Robert Ralph Thompson
From Our Contribution
 | |
| Personal Information | |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | 7 Jul 1921 |
| Place of Birth | Guildford, Western Australia |
| Death | 7 Nov 1965, aged 44 |
| Place of Death | Port Hedland, Western Australia |
| Age at Enlistment | 18 years, 4 months |
| Occupation | labourer |
| Religion | Chiurch of England |
| Address | Fifth road, Armadale, Western Australia |
| Next of Kin | Mother , Mrs. Minnie Florence Thompson |
| Military Information | |
| Reg Number | WX6509 |
| Date of Enlistment | 16 Jul 1940 |
| Rank | Driver |
| Unit/Formation | 7th Australian Infantry Division Ammunition Company |
| Military Movement | |
| 1st Departure from Australia | |
| Journey Dates | 10 Feb 1941 ‒ 22 Feb 1941 |
| Transport Details | unknown Fremantle to Bombay |
| Transfers | |
| Journey Dates | 26 Feb 1941 ‒ 13 Mar 1941 |
| Transport Details | unknown Bombay to Port Tewfik |
| Return to Australia | |
| Journey Dates | 30 Jan 1942 ‒ 25 Feb 1942 |
| Transport Details | SS Île de France Port Tewfik to Colombo |
| Journey Dates | 1 Mar 1942 ‒ 24 Mar 1942 |
| Transport Details | HMT Eastern Prince Colombo to Port Adelaide |
| Post War Details | |
Pre War
Attended Serpentine School
War Service
Robert enlisted at Claremont on 16 Jul 1940 and on 19 July reported to the Naval Base Training Depot. He was then transferred to Northam Camp on 28 Oct 1940 where he was placed in the No. 1 Depot Battalion before being posted to the No. 2 Depot Battalion. From 21 - 29 Dec 1940 he was granted pre-embarkation leave, and on his return he was transferred to the 2nd Reinforcement draft for the 2/16th Battalion. On 8 Jan 1941 Robert was admitted to a hospital in Subiaco, and on his discharge on 14 Jan 1941 he was transferred to the 13th Australian Infantry Training Battalion.
Robert's records are missing for the period 15 Jan 1941 until 10 Aug 1942, but there is an entry to attribute service in the Middle East from 10 Feb 1941 until 24 Mar 1942. On 10 Feb 1941 he embarked aboard either Aquitania, Nieuw Amsterdam or the Mauretania, and they sailed for the Middle East via Bombay on 12 Feb 1941. The troops disembarked in Bombay on 22 Feb 1941, and were then embarked on a fleet of smaller ships Nevasa, Khedive Ismail, Westernland, Slamat and Cap St Jacques. They sailed from Bombay on 26 Feb 1941 and disembarked at Port Tewfik on 13 Mar 1941. (It is probable that his service in the Middle East was with 5th AASC Company, 7th Australian Infantry Division, later known as 2/4th Australian Company AASC. Robert disembarked on his return to Australia on 24 Mar 1942 at Port Adelaide.
On 13 Jul 1942 Robert was charged with 'Failing to appear at a place of parade appointed by his Commanding Officer on 9 Jul 1942.' For this he was fined 2/6d. On 25 Jul 1942 Robert was evacuated to the 2/11th Australian General Hospital with a Colles Fracture to his right arm. He was released tothe 102nd Australian Convalescent Depot on 4 Aug 1942, and returned to his unit on 29 Sep 1942. On 4 Nov 1942 he was charged with 'Conduct to the prejudice of good order and military discipline on 14 Oct 1942. He was fined 10/- (two day's pay).
From 13 Apr until 10 May 1943 Robert enjoyed leave in Western Australia. On his return he found that his unit was now known as the 2/153rd Australian General Transport Company and was locatd at Ravenshoe in north Queensland. He embarked with the unit's advance party aboard HMT Duntroon in Townsville on 19 Jul 1943, disembarking in Port Moresby on 22 Jul 1943.
New Guinea 19 Jul 1943 - 4 Aug 1944
Balikpapan 27 May 1945 - 13 Nov 1946
BCOF 28 Jan 1947 - 21 Feb 1948
Discharged 13 Jan 1949
Post War
During 1951 he married Elsie Jardine nee Saxon. Elsie had divorced her previous husband in March 1951 on the grounds of desertion.
Electoral Rolls: 1954 with Elsie at 128 Victoria street, Mosman Park; 1958 at Wittenoom, truck driver; 1963 at Port Hedland, truck driver
Notes