The Soldier's Details

Review WX6486 George Parkin‘s military records held at NAA.

On 17 Jan 1939 George enlisted in Australian Military Forces (AMF) at Kelmscott, and allocated to 10th Australian Light Horse Regiment.  Later, George enlisted in the 2nd AIF at Claremont on 16 Jul 1940, and three days later he was sent to Naval Base Training Depot. Following basic training, on 23 Sep 1940 he was transferred to the 2/3rd Australian Machine Gun Battalion at Northam, and on 29 Oct 1940 they entrained for South Australia.

On 16 Apr 1941 in Fremantle George embarked on SS Île de France , part of Convoy US 10 for Middle East via Colombo where they were delayed for 10 days before sailing for Port Tewfik. Here they remained at anchor for two days before disembarking on 14 May 1941. During the next 8 months the 2/3rd MGB participated in the Capture of Vichy held Lebanon and Syria, including a period of Garison duty. On 2 Feb 1942 George embarked aboard MV Penrith Castle for Adelaide where he disembarked on 24 Mar 1942.

3 Aug 1943 George was appointed Lance Sergeant, and same day was sent to First Australian Army’s Weapon Training School.  He rejoined his battalion on 12 Sep 1943. On 11 Oct 1943 George was promoted Acting Sergeant. On 15 Mar 1944 he was evacuated to 115th Australian General Hospital in Melbourne with spastic colitis, remaining in hospital until 18 Mar 1944. By 21 March he was back with the battalion (now in Queensland) where on 26 Mar 1944 his promotion to Sergeant was confirmed. On 3 Apr 1944 he was seen by the 104th Australian Casualty Clearing Station, and on the next day he was admitted to 2/2nd Australian General Hospital. George was transferred to 2/14th Australian General Hospital on 22 Apr 1944 and then to 2/4th Australian General Hospital on 24 April before being released to 102nd Australian General Hospital on 28 Apr 1944. Discharged from hospital on 17 May 1944, George returned to the battalion on 25 May 1944. The diagnosis was that he suffered from a mild anxiety state.

On 4 Dec 1944 the battalion embarked on USAT Evangaline in Cairns for Aitape in New Guinea, disembarking on 10 Dec 1944. On 25 Mar 1945 George was treated by 2/7th Australian Field Ambulance for Furunculosis before being passed on to 3/14th Australian Field Ambulance the next day. On 9 Apr 1945 he was well enough to be released to duty and made his way back to the battalion. Needing medical treament again on 13 Aug 1945 he was evacuated to 104th Australian Casualty Clearing Station with Ancylostomiasis (Hook worm). Treated he was released to the battalion on 21 Aug 1945. On 7 Sep 1945 George emplaned in Port Moresby, landing in Cairns. On 1 Nov 1945 his time with MGB ended by being posted to Western Command Recruit Reception & General Details Depot for discharge proceedings. However, on 5 Dec 1945 George was admitted to 110th Australian Base Hospital with Malaria.

George spent from 23 Dec 1945 until 7 Jan 1946 and from 9 to 22 Apr 1946 in hospital with Malaria, the rest of the time in the discharge section of Western Command Recruit Reception & General Details Depot. On 27 May 1946 George was posted to the Staff of the Western Command Recruit Reception & General Details Depot remaining with them until 31 Jan 1947 when he was again being processed for discharge which took place on 10 Feb 1947.

Thank you to Birtwhistle History centre for all of the above information.

In 1948 George married Edna Martin and the couple lived in the Kelmscott/Maddington area.

Below:  George’s father Arthur Parkin died in 1953.

George Parkin died 28 Sept 2004 aged 85 years at Maddington.