IVIN, Charles Ernest
| Service Number: | NX95280 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 20 April 1942 |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 2nd/1st Pioneer Battalion |
| Born: | Parramatta, New South Wales, Australia, 5 January 1913 |
| Home Town: | Parramatta, New South Wales |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Shopkeeper, Motor Body Builder |
| Died: | 15 March 1987, aged 74 years, cause of death not yet discovered, place of death not yet discovered |
| Cemetery: | Not yet discovered |
| Memorials: |
World War 2 Service
| 20 Apr 1942: | Involvement Australian Military Forces (WW2) , Private, NX95280, 6th Divisional Army Service Corps, Kokoda - Papua, Reported by his son, John, Charles Ernest Ivin was under enemy fire when building the Jackson Airport in Port Moresby and the road which goes to the Kokoda Track, amongst other endeavours. The 2nd Division Engineers entry, above, could be incorrect. His son knew it as '2/1st Pioneer Battalion.' To be confirmed, I think it was this action, detailed on Wikipedia 'In early 1942, the 2/1st returned to Australia as part of the general transfer of Australian ground troops from the Middle East to the Pacific, following Japan's entry into the war. The battalion returned aboard the USS West Point,[9] and subsequently established itself around Ipswich, in Queensland, before being deployed to New Guinea in August aboard the transport Taroona,[10] at the height of the fighting against the Japanese during the Kokoda Track campaign. Initially, the pioneers undertook defensive tasks, with three companies being deployed forward to Owers Corner before moving to Uberi and then on to Imita Ridge, where the Australians sought to make a final stand against the advancing Japanese. There, the battalion occupied the extreme left hand position of a makeshift line alongside the 2/31st, 2/25th, 3rd and 2/33rd Battalions.[11] Later, as the tide of the campaign turned in favour of the Australians, the battalion conducted patrols and portage work along the track from September to November, before being reassigned to carry out mining and labouring work around 9-Mile Quarry, where three companies were deployed. A fourth company was also detached at this time to the Milne Bay area to improve the base's facilities; it remained in New Guinea until October 1943 before returning to Australia for rest and reorganisation aboard the USS Etolin.[12][3]' Excerpt from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2/1st_Pioneer_Battalion_(Australia) | |
|---|---|---|
| 20 Apr 1942: | Enlisted Australian Military Forces (WW2) , Private, NX95280 | |
| 1 Jan 1943: | Transferred Australian Military Forces (WW2) , Private, 2nd/1st Pioneer Battalion | |
| 29 Jan 1944: | Discharged Australian Military Forces (WW2) , Private, NX95280, 2nd/1st Pioneer Battalion |
Help us honour Charles Ernest Ivin's service by contributing information, stories, and images so that they can be preserved for future generations.
Add my storyBiography contributed by Cath Ivin
Charles Ernest Ivin was a single father of two quite young boys and ran his own shop in Station St, Wentworthville, selling fruit and vegetables and confectionary prior to enlisting. The boys, John Ernest and Percival Charles remained at the Kincumber Boys Home run by the Saint Joseph Convent for Nuns whilst their father served. He was stationed in Papua New Guinea with the 2nd First Pioneers. He did basic training. He was under enemy fire at times building roads and the Port Moreseby airport, Jackson airport, which is still in use today. He did various engineering works, including building the road that goes up to connect with the Kokoda Trail, which is also still in use today.
Biography contributed by Cath Ivin
Attached reputable links and especially the private collation of information in PDF format will give a more photographic coverage of the likely service activity of Private Charles Ernest Ivin.
Click images to start slideshow.