GREY, Charles Ernest
| Service Numbers: | V43455, VX140304 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 4 January 1940, Preston, Victoria |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 57/60 (amalgamated) Infantry Battalion AMF |
| Born: | Oakleigh, Victoria, 11 February 1919 |
| Home Town: | Reservoir, Darebin, Victoria |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Tanner |
| Died: | Killed in Action, Bougainville, Bougainville, Solomon Islands, Pacific Islands, 24 June 1945, aged 26 years |
| Cemetery: |
Port Moresby (Bomana) War Cemetery, Papua New Guinea Port Moresby (Bomana) War Cemetery, Bomana, Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea |
| Memorials: | Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour |
World War 2 Service
| 4 Jan 1940: | Enlisted Private, V43455, 57/60 (amalgamated) Infantry Battalion AMF, Preston, Victoria | |
|---|---|---|
| 23 Mar 1943: | Enlisted Private, VX140304, Port Moresby, PNG | |
| 27 Mar 1943: | Enlisted Australian Military Forces (WW2) , Private, VX140304 | |
| 18 Jan 1944: | Involvement Private, VX140304, 57/60 (amalgamated) Infantry Battalion AMF, New Guinea - Huon Peninsula / Markham and Ramu Valley /Finisterre Ranges Campaigns | |
| 24 Jun 1945: | Involvement Private, VX140304, 57/60 (amalgamated) Infantry Battalion AMF, Bougainville |
Kokoda Track
I was born on 24 June 1973 in South Africa and immigrated to Australia in 2006.
I walked the Kokoda track between 21-30 October 2018 and decided I would find Australian soldier who had laid down his life in the service of others.
Having no relatives in Australia that was part of the WW2 action and wanting to honour the memories of a fallen soldier, I decided to look at the register at the Port Moresby Bomana Cemetry and find someone who died on the same day I was born.
Charles Ernest Grey was that individual. I thought of him while on the track and he helped me through my own though times when I did not eat for three days and had to dig deep to keep going due to upset stomach.
To honor his sacrifice is to not waste your life, time or your talent as so many like Charles did not have the opportunity and died way to soon.
His grave stone is fitting, it says “ He died that we might live ever rememberd ‘our pal’ “
LEST WE FORGET
Submitted 21 October 2018 by Martin Janse van Rensburg
Biography
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