Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Roy Norman Koch was born 15 July 1916 at Booleroo Centre, eighth child of Fredrich and Anna Marie (nee Franke) Koch. Frederich farmed Section 9, Hundred of Willowie.

Roy enlisted with the Militia 17 December 1941 at Booleroo Centre, South Australia, aged 24 years. He listed his occupation as farmer. On enlistment he was assigned to 48th Battalion (Btn), serial number S26819. The 48th Btn remained in South Australia until mid February 1942. The unit shifted initially to Gherang in Victora for a period of three months and then through to New South Wales, arriving at its new base 7 May 1942. There it became part of the defences of Sydney.

He remained with the 48th Btn through to the 20 July 1942. Joining the AIF at Wallgrove, New South Wales on the 21 July 1942 he was assigned army number SX22446. On 27 August 1942 the 48th Btn reorganised as the 108 Light Anti Aircraft (LAA) Regiment, which comprised three Batteries. These were located around Newcastle to protect the port area and included the 149 LAA Battery, to which Roy was posted. They were issued with 40mm Bofors Anti Aircraft Guns, used to defend airfields and other military establishments against low level enemy attack. It fired a 2lbs (1kg) high explosive shell at 2,800 ft/sec (848m/sec) at 120 rounds per minute. The Bofors maximum ceiling was 7,151 metres but the most effective ceiling was 3,787 metres.

The battery remained at Newcastle until mid May of 1943 when they moved to the Northern Territory. The move comprised a six day train trip to Alice Springs via Terowie in South Australia (due to the differing gauges of the rail lines in each state), then the remainder of the 1000 mile journey to Darwin by road with the unit arriving June 13. The 149 LAA was then divided into 4 platoons.  Battery HQ along with A and D platoons located to Coomalie Creek airfield while B and D platoons moved to Fenton. In June 1943 they received two extra guns from 233 Light Anti aircraft Battery. From September 1943 through to late 1944 platoons were reorganised and shifted around to various locations.

Roy took seasonal leave from 2 January 1944. During this time he married Doris Anne Blessing on February 19 at Balaklava, South Australia. He did not return to the unit until the June 24 of that year. The Battery finally came together at Long Airfield in November 1944. With no further threat to the NT, 149 LAA Bty moved to NSW in December 1944 to disband.

Roy and Doris’s only child, a son, was born at the Balaklava Memorial Hospital in late February 1945 whilst Doris was living with her parents.

Roy was transferred to the 5 Australian Detention Barracks at Holsworthy 30 July 1945. He was discharged from the Army on the 22 November 1945.

Returning to South Australia Roy and his brother Edwin purchased Section 123 and 130, Hundred of Booleroo in 1951. Roy sold his share to Edwin in 1958. Roy did some shearing in the district to bring in some additional income. In 1958 they moved to Lenswood and later to Nairne where he farmed beef cattle and ducks as well as growing tomatoes and potatoes.

After his retirement he and Doris purchased a property in Hahndorf. Roy suffered a severe stroke and moved to the Hahndorf Nursing Home until his death 7 June 1999. He is buried at the Hahndorf Cemetery.

Excerpt taken from "Diggers From the Dust" (2018) Di Barrie & Andrew Barrie.