Victor Wallace Fowler
From Our Contribution
 | |
| Personal Information | |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | 14 Jan 1923 |
| Place of Birth | Canning, Western Australia |
| Death | 4 Jun 2008 |
| Place of Death | Como, Western Australia |
| Age at Enlistment | 18 years, 3 months |
| Description | 5'7" (1.70m) tall ; ; fresh complexion ; blue eyes ; brown hair |
| Occupation | labourer |
| Religion | Church of England |
| Address | Railway avenue, Armadale, Western Australia |
| Next of Kin | Father , Mr Henry Victor Fowler |
| Military Information | |
| Reg Number | F/3588 |
| Date of Enlistment | 5 May 1941 |
| Rank | Able Seaman |
| Unit/Formation | HMAS Geraldton |
| Military Movement | |
| 1st Departure from Australia | |
| Journey Dates | 18 Jul 1942 ‒ 2 Jan 1946 |
| Transport Details | HMAS Geraldton |
| Post War Details | |
| Fate | Returned to Australia |
| Medals |
1939-45 Star Pacific Star Africa Star War Medal 1939-45 Australian Service Medal 1939-45 |
War Service
Victor was mobilised into the Navy on 5 May 1941 at HMAS Leeuwin in Fremantle where he completed basic training, and on 17 Aug 1941 he was transferred to HMAS Cerberus until 23 Nov 1941 to complete his seamanship training. Transferred back to the Leeuwin on 24 Nov 1941 he qualified to act as an Able Seaman on 5 May 1942.
On 18 Jul 1942 he was posted to HMAS Geraldton a corvette used as a minesweeper and convoy escort. The Geraldton had been sent to Fremantle to escort a tanker to a secret base on Addu Atoll in the Indian Ocean, after which she spent time on convoy protection duties between Ceylon (Sri Lanka) and the Persian Gulf. In May 1943 they were transferred for a time to the Mediterranean to escort convoys and to participate in the invasion of Sicily. In October 1943 the Geraldton returned to Persian Gulf convoy protection until he return to Australian waters in early 1945. On 5 May 1944 Victor had been awarded his first Good Conduct Badge..
In June 1945 the Geraldton escorted a convoy to Manus Island and then to Leyte Gulf in the Philippines. At the conclusion of hostilities they were sent to Hong Kong to participate in the Japanese surrender, and then carried out anti-pirate patrols before returning to Brisbane. In January 1946 the Geraldton was back in Fremantle and Victor entered HMAS Leeuwin to undertake his discharge on 15 Jan 1946.
At the time of his discharge Victor received his Deferred Pay, War Gratuity Payment of £120 /15/-; and £43/14/4d in lieu of leave.
Post War
During 1949, Victor married Gwendoline Joy Mansbridge
Electoral Roll entries: 1949 Railway avenue, Armadale, shop Assistant; 1949 at 50 Lawler street, shop assistant; 1963 - 1980 at 32 Lake avenue, Shenton Park, fireman.
Notes
Entries in Victor's records beyond 30 Jun 1943 are in pencil, but appear to be consistent with Victor remaining a member of the Geraldton's crew until the end of the war.