Nigel Croudson
From Our Contribution
 | |
| Personal Information | |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | 31 Aug 1927 |
| Place of Birth | Subiaco, Western Australia |
| Age at Enlistment | 17 years 5 months |
| Description | 5'3½" (1.62m) tall ; ; fresh complexion ; blue eyes ; brown hair |
| Occupation | Bible student |
| Religion | Church of England |
| Address | Railway avenue, Kelmscott, Western Australia |
| Next of Kin | Father , Mr Frank Croudson |
| Military Information | |
| Reg Number | 33960 |
| Date of Enlistment | 17 Apr 1945 |
| Rank | Able Seaman |
| Unit/Formation | HMAS Ararat |
| Military Movement | |
| 1st Departure from Australia | |
| Journey Dates | 8 Dec 1945 ‒ 14 Jan 1946 |
| Transport Details | HMAS Glenelg |
| 2nd Departure from Australia | |
| Journey Dates | 12 Feb 1946 ‒ 18 Aug 1946 |
| Transport Details | HMAS Murchison |
| 3rd Departure from Australia | |
| Journey Dates | 21 Oct 1946 ‒ 18 Mar 1947 |
| Transport Details | HMAS Ararat |
| 4th Departure from Australia | |
| Journey Dates | 18 Mar 1947 |
| Transport Details | LST 3008 |
| Post War Details | |
| Fate | Remained in Australia |
Pre War
War Service
Enlisted in the RANR from 17 Apr 1945 until 10 Mar 1946 when he was transferred to the RAN. Following training at HMAS Cerberus he was posted to HMAS Torrens in South Australia on 23 Sep 1945 having been rated as an Ordinary Seaman on 31 Aug 1945. There he was rated as an Able Seaman on 31 Aug 1946. He spent a period beginning on 8 Dec 1945 as a temporary crew member on HMAS Glenelg. His records are not clear as to when this posting finished, but HMAS Glenelg was paid off into reserve at Fremantle on 14 Jan 1946.
Nigel was posted to HMAS Murchison on 12 Feb 1946 as she left for Japan for duty with the occupation forces, until May 1946 when she returned to Australia. Nigel's time on HMAS Murchison finished on 8 Aug 1946. On 21 Oct 1946 Nigel's records have him joining the crew of LST 3501 (later named HMAS Labuan), but also HMAS Ararat. The second entry is the more likely, with him remaining in her crew until 18 Mar 1947. In the postwar period she had spent most of her time on mine clearance operations in Australian and waters around New Britain, New Ireland and the Solomon Islands.
On 18 Mar 1947 Nigel was posted to LST 3008, and then on 1 Nov 1947 to LST 3035 HMAS Lae. He was discharged on 5 Apr 1948
Post War
Notes