Charles Kenneth Neilson
From Our Contribution
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| Personal Information | |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | 23 Aug 1917 |
| Place of Birth | Armadale, Western Australia |
| Death | 7 Sep 2015, aged 98 |
| Place of Death | Byford, Western Australia |
| Age at Enlistment | 23 years, 8 nonths |
| Description | 5'6" (1.68m) tall ; ; fair complexion ; blue eyes ; brown hair |
| Occupation | Truck driver |
| Religion | Presbyterian |
| Address | Fifth raod, Armadale, Western Australia |
| Next of Kin | Wife , Mrs Vida Joy Neilson |
| Military Information | |
| Reg Number | AW9129 & WX34838 |
| Date of Enlistment | 3 Nov 1942 |
| Rank | Private |
| Unit/Formation | 16th Australian Infantry Battalion (Cameron Highlanders Regiment) |
| Military Movement | |
| 1st Departure from Australia | |
| Journey Dates | 21 Nov 1944 ‒ 26 Nov 1944 |
| Transport Details | USAT Evangaline Darwin to Jacquinot Bay, New Briatin |
| Return to Australia | |
| Journey Dates | 15 Apr 1945 ‒ 21 Apr 1945 |
| Transport Details | HMT Taroona Jacquinot Bay to Brisbane |
| 2nd Departure from Australia | |
| Journey Dates | 14 Jul 1945 ‒ 20 Jul 1945 |
| Transport Details | SS Ormiston Brisbane to Jacquinot Bay |
| Return to Australia | |
| Journey Dates | 3 Jan 1946 ‒ 13 Jan 1946 |
| Transport Details | HMT Duntroon Rabaul, New Britain to Brisbane |
| Post War Details | |
| Fate | Returned to Australia |
| Medals |
1939-45 Star Pacific Star Defence Medal War Medal 1939-45 |
Pre War
War Service
Charles was enlisted in the CMF on 6 Mar 1941 and was allocated to the 16th Australian Infantry Battalion (Cameron Highlanders Regiment). On 17 Jul 19421 he entered training with C35 camp, until 14 Oct 1941. On 16 Dec 1941 he was called up for full time service. On 18 May 1942 he was charged with having been AWOL from 7:00am until 11:00pm on 17 May, for which he forfeited a day's pay. From 20 July until 16 Aug 1942 he attended a Driver/Mechanics Course at Claremont, passing the course and recommended for further pracice in his unit. On 3 Nov 1942 he enlisted in the 2nd AIF.
On 27 Feb 1943 along with the rest of the battalion he entrained for Adelaide where they arrived on 4 Mar 1943. Ten days later they entrained for the Northern Territory, arriving there on 19 Mar 1943. Charles was classified on 6 Jul 1943 as a TGIII Technical Storeman. His nok was changed from his father to his wife on 15 Jan 1944. Charles was admitted to the 122nd Australian Special Hospital from 29 Feb 1944 until 13 Apr 1944 with Neisseria gonorrhoeae. Four days later he had a relapse and was readmitted to the 122nd Special Hospital until 20 May 1944. Total period 78 days, 43 days pay forfeiture. Charles rejoined the battalion on 3 Jul 1944.
Charles and the rest of the battalion boarded USAT Evangaline in Darwin on 21 Nov 1944, and disembarked at Jacquinot Bay on New Britain on 26 Nov 1944. Due for leave, on 15 Apr 1945 Charles boarded HMT Taroona in Jacquinot Bay for Brisbane where he disembarked on 21 Apr 1945. On 23 Apr 1945 i Brisbane while making his way back to the battalion, he was admitted to the 4th Australian Camp Hospital from 23 - 29 Apr 1945. Charles boarded SS Ormiston in Brisbane on 14 Jul 1945 for Jacquinot Bay, disembarking there on 20 July. He returned to the battalion until 3 Jan 1946 when he boarded HMT Duntroon in Rabaul for Brisbane, disembarking there on 13 Jan 1946. On 14 Jan 1946 he was transfered to Western Command Recruit Reception & General Details Depot to prepare for his discharge. However before then he was admitted to the 110th Australian Base Hospital from 15 Feb - 4 Mar 1946 to be treateed for Pterygia (growth of the conjunctiva or mucous membrane that covers the white part of the eye over the cornea).
To be continued 2 pages of his records not displaying coorrectly
Discharged on 31 Jan 1947
Post War
Electoral roll entries: 1943 Railway parade, Armadale; 1949 Fremanlte road, Armadale, soldier; 1954 - 1980 at 12 Fourth road, Armadale, brickmaker
Notes