Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Aubrey Ernest Beattie was born on 11 December 1903 in Rockhampton, Queensland. Before the war he worked as a farmer, grazier, council ranger, and lineman. He married Doris Fitzherbert Coley, who remained his next of kin throughout his service.

Beattie had earlier military experience with the 11th Light Horse Regiment, where he served in a communications‑related capacity. His later enlistment papers record previous service in Field Post & Telegraph/Signals roles, reflecting his civilian trade as a lineman.

He enlisted in the Citizen Military Forces at Toowoomba on 26 September 1941 as Q103910. After initial artillery postings in Queensland, he volunteered for overseas service and transferred to the Australian Imperial Force at Thursday Island on 9 July 1942, becoming QX33684.

Beattie served on Thursday Island for almost two years, performing communications and defence duties in the northern coastal command. In December 1944 he embarked for New Guinea, where he was attached to the 2/9th Australian Infantry Battalion. His role there was in Signals, consistent with his background in line‑laying and field communications.

His service in New Guinea was cut short by chronic medical problems, including prostatitis, vesiculitis, cystitis, cellulitis, and repeated infections. He was hospitalised multiple times in New Guinea and Australia, and his medical classification was progressively downgraded.

Beattie returned to Australia and was discharged at Redbank, Queensland, on 29 October 1945 on medical grounds. His total service amounted to 5 years and 3 days, including 1326 days in Australia and 122 days overseas. He was awarded the Defence Medal, War Medal, and Australia Service Medal. His wife received a Female Relative Badge in 1944.

After the war he returned to rural life in Queensland. He died on 22 April 1976.