William John Martin (16379)

William John Martin (16379)

Personal Information
Date of Birth	6 Jun 1921
Place of Birth	Subiaco, Western Australia
Age at Enlistment	18 Years, 11 months
Description	5'5½" (1.66m) tall ; 155lbs 70.307 kg ; medium complexion ; blue eyes ; dark brown hair ; arge scar on inner side left knee
Occupation	Labourer
Religion	Church of England
Address	Clifton road, Byford
Next of Kin	Mother , Mrs Violet Maud Martin
Military Information
Reg Number	16379
Date of Enlistment	30 Apr 1940
Rank	Sergeant
Post War Details
Fate	Returned to Australia
Medals	1939-45 Star Pacific Star Defence Medal War Medal 1939-45 Australian Service Medal 1939-45

Pre War

Had worked as a farm hand for 18 months and for 4 years as a labourer at the State Brickworks in Byford prior to enlisting. During 1926 he was living at Cardup and attending Byford School.

War Service

Bill enlisted at No 4 Recruiting Centre on 30 Apr 1940 and was sent to No. 4 Recruit Depot RAAF Pearce, mustered as a Messman. From 8 May until 17 May 1940 Bill undertook a recruit drill course. On 5 Jun 1940 Bill was transferred to the No. 1 Engineering School RAAF at Ascot Vale in Victoria, initially for training, but later he became a member of staff. From 6 - 13 Feb 1941 Bill was admitted to the No. 2 RAAF Hospital. On 20 Mar 1941 Bill was appointed as a Leading Aircraftman, but on 6 Jun 1941 when he re-mustered from Messman to Cook, he reverted to Aircraftman, before again being appointed Leading Aircraftman on 20 Jul 1941. On 24 Feb 1942 Bill was transferred to Squadron HQs at Ascot Vale, and soon after on 16 May 1942 he was posted to No. 2 Embarkation Depot RAAF who then allocated him to HQ RAAF Port Moresby.

On 27 Jul 1942 Bill was transferred to Operational Base Fall River, the No 1 strip at Milne Bay, which was subsequently renamed to Operational Base Gurney at Milne Bay, New Guinea. On 30 Oct 1942 the unit's name changed again, this time to No. 43 Operational Base Unit RAAF. From 9 - 23 Feb 1944 Bill was admitted to No. 4 Convalescent Depot RAAF. On 18 Mar 1943 at Milne Bay Bill was charged with ..'at or about 6:00am on 18 Mar 1943 when questioned by F/O LUSH as to whether the tea was made, said "NO" & being further asked why, said.."I didn't ....... know". When told to make the tea he replied "I will when I make the toast" & when told by F/O LUSH to address his superiors as Sir, said "GOOD OH" '. He was fined three days pay, but it probably said a lot more about F/O Lush than Bill Martin.

On 13 Oct 1943 Bill was transferred to No. 1 Reserve Personnel Pool RAAF and on 25 Oct 1943 to No. 5 Embarkation Depot RAAF where on 18 Dec 1943 he became a member of that unit's staff. Bill was promoted Tewmporary Corporal on 1 Aug 1944. He was transferred on 26 Jan 1945 to No. 4 Personnel Depot RAAF and then on 5 Mar 1945 to No. 2 Reserve Personnel Pool RAAF. The next day he was sent to No. 5 Repair & Servicing Unit RAAF, where he was promoted to Acting Sergeant on 18 Oct 1945. Bill remained with them until 6 Mar 1946 when he was transferred to No. 5 Personnel Depot RAAF to undertake his discharge wher ehe was discharged on 27 Apr 1946 with his address then being 5 John street, Armadale.

Post War

Electoral Roll entries: 1977 at 32 McLarty road, Pinjarra, truck driver ?