OTWAY, Robin Harold
| Service Numbers: | WX4743, WX15480 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 23 June 1940 |
| Last Rank: | Lance Corporal |
| Last Unit: | 2nd/11th Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Beverley, Western Australia, 20 May 1918 |
| Home Town: | Not yet discovered |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Labourer |
| Died: | Nullagine, Western Australia, 8 June 1997, aged 79 years, cause of death not yet discovered |
| Cemetery: | Not yet discovered |
| Memorials: |
World War 2 Service
| 23 Jun 1940: | Enlisted Australian Military Forces (WW2) , Private, WX4743 | |
|---|---|---|
| 17 Jan 1941: | Discharged Australian Military Forces (WW2) , Private, WX4743 | |
| 30 Jul 1941: | Enlisted Australian Military Forces (WW2) , Lance Corporal, WX15480, 2nd/11th Infantry Battalion | |
| 3 Jan 1945: | Embarked Australian Military Forces (WW2) , Lance Corporal, WX15480, 2nd/11th Infantry Battalion, ex cairns to Aitape per Jane Adams | |
| 27 Jul 1945: | Wounded Australian Military Forces (WW2) , Lance Corporal, WX15480, 2nd/11th Infantry Battalion, GSW - Lower right leg | |
| 30 Jul 1945: | Embarked Australian Military Forces (WW2) , Lance Corporal, WX15480, 2nd/11th Infantry Battalion, Emplaned ex Lae to Townsville | |
| 17 Apr 1946: | Discharged Australian Military Forces (WW2) , Lance Corporal, WX15480, 2nd/11th Infantry Battalion |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by Chris Buckley
Bob was the fourth of six children of Ernest (Ernie) Alexander Otway (b1889 in Beverley, WA) and his first wife Elizabeth Mary Tasker (b1889 in Cherton, Victoria). Ernie (a Farm Hand in Beverley WA) and Elizabeth married in 1911 in Perth WA. Elizabeth had arrived in Kalgoorlie WA with her parents and siblings in the late 1890s. Ernie and Elizabeth settled in Baverley WA where Ernie worked as a Farm Hand until Elizabeth's death in 1925. He then worked as a Dingo Trapper at Youanmi WA before remarrying in Perth in 1936 and settling in Victoria Park where he worked as a Labourer.
Bob was working as a Labourer in Perth in June 1940 when he enlisted in the Australian Army for the first time - he served as a Private (Service No:WX4743) with 2/28 Infantry Battalion and 24 Anti Tank Coy and was Discharged in January 1941. Bob re-enlisted in July 1941 and was a Lance Corporal (Service No:WX15480) attached to 2/11 Infantry Battalion. Bob served in New Guinea (3 January 1945 - 30 July 1945) where he was WiA - GSW to lower right leg. Bob was Discharged in April 1946. Four of Bob's brothers also served in WWII - John, James, Frederick and Charles.
In 1944 Bob had married Miriam Vernon (b1919 in Collie, WA) in Collie and in 1954 Miriam was granted a Divorce on the ground of five year's separation - she remained in Collie.
Bob's life after WWII is well documented (including 'Off Like Flies - A Tribute to Western Australia's Prospectors (1994) and his brother Jack's autobigraphy; on the WA Virtual Miners' Memorial, the Heritage Council of WA, in features in The Australian newspaper, and portraits in the Art Gallery of WA).
Following his Discharge, Bob lived in Nullagine, Port Hedland, Roebourne, Marble Bar, Meekatharra and Leonora where he worked as a Prospector, Station Overseer and Government Dogger. Bob died in 1997.
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