BIRCH, Ronald Nelson Robert
| Service Number: | WX4717 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 23 June 1940 |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 2nd/16th Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Fremantle, Western Australia, 4 May 1913 |
| Home Town: | Fremantle, Fremantle, Western Australia |
| Schooling: | Fremantle Boys School, Western Australia |
| Occupation: | Labourer |
| Died: | Killed in Action, Papua, 1 December 1942, aged 29 years |
| Cemetery: |
Port Moresby (Bomana) War Cemetery, Papua New Guinea CWGC Grave No: Section C, Plot 5, Row D, Grave 4 (C5.D.4). Inscription: "Staunch and true, a worthy son; in honour's cause, his duty done." |
| Memorials: | Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Kings Park Western Australia State War Memorial |
World War 2 Service
| 3 Sep 1939: | Involvement Private, WX4717 | |
|---|---|---|
| 23 Jun 1940: | Enlisted Australian Military Forces (WW2) , Private, WX4717, 2nd/16th Infantry Battalion |
WW2
The details provided are taken from the book "1000 Men at War" the history of the 2nd/16th Infantry Battalion, published 1959, refer to page 175. Ronald was born4th May 1913, and prior to the war he was a labourer of Fremantle WA. He served with the 2nd/16th Inf Bn as a private soldier. Unfortunately, he was Killed In Action 1st Dec 1942. Rest In Peace. Lest We Forget.
Submitted 21 May 2020 by Maxwell HILL
Biography contributed by Geoff Tilley
Ronald Nelson Robert Birch was born in May 1913 at Fremantle, Western Australia to parents Richard Aubrey and Hannah Maud Birch who were married in South Fremantle in 1898.
Ronald was one of eight siblings, where he attended the Fremantle Boys School.
After completing his schooling Ronald found work as a labourer.
He was also a keen sportsman playing cricket and tennis with his older brother Horace. He was also a passionate supporter of the South Fremantle Football Club.
In June 1940 Ronald enlisted into the AIF at Perth.
At the time he was living in Amherst Street East Fremantle with his father and three brothers. His mother had died in 1938.
After completing his training at Northam, he embarked for overseas service from Fremantle, disembarking in Egypt in November 1940. The battalion moved to Palestine to continue training.
In early 1941 the battalion was sent to the Egypt-Libya border to defend against a possible German attack. This attack did not eventuate with the battalion returning back to Palestine in April 1941.
By June 1941 the battalion commenced their campaign in Syria-Lebanon in action against the Vichy French for the next six months.
By early 1942 the battalion had returned back to Palestine and started preparing to return back to Australia due to the Japanese Army sweeping through South East Asia.
It was in March 1942 Ronald arrived in Fremantle destine for Queensland to conduct jungle training.
By August 1942 they embarked from Australia arriving in Port Moresby a week later where they were rushed into the lines along the Kokoda Track.
With the battalion outnumbered by the Japanese they halted the Japanese advances on the ridges near Port Moresby.
With heavy rain during this time the men endured exhausting terrain, with many suffering from malaria and dysentery.
By December 1942 the battalion had reached the northern side of the Kokoda Track at Gona where they attacked the well-prepared positions of the Japanese.
Even though they gained their objective, they suffered heavy casualties only to withdraw due to their depleted numbers.
It was during these attacks at Gona that Ronald was killed in action, his exact fate is unknown.
Private Ronald Nelson Robert Birch, service number WX4717 of 2/16th Battalion was killed in action on the 1stDecember 1942. He was 29 years of age.
He is buried at the Port Moresby (Bomana) War Cemetery, New Guinea and is remembered with honour.
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