Rex Gordon Vellender
From Our Contribution
 | |
| Personal Information | |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | 10 Feb 1927 |
| Place of Birth | Winchcombe, England |
| Death | 25 Jan 2012, aged 84 |
| Place of Death | Carlisle, Western Australia |
| Age at Enlistment | 18 years, 1 month |
| Description | 5'7½ (1.71m) tall ; ; fair complexion ; blue eyes ; fair hair ; scar on outside left leg |
| Occupation | Garage assistant |
| Religion | Church of England |
| Address | John street, Armadale, Western Australia |
| Next of Kin | Father , Mr John Vellender |
| Military Information | |
| Reg Number | W42348 & WX42307 |
| Date of Enlistment | 5 Mar 1945 |
| Rank | Signalman |
| Military Movement | |
| 1st Departure from Australia | |
| Journey Dates | 29 Mar 1946 ‒ 13 Apr 1946 |
| Transport Details | USAT Pachaug Victory Sydney to Kure, Japan |
| Return to Australia | |
| Journey Dates | 4 Nov 1947 ‒ 18 Nov 1947 |
| Transport Details | HMAS Kanimbla Kure, Japan to Sydney |
| Post War Details | |
| Fate |
Remained in Australia ww2 Served with BCOF Japan Returned to Australia |
| Medals |
War Medal 1939-45 Australian Service Medal 1939-45 Australian Service Medal 1945-75 |
Pre War
Two year old Rex arrived in Fremantle on 27 Nov 1929 with his parents aboard SS Vedic from Liverpool England, having departed there on 19 Oct 1929. Many of the migrants on the ship were sponsored by the Salvation Army.
War Service
Rex enlisted in the CMF at Karrakatta on 26 Feb 1945 having just turned 18 years old. He converted to the 2nd AIF on 5 Mar 1945, and left for the 4th Australian Recruit Training Battalion in New South Wales on 10 Mar 1945, arriving there on 21 Mar 1945. On 4 Jun 1945, basic training completed, he was transferred to the 1st Australian Signals Training Battalion and was granted proficiency pay from 26 Aug 1945.
On 1 Mar 1946 Rex was posted to the BCOF Signals and on 29 Mar 1946 he embarked in Sydney aboard USAT Pachaug Victory for Kure in Japan, disembarking there on 13 Apr 1946. The next day he joined the 112th Telex Operations Section. On 26 Jul 1946 he was admitted to the 92nd Indian General Hospital with an infection, returning to his unit on 7 Aug 1946. On 14 August he was charged with Failing to appear at a place of parade appointed by his Commanding Officer - for which he was awarded 3 days Cofined to Barracks. On 18 Jan 1947 he was charged with Conduct to the Prejudice of Good Order and Military Discipline and was fined £1 ($2).
On 3 May 1947 Rex was admitted to the 80th British General Hospital in Japan with Urethritis Supp, returning to his unit on 12 May 1947. On 1 July he was reclassified from Sig Proficient to Sig 1 Star. On 2 Nov 1947 Rex was posted home to undergo discharge, and on 4 Nov 1947 he boarded HMAS Kanimbla in Kure for Sydney where he disembarked on 18 Nov 1947. Proceeeding to Western Australia, he arrived on 30 Nov 1947 and was discharged on 12 Dec 1947
Post War
During December 1996 he resided at 26A Roberts road, Lathlain Park.
Notes