Walter Vivian Ernest Peters
From Our Contribution
 | |
| Personal Information | |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | 9 Oct 1919 |
| Place of Birth | Kalgoorlie, Western Australia |
| Death | 19 Apr 2003, aged 83 |
| Place of Death | Albany, Western Australia |
| Age at Enlistment | 20 years, 9 months |
| Description | 5'8" (1.73m) tall ; ; dark complexion ; blue grey eyes ; black hair ; scar on right foot |
| Occupation | Wood cutter |
| Religion | Church of England |
| Address | c/- Post Office Byford, Western Australia |
| Next of Kin | Mother , Mrs Mary Ellen Peters |
| Military Information | |
| Reg Number | WX9430 |
| Date of Enlistment | 4 Dec 1940 |
| Rank | Private |
| Unit/Formation | 2/28th Australian Infantry Battalion |
| Military Movement | |
| 1st Departure from Australia | |
| Journey Dates | 5 Jul 1941 ‒ 25 Jul 1941 |
| Transport Details | HMT Aquitania Convoy US 11A Fremantle to Port Tewfik |
| Return to Australia | |
| Journey Dates | 24 Jan 1943 ‒ 18 Feb 1943 |
| Transport Details | HMT Queen Mary Port Tewfik to Fremantle via Massawa & Maldive Islands |
| 2nd Departure from Australia | |
| Journey Dates | 4 Aug 1943 ‒ 11 Aug 1943 |
| Transport Details | SS Van der Lijn Cairns to Milne Bay, Papua |
| Return to Australia | |
| Journey Dates | 15 May 1944 |
| Transport Details | plane New Guinea to Townsville |
| Post War Details | |
| Fate | Returned to Australia |
| Monument(s) | ANZAC Memorial Park (Byford) |
| Medals |
1939-45 Star Africa Star Pacific Star Defence Medal War Medal 1939-45 Australian Service Medal 1939-45 |
War Service
Enlisted at the Recruit Reception Depot Claremont, and two days later was sent to the Naval Base Depot to begin training. On 21 Jan 1941 he was transferred to the No. 2 Training Battalion at Northam where on 25 Feb 1941 he was transferred to the 13th Australian Infantry Training Battalion as a member of the 7th reinforcement draft for the 2/28th Battalion. This changed on 17 Apr 1941 when he was transferred to the 6th draft.
Walter was granted pre-embarkation leave from 23 Apr 1941 to 1 May 1941, and on 5 Jul 1941 he proceeded overseas on HMT Aquitania a part of Convoy US 11A from Fremantle. While aboard, on 24 Jun 1941 he was charged with 'having been on 19 Jun 1941, smoking on Parade'. For this he was awarded 3 days Confined to Barracks, but given they were on a ship this will have been exercised through giving him additional duties. On 25 Jul 1941 he disembarked at Port Tewfik on the Suez Canal and was sent to the 24th Australian Infantry Training Battalion. Here he was AWOL from 5:00pm on 10 Sep 1941 until 11:15 am on 11 Sep 1941, for which he was fined 10/- ($1), and automatic forfeiture of 1 day's pay. On 12 Sep 1941 he marched out to AIF (ME) Staging Camp, and on 4 Oct 1941 he was taken on strength by the 2/28th Australian Infantry Battalion and posted to its 'B' Company.
On 13 Jan 1942 Walter was charged with 'Failing to appear at the place of parade appointed by his Commanding Officer". Found guilty he was awarded three days Confined to Barracks (CB). On 7 Jul 1942 he was transferred to the Infantry Training Battalion until 20 Jul 1942, rejoining his battalion via the Staging Camp on 23 Jul 1942. On 24 Jan 1943 he boarded HMT L1 Queen Mary for Fremantle, disembarking on 18 Feb 1943.
On 9 Apr 1943 Walter caught a train to the Adelaide area, and then on to Queensland where on 4 Aug 1943 he boarded the SS Van der Lijn for Milne Bay where they landed on 11 Aug 1943. Walter had been granted efficiency pay back dated to 1 Jul 1943. On 14 Sep 1943 he was evacuated to the 2/3rd Australian Casualty Clearing Station and on 27 Sep 1943 he was sent to the 2/5th Australian General Hospital with hip problems. There on 19 Oct 1943 he was reclassified 'B' and discharged to the New Guinea Force General Details Depot.
Walter was transferred to the 18th Australian Line of Command Signals on 28 Oct 1943 and on 29 Apr 1944 he forfeited his proficiency pay as a result of being found guilty the day before of "Conduct to the prejudice of good order and Military discipline....' Sadly his records don't record the deed. He was fined £4/10/- ($9) indicating it was serious. On 2 May he was transferred again to the New Guinea Force General Details Depot for transfer to WA and discharge. On 15 May 1944 he was flown from New Guinea to Townsville. Walter was discharged by Western Command in Perth on 29 May 1944.
Walter served in the Middle East from 5 Jul 1941 until 19 Feb 1943 and in New Guinea from 5 Aug 1943 until 16 May 1944.
Post War
Married to Frances Boronia (27 Jul 1925 - 10 Sep 1992) during 1941. Children were Shirley, Sandra, Joy and Debra.
Electoral Roll entries: 1949 at 514 William street, North Perth, truck driver; 1954 at 2 Axford street Como, cartage contractor; 1958 at 5 Wakefield crescent, Albany, cartage contractor; 1963 - 1977 at 95 Cockburn road, Albany, contractor; 1980 at 34 Geake street, Spencer Park, contractor
Notes
Convoy US 11A comprised HMT Aquitania, HMT Queen Mary and HMT Queen Elizabeth. Aquitania is the only one that entered the harbour and thus I have credited it with carrying Walter to war.