The Soldier's Details

Strawb enlisted AIF 6 Aug 1940 and later joined 2/4th MGB’s ‘C’ Company No. 10 Platoon under Commanding Officer Lt Wilson and Lt. Ambrose.

When their ship ‘Aquitania’ was anchored at Sydney, it was discovered Bobby Haldane was missing, it was believed he had fallen into the waters. This was particularly distressing for Strawb – the boys born in 1919 in Broome, somehow enlisted underage – Haldane’s young mother died in 1936 – Bob was taken in by Myra Ribe (Dyson).

Dyson was wounded in action at Hill 200, Ulu Pandan on 11.2.1942.  He received a shrapnel wound to his left buttock, however remained on duty.

He left Singapore with ‘D’ Force Thailand, S Battalion.

Strawb sailed on (‘Byoki) Rashin Maru’ to Japan to work firstly at Yamane from Sep 1944 to June 1945.  Then at Niihama from June 1945 to September 1945.

It was here that Strawb became pinned between a copper ore cart and the mine wall in January 1945.  Both legs were injured, the Camp doctor was sick at the time and an infection set in one of his legs –  he was taken to a Japanese hospital where his leg was drained.  2/4th mate Jim Elliott who was POW at Nihama  happened to be also at Camp hospital with Strawb.

It was not until 13 September1945 that Strawb was able to walk without crutches, the day he left Niihama to board USS Sanctuary at Wakinyama.

He admitted to hospital at Okinowa on 19 September 1945 and the next day evacuated to Manila.

On arrival in Sydney he was admitted to 113 (C) MH.

In Melbourne was admitted to 115 (H) MH and then flown home to Perth.

On arrival in Perth he was admitted to to 10 (P) MH on 8.11.1945.

Above:  Bobbie is Robert William Haldane WX843.

Apparently Bobbie was fostered by Strawb’s mother Myra after she was widowed in 1926 and remarried to Edward James ‘Ted’ Ribe in 1928.   Bobbie’s mother was ill and died in 1936 aged 36 years.

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Strawb’s parents George ‘Harry’ Dyson and Miriam ‘Myra’  Thompson married 1911 Broome.   He was the third of four children, the others sisters Irene, Ethel and Blanche.

 

Below:  Harry Dyson’s father died in 1914.

 

His father Harry Dyson died 13 May 1926 at Broome aged 46 years.  His mother Myra remarried Edward James (Ted) Ribe in 1928.  Myra divorced Ribe for desertion in November 1948.  Ribe enlisted with RAN July 1942 and was discharged in July 1944.

Myra died in 1977 aged 87 years.

Below:  Death of Strawb’s father 1926, Harry Dyson had been a pearlier and hotelier.

 

Above:  Harry Dyson

 

Strawb married Leila Pauline Hall in 1954, the couple after residing in Floreat Park.

 

Above:  Strawb’s mother Myra.

 

In 1963, 1968  the Dysons were resided Lansdowne St in South Perth.

 

 

Strawb died 14 August 2007, he and his wife resided at Duncraig.

During 2010 an article was printed in Listening Post – a medal which had been found 25 years earlier by Michael Crouch was inscribed WX7599.  Then Secretary, Lawrie Morris contacted Crouch advising the owner to be Strawb.  Crouch confirmed he  would return the medal to Mrs Dyson.