WALTER Rex Ellis: The Relatives of Frederick Lionel WALTER

Generation: 1

WALTER Rex Ellis was born 12 Sep 1912, Geelong VIC; died May 1972, Parkville VIC; was buried 26 May 1972, Fawkner Memorial Park, Fawkner VIC.

Other Events:

_UID: 8D7130AA2F334E0981C655B50E5DEC255EB8
Military: Between 7 Jun 1940 and 5 Feb 1941; Served in WWII as No. VX 24092, Private, 2/22 Battalion, Australian Infantry, 2nd. AIF
Military: Between 21 Nov 1942 and 18 Jan 1946; Served in WWII as No. V504057, Driver at HQ 1 Australian Army, 2nd. AIF

Notes:

Believed to have "run away" to sea. Probably pre-WWII but as Rex was discharged from the Army on 18 Jan 1946 when still a young man, it is possible that it was post WWII.

While serving with the 2nd. AIF Rex was convicted of illegal use of a motor car in Geelong on 5 Oct 1940. He pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 4 weeks imprisonment on 10 Oct 1940. This event probably explains the gap in his Army service during WWII. The Army was very obviously happy to have him back in uniform after a suitable 'cooling off' period. During the gap in his military service the 2/22 Battalion was in very heavy action in New Britain where many members were lost and taken prisoner and some were massacred by their captors.

Rex — FREWIN Ivy Evelyn. Ivy was born 1900, Geelong VIC; died 14 Jan 1965, Ascot Vale VIC; was buried 15 Jan 1965, Fawkner Memorial Park, Fawkner VIC. [Group Sheet]