Robert Ernest COLLINSON

COLLINSON, Robert Ernest

Service Numbers: VX43564, V145244
Enlisted: 15 July 1940
Last Rank: Corporal
Last Unit: 2nd/22nd Infantry Battalion
Born: Mildura, Vic., 4 September 1915
Home Town: Not yet discovered
Schooling: Not yet discovered
Occupation: Not yet discovered
Memorials:
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World War 2 Service

15 Jul 1940: Enlisted Australian Military Forces (WW2) , Private, VX43564, 2nd/22nd Infantry Battalion
1 May 1941: Discharged Australian Military Forces (WW2) , Private, VX43564, 2nd/22nd Infantry Battalion
9 Jan 1942: Enlisted Australian Military Forces (WW2) , Corporal, V145244
7 Nov 1945: Discharged Australian Military Forces (WW2) , Corporal, V145244

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Biography contributed by Faithe Jones

Bandsman Robert Collinson was 24 years old, married, and played baritone in the Red Cliffs Corps Band at the time he enlisted into the ill-fate 2/22nd Battalion Band in July 1940.
Bert suffered a leg injury and was left behind when the Battalion sailed for Rabaul,its members to be soon after killed or captured by the invading Japanese (one bandsman escaped back to Port Moreby) and most of them to eventually perish when their prisoner-of-war ship was torpedoed by an Allied submarine.
Bert never came to terms with not going to Rabaul with his fellow military bandsmen.

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