Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Bill’s Story

The Pre War Years

 Bill attended St Joseph’s College Hunters Hill between 1936 and 1939.

 The War Years

 On the 6^th March 1940 matriculation exam results, for entry into SydneyUniversity, are published in the Sydney Morning Herald. The results confirm William R. Cassidy has satisfied the requirements for admission to the following facilities:(i)              Arts (ii)             Engineering & Architecture (iii)            Medicine, Science & Dentistry. Subsequently he enrolled in the Facility of Engineering, at Sydney University, studying Engineering Maths (I & II) Mechanics and Physics.

 On 9^th September 1940, during the first year of his tertiary studies, Bill joins the Sydney University Regiment (Service No. 42236) with the rank of Private.

 The University Volunteer Rifle Corps (UVRC) was raised on the 17th of November 1900, as part of the colonial Military Forces of New South Wales. The University of Sydney was the colony's only university at the time, and two of its professors, T. W. Edgeworth-David and J. T. Wilson. VD, a former officer of the East Surrey Regiment, and employed as a teacher of physics at the University, encouraged the formation of a volunteer military unit. Military training commenced in early 1901 with one hundred volunteers. In 1903, the UVRC changed its name to the Sydney University Scouts (SUS) and the establishment had by then doubled to two rifle companies. In 1903, the UVRC changed its name to the Sydney University Scouts (SUS) and the establishment had by then doubled to two rifle companies. When universal conscription was introduced in 1911, the Scouts numbers increased and it became a militia battalion. In 1927 the Scouts were renamed the Sydney University Regiment (SUR). In recognition of its members' service in the Great War, Lieutenant General Sir Harry Chauvel was pleased to present the Regiment with its first Kings and Regimental Colours. During the Second World War the SUR went into hibernation. However, as in the Great War, many serving and former members of the SUR enlisted in the Second AIF and served with distinction in all theatres of war.

Following the death of his father William Alfred Cassidy on the 29th April 1941 and distracted by the developing events of WWII, Bill abandons his studies. So on the 13th August 1941 he attends the Martin Place Recruiting Depot to enlist in the 1^st training Battalion. In an effort to improve his chances of acceptance into the Australian Military Forces (AMF) he claims he is 19 yrs & 10 mths, and DOB is the 15th September 1921; making a year old than he actually is!

On his AMF Attestation Form he lists his mother as next of kin: Margaret Jessie Cassidy, residing at 141 George St, Sydney. On the day of his enlistment he is marched into the General Details Depot, Sydney.

On the 25th August 1941 Bill is marched out to the 1^st training Battalion, Sydney and then taken at strength into the 5^th Training Battalion, Tamworth. On completion of training in Tamworth, he is taken at strength into the 8^th Training Battalion, at Dubbo, to undertake further training.

 On the 10^th October 1941 Bill is granted seven (7) days Pre-Embarkation Leave, in preparation for being sent abroad.

Following the leave and having been received from the 2/2 Machine Gun Battalion, Bill joins fellow troops preparing to join convoy US13, abroad HMT “LL” (RMS Queen Mary); the ship embarks for the Middle East [via JarvisBay, Fremantle and Trincomalee, in Ceylon] on 2 November 1941.

 “Embarkation began at 1035 hrs on 1^st Nov 1941 and was completed at 1930 hrs, later that day. The troopship sailed from Pyrmont, Sydney the next day at 0630 hrs with 2887 AIF troops (172 Officers, 121 WO/Sgt’s and 2494 other ranks), 297 RAAF, 221 RAN and 25 RNZN personnel aboard.Bill was one of 196 reinforcements in the 2/2 Machine Gun Battalion bound for the Middle East.

On reaching Perth the HMT “LL” anchored at Gage Roads, Fremantle; and another 1601 personnel joined the ship before it sailed on 7^th Nov 1941.

For british ships, the acronym HMT stood for “Hired Military Transport”.

The convoy code prefix “US” signified Australia to Suez Canal and “SU” signified Suez Canal to Australia.The bridge of the HMT “LL” - Voyage No.6 Convoy 13 was manned by ex Queen Mary ‘voyage only officers’.”

Twenty two days later the troops disembark at Port Tewfik in the Middle East, on 24 November 1941.

“Port Tewfik (Taufiq) is located at the southern end of the Suez canal, near the city of Suez.After being rebuilt in Palestine, the 2/2^nd MG Bn manned defences in northern Syria between October 1941 and January 1942.”

