Albert Cleary
Appearance
Albert Neil Cleary | |
---|---|
Born | Geelong, Victoria | 16 June 1919
Died | 20 March 1945 Sandakan, Borneo | (aged 25)
Buried | |
Allegiance | Australia |
Service | Second Australian Imperial Force |
Years of service | 1941–1945 |
Rank | Gunner |
Service number | VX52128 |
Unit | 2/15th Field Regiment |
Battles / wars | |
Awards | Commendation for Gallantry |
Albert Neil Cleary (16 June 1919 – 20 March 1945)[1] was an Australian soldier during World War II. Part of the 2/15th Field Regiment, Royal Australian Artillery, he became a prisoner of war to the Japanese following the Battle of Singapore. He died following an escape attempt in 1945. In 2001, the Australian Labor Party introduced a bill to have Cleary and two others awarded the Victoria Cross for Australia, however this was defeated by the Federal Liberal Government.[2] In 2011, Cleary was awarded a posthumous Commendation for Gallantry.[3] Cleary's death was revealed by historian Lynette Silver to have been caused by dysentery, calling into doubt his elevation as a war hero.[4]
References
[edit]- ^ "Cleary, Albert Neil". World War II Nominal Roll. Commonwealth of Australia. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 23 July 2009.
- ^ Sidebottom, Sid, MP (4 June 2001). "First Reading Speech of the Defence Act Amendment". Victoria Cross Bill 2001. House of Representatives – Commonwealth of Australia. pp. 1–3. Retrieved 22 July 2009.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)[permanent dead link ] - ^ Commendation for Gallantry Archived 22 December 2011 at the Wayback Machine, Commonwealth of Australia Gazette S143, 28 September 2011.
- ^ "VC award would be based on lies, military historian warns". The Sydney Morning Herald. 13 March 2012.
Categories:
- 1919 births
- 1945 deaths
- Australian prisoners of war
- Australian military personnel killed in World War II
- People from Geelong
- Australian torture victims
- World War II prisoners of war held by Japan
- Australian Army personnel of World War II
- Deaths from dysentery
- Australian Army soldiers
- Burials at Labuan War Cemetery