QUINLAN, Henry Edward
| Service Numbers: | SX31816, S111032 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 18 June 1943, St Ives, NSW |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 2nd/48th Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Royal Park, South Australia, 6 September 1924 |
| Home Town: | Royal Park, South Australia |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Die setter/Labourer |
| Died: | 21 October 2009, aged 85 years, cause of death not yet discovered, place of death not yet discovered |
| Cemetery: |
Centennial Park Cemetery, South Australia Derrick Gardens, Path 55, Grave 1358B |
| Memorials: |
World War 2 Service
| 21 Oct 1942: | Involvement Other National Forces, SX31816, CMF - Citizens Military Forces | |
|---|---|---|
| 18 Jun 1943: | Involvement Private, S111032 | |
| 18 Jun 1943: | Involvement Private, SX31816 | |
| 18 Jun 1943: | Enlisted Australian Military Forces (WW2) , Private, SX31816, 2nd/48th Infantry Battalion | |
| 18 Jun 1943: | Enlisted St Ives, NSW | |
| 28 Mar 1945: | Involvement Australian Military Forces (WW2) , SX31816, 2nd/48th Infantry Battalion, Borneo - Operation Oboe May - August 1945, Private H Quinlan served in Tarakan. | |
| 23 Apr 1945: | Wounded Australian Military Forces (WW2) , SX31816, 2nd/48th Infantry Battalion, Borneo - Operation Oboe May - August 1945, Wounded in Action. Remained on duty (Perf SW L Shoulder). | |
| 21 Aug 1946: | Discharged Australian Military Forces (WW2) , Private, SX31816, 2nd/48th Infantry Battalion | |
| 21 Aug 1946: | Discharged |
Henry Edward Alfonso Quinlan
Henry Edward Alfonso Quinlan was born to John Joseph and Ruby Quinlan on 6 September 1924.
Henry was a brother of Betty (Bett), Faye, Florence (Flo) and Shirley. The family lived in Carnegie Park (Royal Park, Adelaide) SA.
Aged 18 years, single and employed as a die setter, Henry enlisted with the CMF on 21 October 1942. He served within Australia with the CMF until 17 June 1943 when he enlisted with the AIF from 18 June 1943.
Private Quinlan joined the 2/48th Australian Infantry Battalion and embarked Cairns for Morotai aboard the Van Hertz on the 28 March 1945.
From Morotai, Private Quinlan embarked for service at Tarakan (Borneo) per HMAS Manoora on 23 April 1945. He was part of Operation Oboe (May-Aug 1945) an amphibious assault and Australia’s last large-scale Allied operation of WW2. Private Quinlan was wounded in action on June 1 1945 (perf SW L shoulder) and remained on duty.
The fighting at Tarakan was bitter, the Japanese used mines, booby traps and suicide raids to delay the Australian advance. Following Japan’s surrender and the end of the war in August, the ranks of the 2/48th thinned, as men were discharged, transferred, or volunteered for occupation force for Japan. While still on Tarakan, the 2/48th Battalion was disbanded on 25 October (AWM 2/48th AIF https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/U56079).
Private Henry Quinlan embarked Tarakan on the HMAS Kanimbla for Morotai in December 1945. After spending 4 months in Morotai he embarked per HMAS Duntroon, arriving in Sydney on 8 May 1946. He was discharged from the AIF on 21 August 1946. A young man, Private Quinlan completed 1376 days of service, 968 in Australia and 408 days overseas.
Henry Quinlan returned to Adelaide. He married Murley Jean Francis (ex WAAF Aircraftwoman and also from Royal Park) at the Port Adelaide Congregational Church on 27 December 1947. Henry and Murle had two children, Heather and Darrol. Henry worked in the metal fabrication industry at Hendon during his working life.
Henry Quinlan died on 21 October 2009, aged 85 years. He is buried in the Centennial Park Cemetery, Adelaide.
I remember my Great Uncle Henry as a quiet man who loved spending time with his family, gathering regularly with his 4 sisters and their extended families.
References
National Archives Australia – NameSearch https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetrieve/Interface/ViewImage.aspx?B=6350404
Australian War Memorial 2/48th AIF https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/U56079
VWMA – People at Borneo – Operation Oboe May-Aug 1945 https://vwma.org.au/explore/campaigns/76/people
Royal Australian Navy Operation Oboe https://www.navy.gov.au/about-navy/history/history-milestones/operation-oboe
Trove – The Advertiser Adelaide Sat 20 Dec 1947 p22 Family Notices Upcoming Weddings https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/43748985
Centennial Park Memorial Search https://centennialpark.org/memorial-search/?firstname=Henry&surname=Quinlan
Submitted 5 January 2026 by Colleen Peters
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