2nd (Fremantle) VDC Battalion

[[File:]]

Brief History

Volunteer defence Corps (VDC) Battalions were initially raised outside the military framework by the RSL who were keen to be involved in any defence of Australia. Formed in July 1940 they had no formal role, until they were taken over by the Army and incorporated in the CMF on 15 May 1941. Other civilian units included the Vulnerable Points Guard and teh Post Office Volunteer Corps. Once taken over they were tasked with being prepared to strengthen/reinforce Garrison Battalions who were formed to contribute to the defence of Australia; provide staff for internment camps; and guard vulnerable points. Original recruitment was men with previous Imperial Military Service, those under 60 being available for full time duties. In February 1940 4,464 men were enlisted in Western Australian VDC units. Australia wide there were 110 VDC Battalions in October 1942. Australia wide there were 49 fatalities amongst VDC personnel, with one in Western Australia.

Battalion Personnel

A

• Ronald Vincent Aitken
• William Alderson
• Vincent Edgecombe Alexander
• Joseph Victor Allen
• Victor Ross Anderson
• George Neil Gow Armstrong
• Wilfred Henry Babb
• John Arthur Banyard
• George Walker Beales
• William John Bennett
• George Bett 22 Mar 1942 -  ??
• Arthur Leworthy Bettenay
• Charles Leonard Bishop
• Robert Keith Blackburn
• Alfred Thomas Brixey
• Albert Edward Brockwell
• James George Brockwell
• Henry Gottlieb Brooks
• Alan James Brown
• Albert Victor Buckingham
• Ronald William Buckingham
• Leonard James Burton
• Ernest Frank Butson
• Roy Cameron-Smith
• Allan Bernard Cann
• Walter Charles Cann
• Leonard Charles Cant
• Frederick Charles Clarke
• James Collier
• William Frederick Cox
• John James Croasdale
• Hammond Thomas Cross
• Melville Eric Cull
• Leslie Cornelius Cull
• William Hasker Davenport
• Alfred James Davies*
• John Victor Doley
• William Dykes Dougall
• Harold George Dyson
• Donald Alexander Eatt
• Gordon James Eatts
• John Ernest England
• Eric William Evans
• Austin Faulkner
• Stewart Roderick Angus Ferguson
• Raymond Foster
• Henry Victor Francis
• Francis William French
• Dennis Douglas Frye
• Leonard Edward Golding
• Robert Edward Gray
• David Gwynne
• William Hall ww2
• Bernard Alphonsus Hastie
• Raymond Douglas Hibben
• John Edward Hill
• John Hinsley
• Percy Sydney Holman
• James Alexander Kierath MID
• Reginald Robert Kennedy
• James WIlliam Lannam
• Frank Lillicott (Jim) Leaver
• Harry Leaver
• Norman Frederick Lee
• Ramsay MacDonald (Mack) Lightbody
• George William Lockhead
• John Roy Longmore
• Eaneas Malthais Lorenz
• Joseph Charles Lori
• Jack Alfred Luff
• William (George) Lyster
• Alfred Septimus Martin
• Ernest Gordon Martin
• George Henry Martin MM MID
• Herbert (Bert) Martin
• Harold Jesse William (Charlie) Masters
• James Michael Thomas Mathews
• Emanuel Mills
• August Young Moennich
• William George Morcombe
• Matthew Oliver Mullane
• Harry Eric Nairn
• Norman Henry Napier
• Stephen North

John Edward Roland Pailthorpe Reginald Arthur Pascoe Frederick Thomas Payne Clement Edward Pike Leslie Raymond Poad Henry Powell David Langus Pumphrey R Robert James Ralphs Edward Hughes Raymond John Norman Roberts S Talbot Samuel Salter William Thomas Saw Thomas Scott Harry Siebner Clarence Edwin Smith Percival Stubbs V John William Valli Archie George Veitch W Samuel Edward Ward Alan Harry Wilkinson Reginald Owen Williams Ernest Wood