Robert Thomas Buckenara
From Our Contribution
 | |
| Personal Information | |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | 29 Jun 1924 |
| Place of Birth | 'Pinehurst', Armadale, Western Australia |
| Death | 6 Mar 1983 |
| Place of Death | Padbury, Western Australia |
| Age at Enlistment | 17 years, 9 months |
| Description | 5'6" tall ; ; fair complexion ; blue eyes ; brown hair ; tattoo righ forearm |
| Occupation | Blacksmith - welder |
| Religion | Church of England |
| Address | Lilian street, Scarborough Beach, Western Australia |
| Next of Kin | Father , Mr Clarence Louie Buckenara |
| Military Information | |
| Reg Number | W89695 & WX40080 |
| Date of Enlistment | 29 Jun 1943 |
| Rank | Sapper |
| Unit/Formation | 2/4th Australian Field Squadron, Royal Australian Engineers]] |
| Military Movement | |
| 1st Departure from Australia | |
| Journey Dates | 26 May 1945 ‒ 5 Jun 1945 |
| Transport Details | USAT Maui Brisbane to Morotai |
| Transfers | |
| Journey Dates | 12 Jan 1946 ‒ 15 Jan 1946 |
| Transport Details | unknown Morotai to Ambon |
| Journey Dates | 18 Jan 1946 ‒ 23 Jan 1946 |
| Transport Details | SS Taos Victory Ambon to Rabaul |
| Return to Australia | |
| Journey Dates | 15 Jun 1946 ‒ 21 Jun 1946 |
| Transport Details | Unknown Rabaul to Sydney |
| Post War Details | |
| Fate | Returned to Australia |
| Medals |
Pacific Star War Medal 1939-45 Australian Service Medal 1939-45 |
Pre War
War Service
Enlisted part time in the CMF on 10 Jul 1942 and was called up for full time service on 20 Jul 1942 and was posted as a General Reinforcement to Northam camp. On 30 Jul 1942 Robert joined the 13th Australian Infantry Training Battalion. On completion of his training Robert was designated a Trade Group III Driver before being sent on 7 Dec 1942 to the Army training school at Karrakatta. On 13 Jun 1943 Robert was transferred to the 2nd AASC Training Centre at Claremont where he was allocated to the 9th Auxiliary Horse Transport Company the same day. On 2 Jul 1943 his posting changed to the 3rd Australian Motor Brigade Company AASC. Robert then, on 29 Jun 1943 transferred to the 2nd AIF with a new number of WX40080. On 16 Jul 1943 he relinquished his grading as a Trade Group III (Horse Transport Driver). The announcement of the engagement of Robert to Joy Grey was published in the 24 Aug 1944 West Australian' newspaper.
The next day, on 25 Aug 1944 Robert entrained for New South Wales where on 4 Oct 1944 he marched in to the 1st Australian Base Depot - Personnel, and on 17 Oct 1944 he was transferrewd to 1st RAE Training Battalion, leading to being reclassified as a Group 1 Blacksmith on 4 Nov 1944.. Training was brief as on 30 Oct 1944 Robert was posted to the 21st Field Company. With a bout of bronchitis, Robert was admitted to the 128th Australian General Hospital on 20 Dec 1944, and was released on New Year's Day, enabling him to be back with his unit on 3 Jan 1945. On 19 Jan 1945 Robert was evacuated to the 2nd Australian Camp Hospital with bronchitis. On 19 Jan 1945 he was moved to the 102nd Australian Convalescent Depot to rebuild his strength before returning to duty. On 5 Mar 1945 he was judged to be able to return to duty, and he was back with 21st Field Company RAE on 9 Mar 1945.
Robert and his unit boarded the USAT Maui at Brisbane on 26 May 1945 for Morotai, disembarking there on 5 Jun 1945. On 27 Jun 1945 they embarked on USS LST 714 in Morotai for service in Balikpapan, landing in early July. On 13 Oct 1945 Robert was transferred to 2/4th Australian Field Squadron who allocated him to work with the 11th Australian Workshop & Park Company. On 12 Jan 1946 Robert was transferred to the New Guinea Admin for reposting, and was sent to Ambon. On 18 Jan 1946 Robert was embarked on SS Taos Victory at Ambon, and sailed for Rabaul where he disembarked on 23 Jan 1946. He was posted to 13th Australian Field Company on 29 Jan 1946. His unit changed again on 21 May 1946, as unit wound down and returned to Australia, and he joined 51st Field Park Company.
With an ever decreasing workload at Rabaul, Robert was posted back to Western Australia to undertake discharge and so departed Rabaul on 15 Jun 1946 and arrived back in Australia on 21 Jun 1946. His Discharge was processed by Western Command Recruit Reception & General Details Depot, and he separated from the Army on 8 Jul 1946.
Post War
24 Aug 1944, engagement to Joy Grey was published in the West Australian newspaper. They were married in 1946. Electoral Roll entries: 1958 - 1977 at Watheroo, welder then manager; 1980 - 1983 at 17 Rowlands court, Padbury, manager.
Notes