VX45355

2/2nd Pioneer Battalion

Carlton 12 January 1914

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

24 July 1940 at Caulfield

Leongatha

Farm labourer

27 June 1941, aged 27, in Syria

He is buried in the Damascus Commonwealth War Cemetery

He lived in Leongatha


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.

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