NUMBER:

VX45355

BATTALION / UN IT / SHIP:

2/2nd Pioneer Battalion

PLACE & DATE OF BIRTH:

Carlton 12 January 1914

NEXT OF KIN:

Martha Mahomed, his mother. He was the son of Said and Martha Amelia Mahomed, of Tannahills, Victoria.

PLACE & DATE OF ENLISTMENT:

24 July 1940 at Caulfield

LOCATION ON ENLISTMENT:

Leongatha

OCCUPATION:

Farm labourer

PLACE & DATE OF DEATH:

27 June 1941, aged 27, in Syria

LOCATION OF GRAVE/MEMORIAL:

He is buried in the Damascus Commonwealth War Cemetery 

RELATIONSHIP TO WOORAYL SHIRE:

He lived in Leongatha

MILITARY/OTHER HISTORY:

Formed in May 1940 at Puckapunual, the 2/2nd Pioneer Battalion was one of four pioneer battalions raised as part of the 2nd AIF. After completing initial training, the 2/2nd Pioneers embarked upon the Queen Mary in April 1941 and sailed for the Middle East. After arriving in Egypt in May, the battalion eventually served in Syria and Palestine fighting against the Vichy French (The Vichy French were Pro-German. During the Syria -Lebanon actions they fought mainly as infantry. The battalion took part in several attacks, including a two-company frontal assault on 17 June. This resulted in heavy casualties with 27 killed, 46 wounded, and 29 being taken prisoner. Further actions followed before the Vichy French defenders surrendered in July. The total casualties during that campaign were 14 officers and 161 other ranks killed or wounded. Among these was Robert Mahomad.

He also has his name on the Foster Cenotaph and the Leongatha Memorial.