FIDGE, Reginald Herbert
| Service Numbers: | 28064, VX32865 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 23 May 1940, Port Pirie, South Australia |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 2nd/24th Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Adelaide, South Australia, 30 May 1906 |
| Home Town: | Merriton, Port Pirie City and Dists, South Australia |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Farm Labourer |
| Died: | Accidentally drowned, At sea (Middle East), 21 October 1941, aged 35 years |
| Cemetery: |
No known grave - "Known Unto God" |
| Memorials: | Alamein Memorial (El Alamein), Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Crystal Brook District WW2 Roll of Honour, Crystal Brook WW2 Memorial, Wandearah East Broughton Plains Region War Memorial, Wandearah West Memorial and Flagpole |
World War 2 Service
| 23 May 1940: | Enlisted Royal Australian Air Force, Aircraftman, 28064, Port Pirie, South Australia | |
|---|---|---|
| 23 May 1940: | Enlisted 28064 | |
| 24 May 1940: | Involvement Royal Australian Air Force, Aircraftman, 28064 | |
| 16 Jun 1940: | Discharged Royal Australian Air Force, Aircraftman, 28064, Aircraft / Repair / Salvage Depots | |
| 18 Jun 1940: | Enlisted Private, VX32865, Royal Park, Victoria | |
| 18 Jun 1940: | Enlisted Australian Military Forces (Army WW2), Private, VX32865 | |
| 10 Apr 1941: | Involvement Private, VX32865, 2nd/24th Infantry Battalion, Siege of Tobruk |
Survived Tobruk - drowned at sea
Reg was one of the 'Rats of Tobruk' who survived the entire siege of that place. He was being evacuated to Alexandria in October 1941.
His company were in the Mediterranean aboard the Australian destroyer HMAS NIZAM when the troop transport convoy was attacked by Stuka dive bombers. The Australian troops were massed on deck in full kit. The NIZAM took evasive action, causing a huge wave to sweep 20 men overboard.
Against convoy orders, the NIZAM diverted in a rescue attempt, saving all but six men, including Reg, who were lost at sea.
Submitted 12 February 2016 by max slee
Biography
Reginald was born as Herbert Reginald TABE on 30th May, 1906 in Adelaide
His birth registration had no listesd father & his mother was Adelaide TABE
He was brought up by Gilbert Walter FIDGE & his wife Nina Crowell WALL
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His name is memorialised on the Australian War Memorial and the Roll of Honour at Mount Lofty, South Australia
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