David John Sexty
From Our Contribution
 | |
| Personal Information | |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | 11 Oct 1919 |
| Place of Birth | Perth, Western Australia |
| Death | 3 Aug 1941 |
| Place of Death | Tobruk, Libya |
| Age at Enlistment | 20 years, 8 months |
| Occupation | Clerk |
| Religion | Church of England |
| Address | Armadale, Western Australia |
| Next of Kin | Father , Mr Reginald Grove Sexty |
| Military Information | |
| Reg Number | WX6358 |
| Date of Enlistment | 16 Jul 1940 |
| Rank | Corporal |
| Unit/Formation | 2/28th Australian Infantry Battalion |
| Military Movement | |
| 1st Departure from Australia | |
| Journey Dates | 3 Jan 1941 ‒ 12 Jan 1941 |
| Transport Details | HMT Aquitania Fremantle to Colombo |
| Transfers | |
| Journey Dates | 16 Jan 1941 ‒ 2 Feb 1941 |
| Transport Details | HMT Nieuw Zeeland Colombo to El Kantara |
| Post War Details | |
| Fate | KIA 3 Aug 1941 Libya |
| Monument(s) |
Armadale War Memorial WA State War Memorial |
| Australian War Memorial | Australian War Memorial |
| Medals |
1939-45 Star Africa Star War Medal 1939-45 Australian Service Medal 1939-45 |
Contents
Pre War
David was working as a clerk with ElderSmith & Compny, Perth. He had also enlisted inthe CMF on 19 Jan 1939 for three years and had been posted to the 10th Light Horse Regiment.
War Service
David enlisted in the 2nd AIF on 16 Jul 1940 and was alloted to the General Reinforcements. On 19 Jul 1940 he was sent to the Naval Base Training Camp until 25 Jul 1940 when he was posted to the 2/28th Australian Infantry Battalion then forming up at Melville Camp. He was appointed Lance Corporal on 2 Aug 1940, and promoted Acting Corporal on 16 Aug 1940. From 26 - 31 Aug 1940 he attended an Anti Gas Course. From 27 Nov 1940 until 3 Dec 1940 David was granted pre-embarkation leave, and on 3 Jan 1941, with the battalion, he boarded HMT Aquitania for Colombo where they disembarked on 12 Jan 1941. On 14 Jan 1941 they boarded HMT Nieuw Zeeland which sailed fo El Kantara on 16 Jan 1941. The battalion disembarked there on 2 Feb 1941.
On 3 Jan 1941 David' rank of Corporal had been confirmed and on 11 Mar 1941 he attended a course at the Middle East Weapons School on rifle and Light Machine Guns, rejoining the battalion on 21 Apr 1941. On 3 Aug 1941 David was reported as having been Wounded in Action and was now Missing. It was later confirmed that he had been Killed in Action on 3 Aug 1941. The action involved was the failed Australian attack by 'D' Company of the 2/28th Battalion on German held outposts known as Sugar 6 and Sugar 7, part of a problematic German salient into the Australian defensive perimeter around Tobruk.
Extract from the battalion's War Diary for 3 August 1941. AWM Website - accessed 26 Nov 2022
Notes