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

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

Service Number

NX30801

Final Rank

Corporal

Final Unit

2/1 Pioneer Battalion

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. The Pioneers were also employed at the 9 Mile Quarry crushing rock to be used on road and airfield construction. In January 1943 Appleton was hospitalised with an ulcer, returned to Australia and was 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. Appleton died in 1979 in Sydney.

Description - height 5 feet 3 inches, grey hair, blue eyes, appendix scar, Church of England.

DVA nominal roll - WW2
ACT Electoral Rolls
The Canberra Times - 27 January 1941
NAA RecordSearch - Series B883