Lawrence Gerald McDonough
From Our Contribution
 | |
| Personal Information | |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | 13 Jan 1910 |
| Place of Birth | Armadale, Western Australia |
| Death | 1 Jan 1960 |
| Age at Enlistment | 30 years, 2 months |
| Occupation | Truck driver |
| Religion | Roman Catholic |
| Address | 33 Napoleon street, Cottesloe, Western Australia |
| Next of Kin | Wife , Mrs Kathleen McDonough |
| Military Information | |
| Reg Number | 16077 (RAAF) & WX16380 (Army) |
| Date of Enlistment | 20 Mar 1940 & 8 Sep 1941 |
| Rank | Driver |
| Military Movement | |
| 1st Departure from Australia | |
| Journey Dates | 6 Sep 1942 ‒ 8 Oct 1942 |
| Transport Details | Ship P4 in Convoy U 16 Fremantle to Middle East |
| Post War Details | |
| Medals |
1939-45 Star Africa Star Pacific Star War Medal 1939-45 Australian Service Medal 1939-45 |
Pre War
War Service
Initial enlistment was with the RAAF (records not available), enlisting on 20 Mar 1940 in Perth, and he was discharged on 8 Jun 1941 while an Aircraftman 1 at the 1st Aircraft Depot in Laverton, Victoria. He appears to have returned to Western Australia, as his enlistment in the Army on 8 Sep 1941 was from an address in Cottesloe. A week after enlisting in the army he was allotted to the 10th Armoured Regiment at Northam camp.
On 23 Nov 1941 he and his unit were transferred to Victoria. There on 5 Dec 1941 he was charged with Conduct to the prejudice of good order and Military discipline. The next day he was charged with failing to appear at a place of parade. The penalty for each of the two offences was 3 days confined to barracks. On 14 Dec 1941 he was admitted to the 7th Australian General Hospital in Puckapunyal with an infection and remained with them for a week, being discharged to his unit on 17 Dec 1941. On 28 Dec 1941 he was posted to the 2/2nd Independent Light Tank Squadron at Foster, Victoria. During February 1942 he was hospitalised in the Foster Camp Hospital with an in-growing toenail. Lawrence was AWOL from midday 4 Mar 1942 to 10:30am 5 Mar 1942 earning him 7 days confined to barracks. He was AWOL again from 11:00am until 1:30pm on 28 Mar 1942, earning a £1 fine, and then on 24 Apr 1942 he was AWOL from 11:15 am until 2:10pm. In addition he was charged with Neglecting to obey Standing Orders by delaying his return to the unit, and for leaving his vehicle unattended. This time he was fined £2.
On 25 May 1942 he was transferred back to Western Australia, to the Recruit Training Battalion. Following training and a week's leave he was posted to the 2/28th Battalion's reinforcements on 17 Jul 1942, and on 6 Sep 1942 he boarded "P4", a ship in Convoy US 16 for the Middle East where he disembarked on 8 Oct 1942. Sent to the Staging Camp on arrival he was taken on strength by the 2/28th Australian Infantry Battalion on 5 Nov 1942. However his ingrowing toe nail was again a problem in need of medical attention on 10 Nov 1942 when he was admitted to the 2/3rd Australian Field Ambulance. He rejoined the battalion a fortnight later on 24 Nov 1942. On 16 Dec 1942 his NOK was changed to his daughter Ida who was living at 229 Cambridge street, Wembley.
On 24 Jan 1943 he embarked with his battalion on 'L1' HMT Queen Mary in Port Tewfik for Fremantle where they arrived on 24 Jan 1943. Following leave, they were transferre to South Australia
On 6 Jul 1944 his NOK was altered to reflect his second wife, Elizabeth Mary who he had married on 10 May 1944 and who was living at 94 Westbury street, St Kilda.
Discharged on medical grounds - sinusitis with bronchial asthma on 28 Mar 1945.
Post War
Notes
Lawrence's Africa Star came with the 8th Army Clasp.