On the 2^nd February 1942 Bill is taken at strength from the Machine Gun Training Battalion (MG Tng Bn) and marched out to the 2^nd Company Australian Army Service Corps (2 Coy AASC).

 On the 12^th March 1942 the 2 Coy AASC embarks from the Middle East bound for Ceylon. After 12 days sailing the troops of the 2 Coy AASC disembark in Ceylon on the 24 March 1942.

The 6th and 7th Divisions were recalled from the Mediterranean and North Africa to defend Australia. The 2/2nd left the Middle East, heading for the war against Japan, on 11th March 1942. . The 16th and 17th Brigades, however, were diverted on the voyage home.Between 27th March and 13th July they defended Ceylon (current-day Sri Lanka) from possible Japanese attack. Many 6th Division troops served on Ceylon (now Sri Lanka) briefly before returning to Australia. The 2/2nd MG Bn finally disembarked in Australia, at Melbourne, on 4 August 1942.

 On the 30^th May 1942 Bill’s mother dies, but Bill won’t learn this for some months! Bill’s three (3) month posting in Ceylon comes to an end when he embarks for Australia on 10^th July 1942. After almost a month at sea the ship disembarks Bill’s unit at Melbourne on 7^th August 1942.

On the morning of 12^th September 1942 Bill goes absent without leave (AWL) for 5 days, returning to his unit at 2100 hrs on the 16^th September. The exact reason for him going AWL is not known, however the following facts may explain his action:

(i)              He has been overseas for nine months.

(ii)             He is about to be sent to Townsville for embarkation to New Guinea.

(iii)            While making his way to see his mother, he learns that she has died, from someone he meets in the streets of Hurstville.

(iv)           The 15^th of September is his Birthday.

Bill is posted to Brisbane for about six (6) weeks, and then sent to Townsville. On the 30^th November 1942 the 2/2 Australia Company, having sent a week in Townsville, embarks for New Guinea. The 2/2 Aust Coy AASC disembarks in New Guinea on 4th December 1942. During December 1942 Bill finds himself in MilneBay.

