Robert William Edward ROMERIL - 1939-1945

 

SERVICE AND CASUALTY FORM

Name: Robert William Edward ROMERIL
Army No.: V81005
Unit: 12 Garrison Battalion
Rank: (Not specified, but later promoted to Corporal)
Enlistment Date: 7 October 1939
Place of Enlistment: Melbourne
Date of Birth: 3 July 1887
Place of Birth: Sydney, N.S.W.
Occupation: Labourer
Religion: Church of England
Marital Status: Married
Next of Kin: Josephine Romeril (Wife)
Address of NOK: Williams Rd., Briar Hill, Victoria
Medical Classification: B2 (fit for limited duties)
Eyes: Blue | Hair: Fair

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A Labourer in Uniform — The Quiet Service of Robert Romeril

Guarding the Home Front: The War Service of Robert (Bert) Romeril, 1939–1945

As World War II erupted in Europe in 1939, nations across the British Commonwealth rallied to support the cause. In Australia, while young men rushed to join the ranks heading for overseas combat, others, often older or medically limited, stood up to serve in less heralded but vital roles. Among them was 'Bert' Romeril, a 52-year-old labourer from Briar Hill, Victoria.

Robert William Edward Romeril (centre) with his son Edward Thomas (on right)

Born in Sydney in 1887, Bert was already a seasoned working man when he enlisted on 7 October 1939 in Melbourne. At an age when many of his peers were considered too old for front-line service, Bert joined the 12th Garrison Battalion, a unit tasked with guarding strategic facilities, infrastructure, and prisoners of war on Australian soil. His enlistment—at 52 years old—speaks to the sense of duty that motivated so many Australians during the war.

Soon after enlistment, he was promoted to Corporal, indicating leadership and reliability. His battalion operated largely in Camp Pell, a key military facility in inner Melbourne that housed American and Australian troops. This camp played a crucial role in domestic defence and logistics.

In April 1941, Bert was hospitalised at the 115th Australian General Hospital in Caulfield, a facility that treated thousands of soldiers during the war. He recovered and returned to duty that same month—an impressive turnaround for a man in his mid-fifties.

Bert's records show he served until the final year of the war, remaining active even after Victory in Europe Day in May 1945. His role evolved to encompass movement between units, including postings connected to Cape Town (possibly administrative or logistical in nature) and detachments from the Australian Army Service Corps.

He was officially discharged on 19 July 1945, marking the end of a six-year military contribution. His last notation places him once again at Camp Pell, where his service journey had begun.

Unlike the battlefield heroics often recounted in wartime histories, Robert Romeril’s story is a reminder of the quiet endurance of men who served at home—guarding, managing, and supporting the war machine from behind the lines. In Australia’s vast war effort, these roles were no less essential, and the men who filled them deserve to be remembered with the same respect as those who served abroad.

Bert returned to his home at 30 Williams Road, Briar Hill and his wife, Josephine Annie Romeril (nee Brudus)  

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 📜 Service Timeline: Key Events

Date	Event	Details
10.10.39	Taken on Strength	Joined service at Camp Pell
1.12.39	Promoted	Promoted to Corporal
3.4.41	Hospitalisation	Admitted to 115th AGH (Caulfield)
28.4.41	Returned to Unit	From hospital
16.10.42	Reposted	Transferred from Station HQ
23.3.45	Serving	With Unit (12 Garrison Battalion)
21.4.45	Movement	From Cape Town to older class “B”
1.5.45	Moved to 12 Garrison Battalion	Returned from AASC
5.7.45	On Release	From 12 Garrison Battalion
19.7.45	Discharge	Cessation of Detachment duties
7.5.46	Final Notation	Camp Pell (Melbourne)

Written with the assistance of AI