Edward Henderson Craghill

Edward Henderson Craghill

Personal Information
Date of Birth	6 Jan 1918
Place of Birth	England
Death	6 Apr 1993, aged 75
Place of Death	Shenton Park, Western Australia
Age at Enlistment	22 years, 11 months
Occupation	Truck driver
Religion	Church of England
Address	PO Byford
Next of Kin	Father , Mr. Edward Craghill
Military Information
Reg Number	WX11998
Date of Enlistment	29 Apr 1941
Rank	Private
Unit/Formation	2/2nd Independent Company
Military Movement
1st Departure from Australia
Journey Dates	8 Dec 1941 ‒ 12 Dec 1941
Transport Details	SS Zealandia Darwin to Timor
Transfers
Journey Dates	June 1942
Post War Details
Fate	Wounded in Action 1942 Returned to Australia
Medals	1939-45 Star Pacidic Star Defence Medal War Medal 1939-45 Australian Service Medal 1939-45

Pre War

Edward embarked for Australia via Cape Town aboard SS Bendigo in London on 7 Sep 1922 as a 4 year old with his parents Edward (32yo farm worker) and Constance (33) from Haltwhistle, Northumberland. Arrived in Fremantle 12th ?? October. From 1923 to 1930 he attended school at "Bateman's Homestead, Oaklands' (Group Settlements 29, 30, and 31 Oakford).

War Service

Edward enlisted at Claremont on 19 Apr 1941 and was sent to Northam to join the 3rd Training Battalion. Almost immediately he was granted pre-embartkation leave from 5 - 13 May 1941. On 17 Jun 1941 Edward was charged with having been AWOL from 8:00am on 14 June until midnight 16 Jun 1941. He was awarded 14 days CB (Confined to Barracks) and forfeited three days pay. On 29 Jun 1941 Edward was transferred to the No. 7 Infantry Training Centre in Victoria arriving there on 3 Jul 1941. On 11 Jul 1941 he was again transferred, this time to the 2/2nd Independent Company.

On 16 Sep 1941 the unit moved to South Australia enroute to Darwin where they arrived on 26 Oct 1941. On 29 Nov 1941 in the Northern Territory Edward was charged with Disobeying a lawful command given to him by a superior officer. For this misdomeaner he was fined £2-10-0 ($5, or 10 days pay equivalent).

On 8 Dec 1941 they embarked on SS Zealandia in Darwin for Koepang on Dutch Timor as part of Sparrow Force, part of the promised support for the Dutch East Indies administration. Following the Japanese invasion the 2nd Independent Company moved into the hills where they continued to harrass the Japanese occupiers. Around 2 June 1942 Edward received a wound to his left ear causing deafness, such that he returned to Australia.

On 10 Aug 1942 he marched in to the Western Command Recruit Reception & General Details Depot's Returnees Depot. From 11 - 14 Aug 1942 Edward enjoyed some leave, and on 8 Oct 1942 he was examined by a Medical Board which classed him as B2. He was then released to finish his leave before being sent to the reallocation section

Post War

During 1949 Edward married Marjorie Joan. Electoral Rolls: 1949 - 1968 at 169 Vincent street, North Perth, electric welder; 1972 at 177 Charles street, Perth, electric welder; 1977 - 1980 at 21 Donar street, Innaloo