Stanton Edward McKenna

Stanton Edward McKenna

Personal Information
Date of Birth	6 Oct 1906
Place of Birth	Jarrahdale, Western Australia
Death	18 Nov 1984, aged 78
Age at Enlistment	34 years 6 months
Description	5'9½" (1.76m) tall ;
Occupation	Mill hand
Religion	Roman Catholic
Address	Karragullen, Western Australia
Next of Kin	Mother , Justina Agnes McKenna
Military Information
Reg Number	WX7482
Date of Enlistment	6 Aug 1940
Rank	Private
Unit/Formation	2/28th Australian Infantry Battalion
Post War Details
Fate	POW 26/27 Jul 1943 Ruin Ridge Libya Returned to Australia
External Monument(s)	The Australian Ex-Prisoners of War Memorial Ballarat, Victoria
Medals	1939-45 Star Africa Star Defence Medal War Medal 1939-45 Australian Service Medal 1939-45

War Service

Enlisted part time in the CMF on 6 Aug 1940 at Claremont. (records not yet scanned)

Enlisted in the 2nd AIF on 14 May 1941 at Claremont and two days later was posted to the 1st Training Battalion at Northam. On 10 Jun 1941 he was posted to the reinforcement draft for the 2/16th Australian Infantry Battalion, and was granted pre-embarkation leave from 20 Aug - 1 Sep 1941. Soon after reterning from leave he was appointed Lance Corproal on 19 Sep 1941, and on 26 Sep 1941 he embarked in Fremantle on SS Marnix van Sint Aldegonde part of Convoy 12B for the Middle East. Disembarking at Port Tewfik on 20 Oct 1941, Stanton was posted to the 21st Australian Infantry Training Battalion. On 9 Dec 1941 Stanton was promoted Acting Corporal, reverting to Private on 19 Jan 1942 when he joined the 2/16th Australian Infantry Battalion. On 29 Jan 1942 the battalion embarked at Suez aboard SS Île de France a part of Convoy JS3, for Bombay where Stanton was transhipped to the SS Kosciusko sailing on 11 Feb 1942 for Adelaide where he disembarked on 25 Mar 1942.

On 17 Jul 1942 Stanton was appointed Lance Corporal, but on 23 Jul 1942 he was seen by the 2/6th Australian Field Ambulance who the next day had him admitted to the 2/1st Australian Casualty Clearing Station with a torn ligament in his left knee. The next day he was transferred to 2/11th Australian General Hospital and on 2 Nov 1942 he was again transferred, this time to the 112th Australian General Hospital where he was treated until 5 Jan 1943 when he was transferred to Queensland Line of Communication Recruit Reception & General Details Depot before rejoining his battalion on 20 Feb 1943. On 4 Jun 1943 he was promoted Acting Corporal with the rank confirmed on 21 Jul 1943.

On 6 Aug 1943 he was embarked on HMT Duntroon in Townsville for Port Moresby where he disembarked on 8 Aug 1943. On 19 Jan 1944 Stanton embarked in Port Mresby aboard SS Canberra for Townsville, disembarking there on 22 Jan 1944 before proceeding on leave. Having rejoined his battalion which had returned to Australia in March, he was on 20 Jul 1944 charged with 'Neglect to the prejudice of good order and military discipline' for which he was repremanded by his Commanding Officer. Stanton married Ruby Pearl on 20 Nov 1944. On 14 May 1945 Stanton was transferred to Western Command Recruit Reception & General Details Depot to enable his discharge which occurred on 16 Jun 1945.

Notes

External Links

• Ballarat POW Memorial