Neville Watson Bertwistle
Neville Watson Bertwistle

In Memory of

Bombardier

Neville Watson Bertwistle

NGX53 1st Australian Anti-Tank Regiment
who died age 28
on 12 April 1941

Son of George Robert Bertwistle and Isabella Jane Bertwistle, of Southport, Queensland, Australia

Remembered with honour
Athens Memorial, Greece

Neville Watson Bertwistle

Bombadier Neville Bertwistle, the son of George Robert Bertwistle and Isabella Jane Bertwistle was born at Toowoomba in Queensland on 30th December 1912.  At the age of 27 years and 1 month he voluntarily enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force on 10th February 1940 at Rabaul in New Guinea.  He had previously served with the 26th Battalion in the Militia since 11th February 1931 until discharged on 1st July 1932.  At the time of his enlistment, he was single and employed as a Clerk and working at Rabaul in New Britain.  His physical description was that he had light brown hair and blue eyes.  He stated that he was of the Presbyterian religion.  He gave his next of kin as his father, Mr. George Robert Alfred Bertwistle, residing at White Street, Southport, Queensland.

Bombadier Neville Bertwistle joined the 2nd Australian Imperial Force Reception Depot at Redbank in Queensland and he was allotted the service number of NGX53.  On 11th April 1940 he was transferred to the 1st Anti-Tank Regiment at Ingleburn in New South Wales.  He embarked for overseas service in the Australian Imperial Force on 4th May 1940.  He disembarked from the ship at Gourock in Scotland on 17th June 1940.  He was detached for duty at Arena Road in London during the period 5th July until 22nd July 1940.  Whilst serving with his unit at Colchester in England he was appointed to the rank of Lance Bombadier on 5th November 1940.  He embarked for overseas service in the Middle East from the port of Liverpool on 14th November 1940 and he disembarked in the Middle East on 29th December 1940.  During the voyage he was promoted to the rank of Acting Bombadier on 23rd November 1940.

Bombadier Neville Bertwistle embarked for Greece on 26th March 1941.  He was killed in action in Greece on 12th April 1941 and buried at Amynteon in Greece.  At the time of his death Neville Bertwistle was 28 years of age.  His body was never recovered therefore his name is commemorated on the Athens Memorial to the Missing in Greece.

His name is commemorated on Panel No. 18 at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra and locally on the Toowoomba Grammar School World War 2 Honour Board.

 

External Links

View on Australian War Memorial

View Military Records

Commonwealth War Graves Commission


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