Service Details
- Branch of Service
- Army
- Conflict
- World War II (1939-1945)
- Date of Enlistment
- 07/06/1940
- Date of Discharge
- 24/09/1945
- Place of Enlistment
- Paddington NSW
Personal Details
- Gender
- Male
- Date of Birth
- 22/09/1903
- Place of Birth
- Sydney NSW
- Address (at enlistment)
- Foveaux Street, Ainslie ACT
- Occupation
- Labourer
- Next of Kin
- Gwennie Appleton (wife), Foveaux Street, Ainslie ACT
Unit and Rank Details
- Service Number
- NX30801
- Final Rank
- Corporal
- Final Unit
- 2/1 Pioneer Battalion
Notes
The 2/1 Pioneer Battalion sailed for the Middle East in September 1940. They moved to Tobruk in January 1941, attached to the 6th Division, to repair infrastructure and remained there defending the town and harbour until September 1941. In October 1941 Appleton was graded as a 'Concretor III'. He returned to Australia in March 1942 and was sent to the Kokoda Track initially manning defensive positions along the Imita Ridge. They were also employed at the 9 Mile Quarry crushing rock to be used on road and airfield construction. He was hospitalised with an ulcer in January 1943 and returned to Australia and sent to Concord Hospital. In 1945 he was sent to Darwin as part of NT Force and promoted to Corporal. He was discharged in September 1945 and later lived in Queanbeyan.
Description - height 5 feet 3 inches, grey hair, blue eyes, appendix scar, Church of England.
Sources
WWII Nominal Roll http://www.ww2roll.gov.au
ACT Electoral Rolls 1916 to 1967 http://canberraheritageportal.org/default.php
The Canberra Times - 27 January 1941
NAA RecordSearch