On the 29 December 1942 Bill is evacuated by the 11^th Australian Field Ambulance and transferred to the No. 10 Australian Casualty Clearing Station and placed on the “X” list, due to cerebral malaria. On the 4^th January 1943 Bill is struck off the “X” list and rejoins the 2/2 Aust Coy AASC. On the 28^th January 1943 he is graded a group III Clerk. In February 1943 Bill is in Port Moresby and writes a letter to RAAF recruiting deport, in Sydney, to request an air crew application form. On 25^th May 1943 Bill is issued with an AMF Army Driving Licence No. 103229 endorsed for vehicle types 1A, 1B, 2A and 3B.             1A – Cars & Vans (synchromesh gear boxes), 1B – Vans (plain gear boxes)            2A – Ambulances, Trucks 15-cwt, Lorries 30-cwt & over and FWD’s,             3B – Tractors (wheeled), Tractors (arty), FWD, WD type trucks, Vehicles and Transporters; including Trailers On the 4^th July 1943, while still in New Guinea, Bill’s transferred to the 2/155 Australian Transport Company. He is taken on strength from the 2/2 Aust Coy AASC and marched out to the Australian 2/1 Corps Receiving Camp for movement to No 2 Australian Transport Training Depot (2 ATTD) at Randwick Racecourse. In August 1943 Bill attends a radar officer course. On the 1 November 1943 Bill is granted permission by Capt. C. E. Trythall, Adjutant 2 ATTD, to join the RAAF, if classified fit.  Bill was credited with a total of 835 days active service in the AIF: 133 days in Australia (16 Jul 43 – 25 Nov 43) and 621 days outside Australia (2 Nov 41 – 15 Jul 43).  On the 25th Nov 1943 Bill is discharged from the AIF and then attends the Sydney No. 2 Recruiting Centre, the next day to complete a Citizen Air Force Attestation Form for enlistment in the RAAF. At the No. 2 Initial Training School Lindfield Park Bill is enrolled in Pilot Observer Wireless Air Gunner Course 48Q conducted at the No. 6 initial Training School Bradfield Park. His rank is Aircraftman Class II (AC II). Bill successfully completes course 48Q two month later on the 25 February 1944; promoted to Leading Aircraftman (LAC) he is sent to No. 2 Embarkation Depot and then on to Brisbane. On the 25 March 1944 Bill embarks for Canada to undertake aircrew training in the Royal Canadian Air Force, arriving on the 16 April 1944 at No. 3 “M” (Manning) Depot Edmonton. This date marks the start of Bills training in the Empire Air Training Scheme, in the RCAF.  On the 6th May 1944 Bill commences Navigator Courses 101 and 101A at No. 5 Air Observer School, Winnipeg. The course consists of air and ground work. Bill completes 83.75 hours flying time as observer crew, in an Anson aircraft. His flying time consists of 58 hours daytime and 26 hours night time flying.  “Unable to make satisfactory showing in ground subjects” Bill is re-mustered from navigator to air gunner.  Bill is then sent to the No. 3 Bombing & Gunnery School, Armament Training Squadron at Macdonald and commencesWireless Operator & Air Gunner Course 92 on 25^th September 1944. The course consists of air and ground work at which Bill excels. Bill completes 15.25 hours daylight flying time as an air gunner, in both Bolingbroke and Bristol aircraft. Bill successfully completes course 92 on 15^th December 1944 gaining his Air Gunners Badge and a promotion to Sergeant. This date marks the end of Bills training in the Empire Air Training Scheme, in the RCAF. During his time in Canada Bill travels on the Canadian Pacific Railway and stays at the Chateau Frontenac, a metropolitan hotel in one of the most historic and romantic cities of North America, Quebec. On the 4^th Jan 1945 Bill is posted to the 2 AGTS (No.2 Air Gunner Training School) at Calgary, in preparation for returning to Australia. On the 20^th January 1945 transits through San Francisco, on route to Australia. Bills journey includes a stopover in Hollandia (Dutch New Guinea) on the 8^th January 1945, before finally arriving at No. 3 Personnel Depot, Sandgate, Queensland.  On the 12^th March 1945 Bill is posted to the No2 Personnel Depot, BradfieldPark, NSW.  Then on the 26^th May 1945 Bill is admitted to No 3 RAAF Hospital, for a month; he is subsequently promoted to Flight Sargent on 15^th June 1945. His records show he was still attached to 2 PD Bradfield Park on 12^th October 1945. No 3 RAAFHospital encompassed three (3) sitesBradfieldPark, Concord, & Richmond On the 1^st November 1945 Bill is transferred to the RAAF Reserve so that he can resume his studies at SydneyUniversity in 1946. He remains a reservist till his discharge on 21 August 1947.  Post War Years In 1946 Bill returned to his studies at The University of Sydney and successfully completed Physics I, Workshop Practice and Engineering Design & Drawing I. The following year he successfully completed Mathematics I and Descriptive Geometry.  During this time Bill undertook an accountancy course with the Hemingway Robertson Institute. From December 1948 till October 1949 Bill worked at Australian Glass Manufacturers, Dowling St, Waterloo, as shift process worker. The work involved the inspection and packing of glassware. From November 1949 till 1^st April 1951 Bill was employed as a chemical plant operator at Imperial Chemical Industries (ICI), Beauchamp Rd, Matraville. This ICI plant produced chemicals and plastics. Bill performed shift work operating plant machinery that produced solvents and plastic powder. On the 26^th April 1951 Bill joined the Stevedoring Industry Board (SIB) as a statistical clerk, at Hosking House - Sydney. He undertook general statistical work concerning the loading and discharging of cargo, cargo tonnages, rates of work, attendance money, hours and wages. He also performed some research work with regard to material for annual reports and future movements of exports & imports. During his time with SIB Bill was transferred to Port Kembla where he worked as a labour allocation clerk, planning the daily allocation of labour, attendance money records and annual leave records. Bill left the SIB on the 21^st April 1954. Circa 1952-53 Bill spends about a month at LadyDavidsonHospital undergoing treatment for tuberculosis (TB). On the 17^th May 1954 Bill commences employment with the President Group of companies working for the service subsidiary company, General Appliance Service Pty Ltd, pricing invoices, debtors’ ledge control, and credit control as well as handling telephone account queries. In September 1955 he is transferred to the manufacturing subsidiary President Industries Pty Ltd, a refrigeration manufacturer, located at, 821 Botany Rd, Alexandria.  As a cost clerk some of his duties included purchase invoice allocations, costing steel purchases and usage, preparing labour efficiency reports for management. He also prepared standard cost and work in progress work ups. In October 1963 Bill receives notification confirming his appointment with the Electricity Commission of NSW, as a Clerk Grade 2 in the Administrative – Reserve of Clerks division. He continues working for the “Commission” til he retires some twenty years later.

Version as at 1 Nov 2011