Colin Graham ALDERMAN

ALDERMAN, Colin Graham

Service Number: S41885
Enlisted: 29 November 1941
Last Rank: Surgeon Commander
Last Unit: HMAS Torrens (Depot) / HMAS Encounter (Shore)
Born: Adelaide, South Australia, 2 February 1921
Home Town: Largs Bay, Port Adelaide Enfield, South Australia
Schooling: Christian Brothers College Adelaide
Occupation: General Parctitioner
Died: 24 July 1996, aged 75 years, cause of death not yet discovered, place of death not yet discovered
Cemetery: Mitcham Cemetery, S.A.
Memorials:
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World War 2 Service

29 Nov 1941: Enlisted Private, S41885, Unley, South Australia
29 Nov 1941: Enlisted Australian Military Forces (Army WW2), Private, S41885
30 Nov 1941: Involvement Private, S41885, 6 Cavalry Regiment AMF
24 May 1943: Promoted Royal Australian Navy, Surgeon Lieutenant, HMAS Torrens (Depot) / HMAS Encounter (Shore)

Non Warlike Service

24 May 1950: Promoted Royal Australian Navy, Surgeon Lieutenant Commander
31 Dec 1966: Promoted Royal Australian Navy, Surgeon Commander

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Biography contributed by Annette Summers

ALDERMAN Colin Graham RANR MB BS

1921-1996

Colin Graham Alderman was born in Adelaide, on 2nd February 1921. He was the second of three sons of Sir Henry Graham Alderman and Molly, nee Farrelly of Unley Park. His father was a barrister, who, in 1928, founded the law firm Alderman, which, in 1988, merged with Piper Bakewell and Piper to form Piper Alderman; one of the largest law firms in Adelaide today. Alderman was educated at Christian Brother’s College, and studied medicine at the University of Adelaide, graduating in December 1943.

Alderman was appointed Surgeon Lieutenant. RANR on 24th May 1944. He was mobilised for service on the 30th November 1945, and appointed additional to land based ships HMAS Torrens, Cerberus, Moreton, Penguin and Kuttabul and sea duty in Deloraine, a Bathurst Class Minesweeper of 650 tons and a crew of 85, with the 20th Minesweeping Flotilla.  The Flotilla was on active seagoing service assisting in the post-war mine clearance programme. The Deloraine was credited with the destruction of one of only four minelaying submarines in the Japanese navy off the coast of Darwin, in February 1942.  Following this, the Deloraine remained on escort duties from Darwin and would have been undertaking these duties when Alderman was part of the ship’s company.

After the end of WW2 Alderman remained in the RANR, serving in the Barcoo, Bataan and Warramunga until 1948.  Alderman was on board the Barcoo, on Sunday 11th April, 1948 when she was driven ashore in a hurricane force storm, near Glenelg Beach, Adelaide. After predischarge training at the RAH, while attached to the Lonsdale, his service was terminated on 30th July 1949 and transferred as Surgeon Lieutenant in the RANVR. He undertook training at the RAH in July 1949. Alderman was promoted to Surgeon Lieutenant Commander RANVR, at Adelaide, on 20th May 1950.  He was then appointed the District Naval Medical Officer, South Australia; finally, to Surgeon Commander, RANVR on 31st December 1966. RAN reorganisation led to his transfer to the RANR in July 1973.  He retired from his naval service in 1974 and continued his medical career in general practice. Colin Graham Alderman died on 24th July 1996 aged 75 years.  His wife and children survived him.

Source

Blood, Sweat and Fears III: Medical Practitioners South Australia, who Served in World War 2. 

Swain, Jelly, Verco, Summers. Open Books Howden, Adelaide 2019. 

Uploaded by Annette Summers AO RFD

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