Forrest John Spencer Robertson
From Our Contribution
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| Personal Information | |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | 9 Dec 1910 |
| Place of Birth | Cannington, Western Australia |
| Death | 23 Sep 1999, aged 88 |
| Place of Death | Perth, Western Australia |
| Age at Enlistment | 30 years, 6 months |
| Description | 6'2" (1.88m) tall ; ; medium complexion ; blue eyes ; light brown hair |
| Occupation | Labourer |
| Religion | Church of England |
| Address | 36 Mile, Albany road, Armadale, Western Australia |
| Next of Kin | Wife , Mrs Amy Joan Robertson |
| Military Information | |
| Reg Number | WX14063 |
| Date of Enlistment | 11 Jun 1941 |
| Rank | Private |
| Unit/Formation | 65th Australian Bulk Issue Petrol & Oil Depot Platoon |
| Military Movement | |
| 1st Departure from Australia | |
| Journey Dates | 26 Sep 1941 ‒ 20 October 1941 |
| Transport Details | SS Marnix van Sint Aldegonde Fremantle to Port Tewfik via Colombo |
| Return to Australia | |
| Journey Dates | 30 Jan 1942 ‒ 8 Feb 1942 |
| Transport Details | ? Egypt to Bombay |
| Journey Dates | 13 Feb 1942 ‒ 24 Mar 1942 |
| Transport Details | SS Esperance Bay Bombay to Adelaide via Colombo |
| 2nd Departure from Australia | |
| Journey Dates | 17 Jan 1943 ‒ 21 Jan 1943 |
| Transport Details | SS Cleveland Abe Townsville to Milne Bay PNG |
| Transfers | |
| Journey Dates | 10 Feb 1943 ‒ 14 Feb 1942 |
| Transport Details | ? Milne Bay to Oro Bay |
| Return to Australia | |
| Journey Dates | 29 Feb 1944 ‒ 4 Mar 1944 |
| Transport Details | HMT Taroona Milne Bay PNG to Townsville |
| 3rd Departure from Australia | |
| Journey Dates | 6 Jun 1944 ‒ 9 Jun 1944 |
| Transport Details | HMT Taroona Townsville to Milne Bay |
| Return to Australia | |
| Journey Dates | 27 Aug 1944 ‒ 2 Sep 1944 |
| Transport Details | SS Juan Pablo Duarte |
| 4th Departure from Australia | |
| Journey Dates | 10 Apr 1945 ‒ 22 Apr 1945 |
| Transport Details | USAT Sea Ray Brisbane to Morotai |
| Return to Australia | |
| Journey Dates | 24 Nov 1945 ‒ 5 Dec 1945 |
| Transport Details | HM LST 346 Morotai to Brisbane |
| Post War Details | |
| Fate | Returned to Australia |
| Medals |
1939-45 Star Pacific Star Defence Medal War Medal 1939-45 Australian Service Medal 1939-45 |
Pre War
Electoral Roll entry: 1943 at 36 mile Albany road, Armadale, farmer.
War Service
Forrest enlisted on 11 Jun 1941 and two days later was posted to the Naval Base Recruit Training Depot. A week later he transferred again, this time to the 3rd Training battalion, and on 1 July this chanfged when he joined the 2nd Training Battalion as a member of the 6th Division Cavalry reinforcements. From 29 July to 12 August he attended a training course at the M.T. School, before enjoying pre-embarkation leave from 26 Aug - 1 Sep 1041.
Forrest embarked on SS Marnix van Sint Aldegonde which was part of Convoy 12B on 26 Sep 1941, and following a 2 day layover in Colombo, disembarked at Port Tewfik on 20 Oct 1941.
Trade Group III Tinsmith
discharged 20 Dec 1945
Post War
During discharge procedures Forrest advised that he had 5 children under 16 and one over 16 years old. During 1957 Forrest married Catherine Alice McGregor. Forrest was on one of those properties within the Wungong Catchment forced to move when the dam was built.
In September 1976 his medals were posted to 21 Canterbury terrace, East Victoria Park.
Electoral Roll entries: 1949 - 1958 at 36 mile, Albany road, Armadale, farmer; 1963 - 1980 at 21 Canterbury terrace, driver.
Notes