Roy Alva Stirling
From Our Contribution
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| Personal Information | |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | 22 May 1913 |
| Place of Birth | Boulder, Western Australia |
| Death | 5 Jul 1977, aged 64 |
| Place of Death | Trigg, Western Australia |
| Age at Enlistment | 27 years, 11 months |
| Description | 5'10" (1.78m) tall ; ; fair complexion ; blue eyes ; fair hair ; scar on left shin |
| Occupation | Truck driver |
| Religion | Presbyterian |
| Address | Bedfordale, Western Australia |
| Next of Kin | Wife , Mrs. Dorothy Hilda Stirling |
| Military Information | |
| Reg Number | WX12556 |
| Date of Enlistment | 9 May 1941 |
| Rank | Corporal |
| Unit/Formation | 2/41st Australian Transport Platoon (TS) |
| Military Movement | |
| 1st Departure from Australia | |
| Journey Dates | 7 Nov 1941 ‒ 22 Nov 1941 |
| Transport Details | HMT Queen Elizabeth Fremantle to Port Tewfik |
| Return to Australia | |
| Journey Dates | 18 Feb 1942 ‒ 16 Mar 1942 |
| Transport Details | HMT Andes Port Tewfik to Adelaide |
| 2nd Departure from Australia | |
| Journey Dates | 2 Aug 1943 ‒ 21 AUg 1943 |
| Transport Details | SS James W. Grimes Brisbane to Port Moresby |
| Return to Australia | |
| Journey Dates | 23 Sep 1944 ‒ 25 Sep 1944 |
| Transport Details | SS Charon II Port Moresby to Cairns |
| Journey Dates | 5 Oct 1945 ‒ 11 Oct 1945 |
| Transport Details | SS Otranto Sydney to Fremantle |
| Post War Details | |
| Fate | Returned to Australia |
| Medals |
1939-45 Star Pacific Star War Medal 1939-45 Australian Service Medal 1939-45 |
Pre War
During 1940 Roy married Dorothy Hilda Douglas in the Canning district. Dorothy died on 13 Jun 1959 in Armadale. Electoral Roll entries: 1936 - 1943 Albany road, Bedfordale, orchardist
War Service
Prior to enlisting in the 2nd AIF on 9 May 1941 Roy had served as a Trooper in the Militia's 10th Australian Light Horse Regiment. On 12 May 1941 Roy was posted to the AASC Training Depot at Claremont, and with his training complete he was transferred on 12 Sep 1941 to the AASC Reinforcments. From 11 - 2 Oct 1941 he was granted pre-embarkation leave before embarking on 7 Nov 1941 aboard HMT Queen Elizabeth in Fremantle for Port Tewfik, Egypt via Trincomalle in Ceylon (Sri Lanka), disembarking on 22 Jan 1942.
Taken on strength by the 1st Australian Corps Troops Supply Column (AIF) the same day, he was not to spend very long in Egypt as on 18 Feb 1942 he embarked on HMT Andes for Adelaide, disembarking there on 16 Mar 1942. Three days later he was charged with 'Failing to appear at a place of parade appointed by his Commanding Officer (CO) on 19 Mar 1942. He was awarded 7 days Confined to Barracks. On 20 Jul 1942 he was charged with 'Neglecting to obey a Routine Order on 4 Jul 1942, and for this he was Admonised by his CO.
Roy was transferred to the 2/1st Australian Troops Petrol Company on 30 Sep 1942 and on 1 Oct 1942 he was classified as a TG III Technical Storeman. On 8 Novv 1942 he was promoted Acting Corporal, with the rank confirmed on 4 Feb 1943. On 5 Apr 1943 Roy was transferred to the 2/33rd Australian Company ASC, before being transferred on 5 Jul 1943 to the 2/33rd Australian General Transport Company.
On 2 Aug 1943 Roy's unit embarked in Brisbane on SS James W. Grimes and disembarked in Port Moresby on 21 Aug 1943. There is no other entry in Roy's records until the return voyage, i.e. embarked in Port Moresby on 23 Sep 1944 aboard SS Charon II for Cairns where he disembarked on 26 Sep 1944. On 27 Jan 1045 Roy was transferred to the 2/33rd Australian Workshop Platoon and on 22 Aug 1945 to the 2/41st Australian Transport Platoon. On 5 Nov 1945 he embarked on SS Otranto in Sydney for Fremantle where he disembarked on 11 Oct 1945, and marched in to the Western Command Recruit Reception & General Details Depot to begin discharge proceedings. Roy was discharged on 2 Nov 1945.
Post War
During 1960, Roy remarried, this time to Pearl Patroni. Pearl died 18 Sep 1993, aged 77 in North Fremantle. Electoral Roll entries: 1949 - 1954 Albany road, Bedfordale, orchardist; 1958 William street, Armadale, retailer; 1963 at 31 Goldsmith road, Nedlands, businessman; 1972 at 4 Mettam street Trigg, salesman.
Notes