CHOWNE, Albert
| Service Number: | NX24405 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 27 May 1940 |
| Last Rank: | Lieutenant |
| Last Unit: | 2nd/2nd Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, 19 July 1920 |
| Home Town: | Willoughby, Willoughby, New South Wales |
| Schooling: | Chatswood Boys Intermediate High School and Naremburn Junior Technical School, New South Wales, Australia |
| Occupation: | Salesmen |
| Died: | Killed in Action, New Guinea, 25 March 1945, aged 24 years |
| Cemetery: |
Lae War Cemetery QQ A 8 |
| Memorials: | Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Keith Payne VC Memorial Park, Marulan Liet. Albert Chowne VC Rest Area, North Bondi War Memorial, Willoughby Lieutenant Albert Chowne VC Memorial Hall |
World War 2 Service
| 27 May 1940: | Enlisted Australian Military Forces (Army WW2), Private, NX24405, 2nd/13th Infantry Battalion | |
|---|---|---|
| 2 Apr 1941: | Involvement Australian Military Forces (Army WW2), Private, NX24405, 2nd/13th Infantry Battalion, Siege of Tobruk | |
| 27 Sep 1942: | Promoted Australian Military Forces (Army WW2), Sergeant, 2nd/13th Infantry Battalion | |
| 24 Oct 1942: | Wounded Australian Military Forces (Army WW2), Sergeant, NX24405, 2nd/13th Infantry Battalion, El Alamein | |
| 20 Jul 1943: | Involvement Australian Military Forces (Army WW2), Sergeant, NX24405, 2nd/13th Infantry Battalion, New Guinea - Huon Peninsula / Markham and Ramu Valley /Finisterre Ranges Campaigns | |
| 25 Oct 1943: | Honoured Military Medal, New Guinea - Huon Peninsula / Markham and Ramu Valley /Finisterre Ranges Campaigns, APROVED FOR THE AWARD OF MILITARY MEDAL (Immediate). | |
| 2 Nov 1944: | Involvement Australian Military Forces (Army WW2), Lieutenant, NX24405, 2nd/2nd Infantry Battalion, Aitape - Wewak, New Guinea | |
| 25 Mar 1945: | Honoured Victoria Cross, APROVED FOR THE AWARD OF THE VICTORIA CROSS (immediate ) | |
| 25 Mar 1945: | Involvement Australian Military Forces (Army WW2), Lieutenant, NX24405, 2nd/2nd Infantry Battalion, Aitape - Wewak, New Guinea, Killed in Action near Dagua leading an attack on an enemy position |
WW2
Details in respect of the award of the VICTORIA CROSS are detailed on Google.
Submitted 1 September 2020 by Maxwell HILL
Biography contributed by Robert Kearney
Chowne, Albert Edward (1920–1945)
by Margaret Barter
Albert Edward Chowne, army officer, was born on 19 July 1920 in Sydney, seventh child of Balmain-born parents Arthur James Chowne, grocer, and his wife Frances Ellen, née Dalziel. The Chowne and Dalziel families were well known in the Willoughby district where Bert grew up. Educated at Chatswood Boys' Intermediate High and Naremburn Junior Technical schools, he started work in 1935 as a shirtcutter at David Jones Ltd. Chowne played for Gordon Rugby Union Football Club, and also enjoyed scouting and tennis. He was 5 ft 9 ins (175 cm) tall, with brown hair, a fair complexion and hazel eyes.
Having served briefly in the Militia's 36th Battalion, on 27 May 1940 he enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force; he described himself as a salesman, probably to avoid reserved-occupation status. From the outset, he showed initiative, beginning in the 2nd/13th Battalion as No.15 Platoon runner and soon advancing to company runner. Reaching the Middle East in November 1940, the battalion helped to garrison Tobruk, Libya, from April to December 1941. Chowne transferred to the carrier platoon and in September 1942 was promoted substantive sergeant. His actions in battle were always conspicuous. On 24 October at El Alamein, Egypt, he was wounded and admitted to hospital.
https://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/chowne-albert-edward-9743 (adb.anu.edu.au)
Click images to start slideshow.