Number VX32218

Battalion 2/22nd Infantry Battalion

Place of Birth Fitzroy 26 January 1916

Next of Kin William Jones, his brother

He is the son of Edward and Selina Jones

Date and place of enlistment 18 June 1940

Location on enlistment Tarwin Lower

Occupation labourer

Date and place of death 23 January 1942 aged 25 at Rabaul New Britain Papua New Guinea

Location of grave or memorial

His name is on the Rabaul Memorial and memorials in Leongatha and Tarwin Lower

Relationship to Woorayl Shire

He lived in Tarwin Lower



Military History

Fred was placed in the 2/22nd Battalion and trained at Mt Martha before going to Trawool near Seymour. The battalion then marched on foot from Trawool to Bonegilla near Albury for further training.

Soldiers of the 2/22nd Battalion were given a few days leave to see their families and friends before returning to Bonegilla and going away to the war. The men travelled to Sydney by rail then headed north by sea. The battalion sailed to into Rabaul Harbour on Anzac Day 1941.

The men continued training waiting to see what would happen next. Would the Japanese attack? Bombing started in late 1941 and the situation became very serious. The undermanned force was in serious trouble. The Japanese landed with a large force and quickly over ran Rabaul on 23 January 1942.

Fred is believed to have been killed in the 23 January invasion and has no known grave.