Stanley Gordon Curtis
From Our Contribution
Wedding of Stan Curtis and Jean Watts. Courtesy Jan Kramer | |
Personal Information | |
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Date of Birth | 18 May 1918 |
Place of Birth | Jarrahdale, Western Australia |
Death | 2 Feb 1942 |
Place of Death | Kokopu, East New Britain, PNG |
Age at Enlistment | 22 years, 4 months |
Next of Kin | Father , Mr Horace Curtis |
Military Information | |
Reg Number | WX10626 |
Date of Enlistment | 14 Jan 1941 |
Rank | Private |
Unit/Formation | 2/1st Independent Company |
Post War Details | |
Monument(s) | Armadale War Memorial WW2 Plaque |
Australian War Memorial | Australian War Memorial |
Medals |
1939-45 Star Pacific Star War Medal 1939-45 Australian Service Medal 1939-45 |
Pre War
In 1925 he was living with his family in Bedfordale. In 1941 he married Arvonia (Jean) Watts (1919 - 2002). Jean later married Thomas William Law and they had a son and five daughters
War Service
Enlisted at the Western Command details Camp at Claremont and was designated a General reinforcement.
From the history of the 2/1st Independent Company, it appears that Stanley was killed when on 2 Feb 1942 the schooner that they were attempting to escape on from larger Japanese forces was sighted by a Japanese plane which subsequently attacked, causing considerable damage to the vessel as well as destroying one of its lifeboats and causing a number of casualties. (Stanley was to die from wounds received). For those that survived the strafing, The Induna Star had begun taking on water and as a result the men were forced to surrender. Under escort by a Japanese aircraft and then later a destroyer, they were instructed to sail to Rabaul where they became prisoners of war.
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