Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Before my father passed away he wrote stories of his life. He typed them on his much loved computer and I had access to it. Following are some stories he wrote about his time in the army.

GJ Rounsefell (son)


KEDRON PARK 1945

In April 1945 I was at Kedron Park awaiting to be sent overseas. When it became 1700 hrs. I decided that they would not send us to board a troop ship at night, so I decided to slip to Redcliffe for the night. All went well, I caught the first bus back the following morning, when all should have been OK, but the authorities decided to close the camp because of the early removal of troops. Provosts were everywhere, how could I get back in? What a problem. God came to my rescue, with a Hunter Bros. truck ( one to collect the night soil) arrival I explained my problem to the driver and he was happy to allow me to get in amongst the tins. Strangely the truck was not stopped at all. I therefore made my successful reentry into camp well in time for us to be transported to the awaiting troop ship the “Sea Barb” This ship was rather unique as it was fitted with steam turbines and it could go quite fast. A good thing for a troopship. It finally delivered us (2000 in all) safely to Morotai. On the troop ship for meals the soldiers were divided into 6 groups. Breakfast began at 0600 hrs. a d the groups followed in succession, but when the last group was finished the first group lined up for lunch.


BALIKPAPAN 1945

In late July 1945 I was at Balikpapan, Borneo when a group of us, 38 in all were camped in an area near Kampong Baru close to Balikpapan, when one night one of our members had to go to the toilet. Army toilets were a trench dug in the ground with a log placed to balance on. This soldier decided to light a match to find where he was going to sit and then decided to throw the lighted match in the pit. BOOM up it went. Apparently the volume of methane gas mixed with oxygen created an explosive mixture. This soldier was so badly burned that he was eventually returned to Australia. The explosion had other effects. All the personal were out of their tents, some with weapons, but all in the nude as it was so hot that all slept raw. One or two even had their girl friends with them. Oh what a mess. Clean up was a very difficult job. Our group was moved out next day. We often wonder what reason this soldier gave his friends as to what caused his injuries.