HERITAGE NOOSA
HERITAGE NOOSA
Valentine Colin Read
DETAILS
Also Known AsV. C. ReadPeter ReadAdditional InformationValentine Colin Read, known locally as Peter, enlisted in the Australian Army in October 1939 and was assigned to 2/9th Battalion. He was a 28 year old store assistant from Tewantin. He embarked for overseas service in May 1940 and arrived in Scotland in June 1940.
In November 1940 he departed Glasgow for the Middle East. In early 1941 he was promoted twice, to Lance Corporal and then Acting Corporal.
In late April 1941 he sustained gunshot wounds to the scalp and buttocks when troops were dive bombed by enemy aircraft in Tobruk, killing four and wounding six. Valentine was evacuated to 2nd Australian General Hospital and then to 1st Australian Convalescent Hospital. After several months recuperation he was assigned to the AIF Infantry School in Palestine.
In October 1941 he rejoined the 2/9th and in December his rank of corporal was confirmed. In April 1942 he returned to Australia and dispatched to Bonegilla for training. In June 1942 Valentine was promoted to Sergeant. In March 1943, Valentine arrived in Milne Bay and was further promoted joining the commissioned ranks. He joined the Infantry Reinforcements 2/5th Battalion as an Acting Lieutenant.
He returned to Australia in September 1943 and in December 1943 was transferred to 2/2 Australian General Hospital suffering with post-concussion headaches. In August 1944, Valentine was severely wounded when two mortars prematurely exploded during field firing practice at Howells Creek firing range. He subsequently died of these wounds. The coroner found that this was an accident and there was no negligence involved. He is buried in Cowra War Cemetery (NSW).
Numerous memoriam notices were placed in the paper the following August (and in subsequent years) by his parents, extended family and friend.
Read's name appears on the Tewantin War Memorial
In November 1940 he departed Glasgow for the Middle East. In early 1941 he was promoted twice, to Lance Corporal and then Acting Corporal.
In late April 1941 he sustained gunshot wounds to the scalp and buttocks when troops were dive bombed by enemy aircraft in Tobruk, killing four and wounding six. Valentine was evacuated to 2nd Australian General Hospital and then to 1st Australian Convalescent Hospital. After several months recuperation he was assigned to the AIF Infantry School in Palestine.
In October 1941 he rejoined the 2/9th and in December his rank of corporal was confirmed. In April 1942 he returned to Australia and dispatched to Bonegilla for training. In June 1942 Valentine was promoted to Sergeant. In March 1943, Valentine arrived in Milne Bay and was further promoted joining the commissioned ranks. He joined the Infantry Reinforcements 2/5th Battalion as an Acting Lieutenant.
He returned to Australia in September 1943 and in December 1943 was transferred to 2/2 Australian General Hospital suffering with post-concussion headaches. In August 1944, Valentine was severely wounded when two mortars prematurely exploded during field firing practice at Howells Creek firing range. He subsequently died of these wounds. The coroner found that this was an accident and there was no negligence involved. He is buried in Cowra War Cemetery (NSW).
Numerous memoriam notices were placed in the paper the following August (and in subsequent years) by his parents, extended family and friend.
Read's name appears on the Tewantin War Memorial
IDENTIFIERS
Subject (Keywords)World War II
Valentine Colin Read. Heritage Noosa, accessed 01/10/2023, https://heritage.noosa.qld.gov.au/nodes/view/4503
