Roy Searle Williams

Roy Searle Williams

Personal Information
Date of Birth	13 Jan 1919
Place of Birth	Collie, Western Australia
Death	14 Mar 2008, aged 89
Place of Death	Meadow Springs, Western Australia
Age at Enlistment	21 years 1 month
Description	5'7" (1.70m) tall ; ; fresh complexion ; blue eyes ; dark brown hair ; small cut over left eye
Occupation	Orchardist
Religion	Congregational
Address	Cann's road, Bedfordale, Western Australia
Next of Kin	Mother , Mrs. G Williams
Military Information
Reg Number	W9185 & WX30359
Date of Enlistment	6 Mar 1941 &18 Jul 1942
Rank	Private
Unit/Formation	32nd Australian Infantry Training Battalion
Post War Details
Fate	Remained in Australia
Medals	1939-45 Star Defence Medal War Medal 1939-45 Australian Service Medal 1939-45

Pre War

Living in Cann's road, Bedfordale, orchardist

War Service

Roy enlisted in the CMF (part time) on 6 Mar 1941, and on 14 Jul 1941 he was called up for full time service, the same day that Roy was granted 6 days sick leave with Coryza or Rhinitis. On 29 Oct 1941 he was admitted to the 110th Australian Base Hospital with Coryza, remaining withthem until 2 Feb 1942 when he was shifted to what was a convalescent home at 'Keanes Point'. On 5 Feb 1942 he returned to his unit the 5th Australian Anti Aircraft Battery.

In July 1942 Roy's battery was transferred to the 29th Australian Heavy Anti-Aircraft Battery where on 24 Mar 1942 he was appointed a Lance Bombardier. On 5 May 1942 he qualified as a Trade Group III Gun Layer. On 16 Aug 1942 Roy was sent to a Junior NCO Course, rejoining his unit on 3 Sep 1942 which during his absence had been renamed the 135th Australian Heavy Anti Aircraft Battery. On his return he was allocated to the 420 HAA Gun Station at Scotsmans Hill. On 4 Dec 1942 he was promoted Bombadier and then on 22 Jan 1943 Roy and the rest of his unit entrained for the Northern Territory, where they arrived on 4 Feb 1943. On 1 Mar 1943 Roy was granted Proficiency Pay.

Roy was detached to the 2nd Heavy Anti Aircraft Battery from 29 April until 28 May 1943. On 7 Jul 1943 Roy reverted to Gunner, and was graded as a TG III Gun Layer, but reliquished it on 1 Mar 1944. On 17 Jun 1944 Roy was charged with (1) Failing to appear at a place of parade, and (2) being AWOL from 3:00am on 17 June until 9:00am on 20 Jun 1944. He was fined £5 ($10 or 20 days pay), with the automatic forfeiture of a further 4 days pay. He also forfeited his proficiency pay. On 30 Nov 1944 he was transferred to the 101st Australian Anti Aircraft Regiment.

Roy was transferred on 7 Mar 1945 to the 1st Australian Base Depot Personnel before being transferred to the 21st Australian Infantry Training Battalion on 15 Mar 1945. On 2 May 1945 they transferred him to the 32nd Australian Infantry Training Battalion. On 16 July 1945 Roy was arrested in Greta by a Police patrol and charged with being AWOL while a member of the 32nd Australian Infantry Training Battalion. On 16 Jul 1945 he was charged with being beyond the limits of the camp. Roy was fined (10/-). On 27 Jul 1945 he was sent to the 2nd Australian Infantry Special Group, returning to the Training Battalion on 3 Sep 1945, who transferred him on 18 Sep 1945 to the Western Command Recruit Reception & General Details Depot where he was discharged on 23 Oct 1945.

Post War

Electoral Roll entries: 1949 - 1958 c/- AB Cann, Bedfordale, orchardist; 1963 at 75 Aurelian street, Palmyra, driver; 1977 at 18a Valmae road, Riverton, driver; 1980 at 37 Halse crescent, Melville, retired. In early 1990 Roy made application for a War Service Loan for housing.