Ross Edward LEWIS

LEWIS, Ross Edward

Service Numbers: S24282, SX32314
Enlisted: 23 September 1941, Hindmarsh, South Australia
Last Rank: Corporal
Last Unit: Works / Labour / Employment / 'Alien' Company/ies
Born: Adelaide, South Australia , 27 April 1922
Home Town: Torrensville, South Australia
Schooling: Adelaide Boys High School
Occupation: Public Servant/Clerk
Died: Natural causes (organ failure), Hendon, South Australia, 3 October 2015, aged 93 years
Cemetery: Centennial Park Cemetery, South Australia
General AA, Path I cremated remains buried in plot of Wicks, Sylvia Katherine, with wife Regina Lewis (nee Badcock) granddaughter of S. K. Wicks.
Memorials: City of West Torrens WW2 Boulevard of Honour
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World War 2 Service

23 Sep 1941: Enlisted Private, S24282, Hindmarsh, South Australia
25 Jun 1943: Enlisted Australian Military Forces (WW2) , Corporal, SX32314, Works / Labour / Employment / 'Alien' Company/ies
25 Jun 1943: Enlisted Private, SX32314, Alice Springs, Northern Territory
26 Jun 1943: Involvement S24282
26 Jun 1943: Involvement Corporal, SX32314
6 Apr 1944: Promoted Lance Sergeant
25 Nov 1946: Discharged Lance Sergeant, SX32314, Works / Labour / Employment / 'Alien' Company/ies
25 Nov 1946: Discharged Australian Military Forces (WW2) , Corporal, SX32314, Works / Labour / Employment / 'Alien' Company/ies

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Biography

Ross was stationed at Alice Springs for some time after enlisting. He enjoyed his time in Alice Springs and often tells us about the time they all played football or cricket and had steak for tea.  Might be an exageration but he enjoyed the commeradeship more than anything.

Ross was soon made a Corporal and eventually was promoted to Sergeant in the Army in the Supply Corps (9th Div) and he enjoyed his job making sure everyone received the goods they needed.  He continued this by joining the Public service as a clerk when he returned.

After some time in Alice they finally went to Townsville and boarded a ship to Balikpapan in Bornea.  He did not talk about what it was like there but often had nightmares about it saying he saw some terrible things.  When we visited the Australian War Memorial in Canberra he was very interested to see the display and story about the battles in Borneo.  He had his photo taken with a jeep near that exhibit.

He is now in a nursing home in Hendon, SA (2015 at 93 years) but still remembers the war and some stories and his visit to the War Memorial.  He proudly has his Certificate from the government for the 70th anniversary hanging on the wall of his room.

Both of Ross's younger brother enlisted as well and thankfully they all returned home to their families. 

 

 

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