The Soldier's Details
- Surname:
- Roberts
- First Name:
- Ronald Weston
- Nick Name:
- Ron or Digger
- Rank:
- Private
- Regimental #:
- WX16618
- Company:
- ‘E’ Company, Special Reserve Battalion, 3 Platoon
- Enlisted:
- 22.09.1941
- DOB:
- 1.11.1921
- Place of Birth:
- Wonnerup, Western Australia
- Father's Name:
- Edmund Henry Roberts
- Mothers's Name:
- Alice lvy Roberts (nee Catchpole)
- Religion:
- Congregational
- Pre-war Occupation:
- Farmhand and Timber Worker
- Memorial:
- Epitaph, Singapore Memorial, Column 136, Age 20.
- Cause of Death:
- Killed in Action
- Place of Death:
- South-West Bukit Timah
- Date of Death:
- 11.02.1942
General Description
From his enlistment to the date he was KIA Ron had undertaken four months training before being sent with the Reinforcements to 2/4th. His young death at 20 years was a tragic blow to his family and the community of Nannup.
He became part of ‘E’ Force which was made up of reinforcements except officers who had mostly transferred from other 2/4th Companies.
‘E’ Company was caught in a Japanese ambush at South West Bukit Timah on 11 February 1945 where they suffered high death rate. Please read further.
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Edmund (Barney) Roberts was born in South Australia. He married Victorian born Alice Ivy Catchpole in Perth 1919. The Catchpole family were from Kondinnin. The Roberts family were living at Yonaning Rock before moving to Carlotta Creek, Nannup. Ron was the eldest of 9 children.
In 1922 the Roberts family hosted the wedding of Alice Ivy Robert’s sister Doris Catchpole.
In 1933, Alice Roberts mother died, grandmother to Ron.
In 1942 Ron’s father Edmund Henry Roberts died. The family had received no news of their son Ron as this time. He had been KIA 11 Feb 1942 however it was not until the war was over that the Roberts family received their tragic news.
Below: Edmund (Barney) Roberts.
Edmund Henry Roberts No. 4867 enlisted WW1 at Narriogin May 1915 aged 23 years with 3RD Field Ambulance. He arrived Galipoli as a nursing staff reinforcement No. Casualty Clearing Station. This would have been a harrowing role because they were continually subjected to Turkish shelling, and many lost their lives. He suffered shell-shock amongst other things. He returned to Australia on ‘Nestor’ with duties 9 Feb 1916. He returned to France 23 Mar 1917.
