Private Alexander Charles Scott Wales: From Infantryman to Craftsman

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Enlisting in the AIF in June 1940 at Wangaratta at the age of 37, Alexander Wales was relatively old by the standards of an Australian serving overseas during the Second World War. It is likely that his decision to enlist was spurred by Germany’s successful invasion of France in the same month, which put Britain at risk of German invasion. He was married and working as a farmer prior to enlisting.

He began training at Caulfield, encamped with thousands of other Australian soldiers on the grounds of the racecourse. He was taken on strength with the 2/24th Battalion and sailed in November 1940, arriving in Egypt a month later. Upon arrival, he was admitted straight to hospital and remained there for another month before rejoining his unit on 24th January 1941.

The Australians saw their first action while he was in hospital, achieving success in the Battle of Bardia. When he returned to the 2/24th Battalion, it was advancing through Libya, with the Italians retreating before them.

He was back in hospital after a month with his unit, his illness flaring up again. Upon recovering, he returned to action on 30th May 1941, besieged by Rommel’s Afrika Korps in the port city of Tobruk. In June, German and Italian forces breached Tobruk’s outer defences, but Australian troops repelled the attack. Among these defenders was Private Alexander Wales.

At Tobruk, Axis forces had a numerical and firepower advantage, particularly in tanks and air support. However, the defenders held superior defensive positions, well-established trenches, and reliable supply lines via the Royal Navy. What made a crucial difference in balancing the fight were the tactics of the ‘Rats of Tobruk’ —night raids, counterattacks, and the use of captured enemy weapons. Alexander had the honour of counting himself among these proud ‘Rats’, and although he lived to tell the tale, it was not without a price.

Despite being outnumbered, the Allies held Tobruk until December 1941, when the siege was relieved by Operation Crusader. It was in December that Alexander was medically evacuated and assessed as being ‘fit for duties other than active service with field formations’. Alexander already had mechanical skills, and had been assessed as a Grade 1 Fitter in May 1941. The army assigned his to the Australian Ordinance Reserve Workshop Company.

At the outset of 1942, Alexander was in Australia, where a medical board classified him as B1—meaning he was cleared for active field service but could only serve in military duties requiring less strenuous physical exertion. Although his combat days were over, his service continued in the Australian Ordnance Inspection Regiment and later as a craftsman in the 2nd Australian Tank Workshop Company. This unit was part of the Australian Army Ordnance Corps (AAOC) and was responsible for providing maintenance, repair, and servicing for tanks and other armoured vehicles used by Australian forces. These workshops were essential for keeping armoured units operational in combat zones by repairing battle damage, performing mechanical overhauls, and maintaining critical equipment.

Medical issues continued to affect Alexander, leading to a medical discharge in late October 1943. He had been in uniform for 1,074 days, of which 630 were serving overseas. For his service, he was awarded multiple decorations, including the War Medal 1939–1945, the Defence Medal, and the Africa Star. He passed away in 1972 at the age of 69.

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