Booran, and this was followed by a number of other very short term detachments until 8 Dec 1943 when he was admitted to the 110th Australian Base Hospital. On 19 Dec 1943 Miran was in Albany, detached to the Artillery Battery, but he was back in Fremantle for Christmas. On 21 Feb 1944 Miran was transferred to Western Command Recruit Reception & General Details Depot for discharge on 22 Feb 1944.
Post War
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.