FLEAY, Norman Lawrence
| Service Number: | WX361 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 7 November 1939 |
| Last Rank: | Lieutenant Colonel |
| Last Unit: | 2nd/7th Cavalry (Commando) Regiment |
| Born: | Wagin, Western Australia, 2 December 1917 |
| Home Town: | Maylands, Bayswater, Western Australia |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Printing Compositor, Soldier, Army Officer |
| Died: | Mary Potter Hospice, North Adelaide, South Australia, 7 March 2001, aged 83 years, cause of death not yet discovered |
| Cemetery: | Not yet discovered |
| Memorials: |
World War 2 Service
| 7 Nov 1939: | Enlisted Private, WX361 | |
|---|---|---|
| 7 Nov 1939: | Enlisted Australian Military Forces (Army WW2), Lieutenant Colonel, WX361 | |
| 1 Feb 1946: | Discharged Lieutenant Colonel, 2nd/7th Cavalry (Commando) Regiment | |
| 1 Feb 1946: | Discharged Australian Military Forces (Army WW2), Lieutenant Colonel, WX361 |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by Robert Kearney
The son of Walter William Edward and Elizabeth (nee Farmer) Fleay, Normal Lawrence Fleay was born at Wagin, WA on 2 December 1917. He was living in Maylands, WA and working as a printing compositor when he enlisted in the AIF on 7 November 1939.
Private N L Fleay embarked at Fremantle on 20 April 1940 with the 2/11th Battalion for service in the Middle East. Fleay was quickly promoted to lieutenant and saw service in North Africa and Greece, where he was wounded in the leg in April 1941. Early in 1942, the 6th and 7th Divisions returned to Australia and Fleay, now a major, was seconded to the New Guinea Volunteer Rifles in April 1942. He was soon promoted to temporary lieutenant colonel and appointed as commanding officer of Kanga Force.
Fleay was awarded the Distinguished Service Order (DSO) for his work around Lae / Salamaua in late 1942. His citation reads, 'Lieutenant Colonel Fleay was in charge of Kanga Force when I assumed command of New Guinea force. Up to that stage his Commando operations had been distinguished by vision, enthusiasm and the utmost determination to hamper the enemy to the greatest extent possible in the Lae and Salamaua area. Although it was not possible to reinforce Kanga Force before fresh enemy troops arrived towards the end of August , Lieutenant Colonel Fleay continued his offensive tactics with such force as was available. As a result little, if any, fresh penetration was made by the enemy. Lieutenant Colonel Fleay's general outlook, his personal gallantry and his powers of leadership combine to make him an inspiration to the troops who have kept going in spite of very great difficulties.'.
Fleay relinquished command of Kanga Force in August 1943, and after service with the 24th Infantry Battalion, joined the 2/7th Australian Cavalry (Commando) Regiment in January 1944. He was appointed commanding officer in May. The regiment remained with the 7th Division and its final campaign was at Balikpapan, Borneo, in July 1945. Lieutenant Colonel Fleay left Borneo on 23 December 1945, arriving at Australia on New Years eve. He was demobilised in January 1946 and his appointment terminated the next month. Norman Lawrence Fleay died at Mary Potter Hospice, North Adelaide on 7 March 2001. - Australian War Memorial - Accession Number REL39523
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