In March 1941 25-year-old Albert enlists in the Australian army. Initially with the 38th Battalion, he is soon re-assigned to the recently re-raised 39th Battalion.

Training with the 39th is cut short as the situation in the Pacific quickly deteriorates. By December 1941 Albert is bound for New Guinea on recommissioned cruise ship The Aquitania. He arrives in Port Moresby several days later.

Initially the 39th is used to defend the airfield at Seven Mile Aerodrome near Port Moresby and to carry out other garrison tasks such as building defences and unloading stores at the wharf. With the military situation in New Guinea continuing to worsen the battalion is ordered to move up the Kokoda Track to block possible Japanese advances from the north. This proves to be a timely deployment as a large Japanese contingent land at Gona and move quickly towards Kokoda.

By July 1942 Albert and his comrades are seeing their share of action with the Japanese attacking the main position at Kokoda. Casualties on both sides are high as the Australians resort to hand-to-hand combat. Fierce battles erupt over the airfield in August. The 39th secure one side of the airfield but due to the close proximity of the Japanese on the other side, relief planes can’t land. Short of food and ammunition, the 39th is forced to fall back to Deniki after almost two days of fighting.

It was during this period of heavy fighting Albert survives a certain death when an enemy bullet hits him in the chest close to his heart. Rather fortuitously he is carrying a tin of Anti-gas Ointment No.2 in his left chest pocket. The tin bares the brunt of the shot leaving a perfect one centimetre by one centimetre bullet sized hole scarily close to the edge. Anti-gas ointment No.2 was effective against both mustard gas and lewisite vapour.

Once exposed a speedy application is required to neutralise the effects and severity of burns due to exposure to blister gas. Who knew ointment designed to save from gas burns could be a lifesaver against enemy bullets as well.

By late 1942 the battle weary 39th is relieved and sent down the track to Koitaki to rest. They have done the job required of them by stalling the Japanese advance until reinforcements arrive. Reinforcement come in the shape of the 25th Brigade and by November 2 Kokoda is back in Australian hands.

Throughout November and December allied forces, including the 39th Battalion, continue their marches against the Japanese, taking territory through fierce firefights. During this period of heavy fighting Albert is wounded on the December 15, 1942. Rather uncomfortably, he has sustained a gunshot wound to the buttock.

He leaves Port Moresby on December 28 and recuperates at the Melbourne Heidelberg Military hospital from January 1, 1943. From the hospital he sends word to his family of his condition.

“Dear Mam,

Sorry to say I am laid up in hospital for a while wounded. I am feeling a lot better now and am getting good attention here in hospital. Don’t worry too much as I’ll be ok, there is no bones broken, so I have only to wait till the wounds heal up.

I hope you all at home are well, also hope you don’t go the ale too much at Xmas time. Hope the boss has finished the harvest; did the old binder breakdown? I hope not.

I saw Brownie and Pop Eye about a week ago; they are still going strong and wish to be remembered to you all. I think we’ll close down now, so here’s to a cheery and Beerie Christmas and a happy new year. Love AB” – Written by Vic Russle

With Albert already recuperating in Melbourne the rest of the 39th Battalion returns to Australia for rest on March 12, 1943. Once rested the 39th is disbanded and those fit enough are used to reinforce the 16th and 19th brigades. Albert arrives back in Port Moresby on November 11, 1943 and is reassigned to the 19th Brigade. During this tour of duty he doesn't see much action and is assigned to mess and coffee making duties as he battles bouts of malaria, hookworm and dysentery.

The following are some extracts from Albert's war diary which he kept on his second tour of duty in New Guinea.

He misses his friends from the 39th while boredom is a constant companion over the next few months.  

“Old Major Harrison went to town on me for taking down 19th colours and keeping up 39th miniature. Had the hide to tell me 19th had a reputation that the 39th would never have. So in keeping with our old motto; “Deeds not words,” I held my peace and walked away.”

and later:

“Well the details have shifted to Lae and I am now with my own unit. My job is to attend in the Sergent’s mess. These goats here don’t know there’s a war on. (As) for my old friends of the 39th infantry – they were men and true friends.”

Seemingly over his gunshot wound but with leg pain still, Albert’s treatment for malaria is an ongoing thing from February 1943.

“Crook for about four days then able to take plenty of nourishment. Finished treatment for malaria and got dysentery.”

Had good time lying down resting peacefully. Met Sister Raven (old Dunolly girl) She’s sweet on the Doc and he on her.”

“Leg and hip very stiff – must see Doc. Saw Doc about leg. Filled out medical board papers. 13.20 medical classification reckon I just missed getting a D (discharge) by a whisker. Trouble is I look a fright so they keep me up here. Why I don’t know as I haven’t done anything for the war effort since December 1942.”

“Well got moved from tent to NGDD - some food seeing I was over intelligent – tried me in charge of the yell cat hut and boy I make a good brew of coffee. Truly my friend I have a very varied career in this man’s army. B Class confirmed – put into canteen – prices a bit hard but coming better on them every day.

Had a couple of weeks down on the strip making coffee for those who travel by air. Great bludge but I’m getting a sore behind sitting down but get plenty of yap from the yanks. The pilots of the Aussie transport missed their coffee when I was up  there.”

And loses a job or two….

“Back at details lying on my spine again. Believe I’m turning into a first class bludger. The bar men went on leave and he roped me for the job. Only lasted a week in that time I managed to break a bottle of his rum worth 6 pounds – what a tragedy.”

Filling in time is difficult with what sounds like a lot of lying around:

“Well life is extra quiet now only four in camp besides the staff. I’m becoming an expert at spine bashing. Old wireless conked out so are without news.”

There are always the Americans to keep him amused:

“Mass at chapel at American hospital – very nice – one of the best services I’ve seen – alter nicely decorated by American sisters – also some nice singing. Our priest is a pretty hard man and he can hand out a stiff sentence – I guess he needs to be.”

“I go over and watch the Yankees ball game every evening – no doubt they can barrack even talk poppy down I think.”

During WW2 in New Guinea the 39th Battalion had 1,666 men serve in its ranks. The battalion suffered 403 combat casualties, which consisted of 118 killed in action, 13 died of wounds, five died other causes, and 266 wounded in action. Illness and disease also took a heavy toll. Members received eight battle honours for the war in 1961 and it was the only Australian unit to receive the "Kokoda Trail" battle honour.

Albert survived the war and was discharged from the army on 15 November 1944. He returned to the family farm in Bealiba and set about living a quiet life. Those who knew him well believed although his wonderful sense of humour was still intact, the war had changed him forever.

On June 11, 1974, unable to come to terms with his war time memories, Albert strapped weights to his body and walked into a dam on the family property. He was 58-years-old and WW2 had been over for nearly three decades, but his family and friends knew his death was as directly related to the war as a fatal shot from a snipers bullet.

Support is available for anyone who may be distressed by phoning Lifeline: 13 11 14 or Mensline: 1300 789 978.