Actions

Percy John Powell

From Our Contribution

Revision as of 22:25, 13 September 2022 by Linton (talk | contribs) (War Service)
(diff) ← Older revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff)
Percy John Powell
Powell Percy John.jpg
Personal Information
Date of Birth 4 Apr 1907
Place of Birth Wungong, Western Australia
Death 17 Jul 1993
Place of Death Mundijong, Western Australia
Age at Enlistment 35 years 3 months
Description 5'8½" (1.74m) tall ; ; fair complexion ; blue eyes ; fair hair
Address Ninth avenue, Armadale
Next of Kin Mother , Mrs Minnie Powell
Military Information
Reg Number W4879 & WX30317
Rank Bombardier
Unit/Formation 554th Australian Light Anti-Aircraft Battery (Static)
Military Movement
1st Departure from Australia
Journey Dates 23 Mar 1944 ‒ 27 mar 1944
Transport Details MS Gorgon Townsville to Merauke, Dutch New Guinea
Return to Australia
Journey Dates 19 Oct 1944 ‒ 28 Oct 1944
Transport Details SS Thedens Merauke to Brisbane
2nd Departure from Australia
Journey Dates 6 Aug 1945 ‒ 11 Aug 1945
Transport Details HMAS Westralia Brisbane to Torokina
Return to Australia
Journey Dates 24 Nov 1945 ‒ 28 Nov 1945
Transport Details HMAS Westralia Torokina to Brisbane
Post War Details
Fate Returned to Australia
Medals Pacific Star
War Medal 1939-45
Australian Service Medal 1939-45



Pre War

Electoral Roll entries: 1936 - 1943 at Ninth avenue, Armadale, labourer.

War Service

Percy enlisted full time in the CMF on 11 Sep 1940, and was posted to the 5th Australian Anti Aircraft Battery. In July - August 1941 he attended a training course at Swanbourne, and on 15 Aug 1941 he was promoted Bombardier. Soon after, on 19 Dec 1941 he was promoted Sergeant. Percy was transferred to the HQ element of 5th Australian Anti Aircraft Battery and enlisted in the 2nd AIF on 22 Aug 1942, before joining the 419th Gun Station at Buckland Hill on 22 Sep 1942. On 22 Oct 1943 he transferred to the 423rd Gun Station at South Beach, and then on 4 Jan 1943 he was detached to the 4th Australian Anti Aircraft Battery, which on 9 Feb 1943 embarked on SS Koolinda for Exmouth in the North West disembarking on 11 Feb 1943. Soon after the US Naval base closed and the Anti Aircraft battery was released to protect airfields in the north West.


On 27 Apr 1943 Percy was detached to HQ 172nd Australian Light Anti Aircraft Battery, before transferring to the 26th Australian Anti Aircraft Battery on 28 Jul 1943. Percy voluntarily reverted to the rank of Bombardier on 18 Aug 1943 when he transferred to the 116th Australian Light Anti Aircraft Regiment. On 15 Feb 1944 Percy entrained for Victoria, and soon after for Queensland where on 23 Mar 1944 Percy and his unit the 172nd Australian Light Anti Aircraft Battery embarked on MS Gorgon in Townsville for Merauke in Dutch New Guinea with them disembarking there on 27 Mar 1944. On 19 Oct 1944 Percy boarded SS Thedens at Merauke for the return journey to Brisbane where he disembarked on 28 Oct 1944. Soon after he required medical treatment for Dermatitis and didn't rejoin his unit until 18 May 1944,

Percy embarked for Bougainville aboard HMAS Westralia, departing Brisbane on 6 Aug 1945 for Torokina, disembarking there on 11 Aug 1945. His stay on Bougainville was short, as on 24 Nov 1945 at Torokina, Percy embarked on HMAS Westralia for Brisbane where he disembarked on 28 Nov 1945. Sent back to Western Australia to take his discharge, Percy joined Western Command Recruit Reception & General Details Depot on 15 Dec 1945 where he was discharged on 20 Dec 1945.

Post War

During 1964 Percy married Gwendoline Mary Champion.

Electoral Roll entries: 1949 Ninth avenue, Armadale, labourer; 1958 Forrest road, Armadale, labourer; 1968 - 1972 at 112 South-west highway, Armadale, tractor driver; 1980 - 1993 at 11A Rigoll road, Mundijong, driver.

Notes


External Links