Australian Army Museum of Western Australia > Records

World War 2, Western Australia, Rottnest Island AIF Enlistment, W19973 to WX25017 CORNELL, 1942

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Subcollections

Australian Imperial Force Enlistments from Rottnest - 1942-1945

Overview

Private Robert George Cornell from Ajana WA was serving as W19973 on Rottnest in 10 Garrison Battalion. He volunteered for AIF service as WX25077 on 24 July 1942 in 2/28 Battalion AIF.

Historical information

Before December 1941 members of the Australian Military Force (AMF - home service only) could join the Australian Imperial Force (AIF - eligible for overseas service). However once their AMF unit was mobilized they could not leave their unit to join the AIF. In July 1942 this prohibition was lifted.

Details

Registration number

cwa-org-32-45-014

Item type

Digital Prints

Contextual information

On the night of 26/27 July 1942 during the First Battle of El Alamein, 2/28 Battalion lost more than 80% of its personnel at the time. These losses were incurred when the 2/28th was tasked with occupying a forward position known to the Allies as "Ruin Ridge”. After taking the position, the 2/28th was cut off and surrounded by German infantry and armour. After it became clear that his force could not be relieved, Lt Col. Lew McCarter surrendered: 489 members of the 2/28th went into captivity, Another 55 were subsequently listed as killed in action at Ruin Ridge. 105 personnel from the battalion had either withdrawn successfully, or had not been directly involved in the operation. They constituted the cadre upon which the battalion was re-formed, after returning to Palestine. The 10 Garrison Battalion AIF enlistments from Rottnest were largely directed towards the rebuilding of 2/28 Battalion.

Geotag

-27.949884961423, 114.60738363671
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