Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

FREDERICK MORRIS DOYLE, N73539 and NX16727, Sapper / Gunner. Father
During the Second World War, Australia’s land fighting force was essentially composed of two separate armies. Frederick spent from the 2nd of April 1940 to 12th August 1942 in the Citizen Military Forces (CMF or Militia). He had to re-sign and was then part of the 2nd Australian Imperial Force (AIF) from the 13th of August 1942 to 5th of December 1945. Frederick enlisted on the 2nd of April 1940 at North Battery, Fort Scratchley, Newcastle and within two months had been posted to Darwin (8th of June 1940). To get there, On 16th of May 1940 he was sent on the SS Montoro which travelled via Brisbane, Townsville, Port Moresby, Thursday Island and then Darwin.
Frederick was assigned to the 7th Fortress Company and on the 2nd of August 1940 he was transferred to the 37th Fortress Company his duties where to assist the Artillery’s Heavy Anti-Aircraft Battery’s as a Search Light operator.
After completing specialist engine hand group III and Switch Boards II courses he was appointed to L.H.LC. On the 23rd of December 1940. Frederick was admitted to Darwin Military Hospital and then discharged no reason was given. On the 6th of February 1941, he was appointed Specialist Group II Instrument Operator Switchman. Frederick had a medical hearing on 5th of February 1942 to discuss his health as he was suffering from meningitis, Dengue fever, Tinea of the feet, Prickly Heat and Singapore Ear. Frederick’s father had a change of address from Ferny Valley Cardiff NSW to Carinya Rest Home, Campbell Hill, West Maitland and then on the 25th of May 1942. Frederick marched out of Field Engineers school Darwin.
The Australian mainland, domestic airspace, offshore islands, and coastal shipping were attacked at least 97 times by aircraft from the Imperial Japanese Navy Air Force and Imperial Japanese Army Air Force.
These attacks came in various forms; from large-scale raids by medium bombers, to torpedo attacks on ships, and to strafing runs by fighters. On the 18th of August 1942 Frederick was transferred from Darwin to Sydney Heavy Artillery North Battery North Head for training to become a Gunner and was put on a charge of A.W.L. He received two days C.B (confined to barracks). This is where Michael James Foley must have introduced Theresa Catherine Foley his sister to Frederick Morris (Paddy) Doyle. They were married on the 19th of June 1943 at St Francis of Assisi's Paddington.
On the 15th of July 1943 Fredrick reported an injury to his left elbow/wrist, while working on gun number one. No one was to blame, and he was on duty, so a court of enquiry was not held. Between 16th August 1943 to 22nd August 1943, he was admitted to hospital with influenza. The 2nd of March 1944 he was admitted with appendicitis. He was moved around three hospitals in just over a month. These included 57 Camp Hospital Manly No113 Mil Hospital Concord, and then Bonnie Brae Ingleburn. By the 15th of April 1944 he was released. On the 30th of November 1944 he left Sydney for Canungra Queensland (L.H.Q. Training Centre) for a 4-month Jungle Training Course before leaving Brisbane for Morotai Island on the 23rd of May 1945. Frederick travelled in convoy B.G.530 A with the USAT Louis Pasteur, USAT Sea Ray and USAT Sea Barb and about 2 days from Morotai the Corvette escort ARARAT arrived named after a city in Victoria. Islands and bays sights spotted on the way Milne Bay, Goodenough, Langemak Bay, Finschhafen, Hollandia, Biak Island, Halmahera and on arriving at Morotai other Australian ships where H.M.A.S Bundaberg, H.M.A.S Rockhampton and the H.M.A.S Cootamundra, he joined the 2/3rd Composite Anti-Aircraft Regiment and was with them between 25th May 1945 to 21st December 1945, at the end of world war 2 he returned to Sydney and was discharged.
It was announced on the 8th of June 1991 in the Queen’s Birthday Honours that he would receive an Order of Australia for service to Veterans Posthumously.
Medals Awarded: Order of Australia (Service to Veterans), 1939-1945 Star, Pacific
Star, Defence Medal, War Medal 1939-1945, Australia Service Medal 1939-1945