Date Captured:
Date Repatriated:
Awards/Honours: 1939/45 Star, Pacific Star, War Medal, Australian Service Medal, RAS Badge No A227098. Certificate of Discharge No 347277
Veteran Story: William Frederick John Hatton aka Billy commended fulltime service on the 14th November 1941. At the time he was single, aged 27 years 5 months, height 5 feet 8 inches, Complexion Dark, Eyes, Brown, Hair Black. He undertook his training for Signalman at Cabarlah with the 25th Bn being classified Signaller TC 3 on the 2/12/1941. During his training he was charged with " Refusing to obey a lawful order given by a Superior Officer" and was awarded 3 days CB. He embarked from Townsville Qld aboard ship "Bontekoe" on 12/7/1942 sailing for the 8th Military District (Papua, New Guinea, the Solomon Islands and the New Hebrides). On arrival he attended a refresher course in Signals. He contracted Malaria in January 1943 and was evacuated by Sea Ambulance to the 2/14th Australian General Hospital. In October 1943 he returned to Queensland Australia and remained on active service until he was discharged on 18/12/1945. William spent a total period of 1496 days active service, 928 days in Australia and 417 days overseas. Post war his occupation was a Wagon Builder. After completing his war service he resided in Toowoomba Qld until his death on 28/3/1990. William was cremated and is remembered at the Toowoomba Garden of Remembrance.
