138th Australian General Transport Company

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Brief History

The 138th Australian General Transport Company was formed in July 1942 at Moora in Western Australia from part of the 121st Reserve Motor Transport Company. In August they moved to Chidlows, and then in December to Melville while undertaking general transport duties throughout the southern portion of the state. In March 1943 the unit moved to Werribee (near Wundowie) with four understrength platoons that were brought up to strength in September, before the unit relocated to Bushmead. A platoon moved to Marble Bar to support the development of an airfield at Corunna Downs with the unit (less one platoon) joining them in December. By March 1944 the unit was concentrated at Marble Bar, reduced to three platoons soon after. Their major role was to transport bombs and general stores from Port Hedland to Corunna Downs, and in June they moved to Port Hedland. In September 1944 Company HQ and one platoon moved to Onslow, and in October they had operational platoons at Onslow, Noonkanbah, and Port Hedland.

With declining activity in the north west, the unit was withdrawn to Melville in December 1944, and it left for Wallgrove in New South Wales during February 1945. They were disbanded there in June 1945.

Unit Personnel

• Nathaniel Fergus Gallager early 1942 - 18 May 1945
• Ronald Arthur Grafham ?? Aug 1942 - 7 Dec 1945
• Victor Emanuel Valli 20 Aug 1942 - 21 Jan 1943
• Mervyn Maitland 3 Jan - 23 Feb 1943
• William Robert Hayward 18 Mar - 12 May 1943
• Percival Norman (Percy) Buckingham 17 Apr 1943 - 16 May 1945

Notes

Content has come from The Unit Guide - Volume 5 - The Australian Army 1939-1945, page 5.200 - Graham R McKenzie-Smith - Big Sky Publishing - 2018