S4957 Able Seaman Alexander Stewart Convery – WW2 (RAN)

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ALEXANDER (known as Rudd) was born at Branxton, NSW in 1923 to parents Peter and Christina Convery.

At age 17, on 30 December 1940 in Sydney, he enlisted/mobilised in the RAN for service during WW2.

Alexander was to undergo initial seaman training at RAN shore establishments HMAS Rushcutter (Balmoral NSW) and HMAS Cerberus (Mornington Peninsula, VIC), which also included gunnery training.

Having completed his training he was posted to the HMAS Westralia in September 1941, remaining with the ship until August 1942.

The HMAS Westralia was a merchant cruiser and during this time was escorting ships to Darwin, PNG and Timor, and later performed escort duty off the east coast of Australia and into the South Pacific.

He was then transferred to the HMAS Manoora (similar ship) and continued to undertake shipping escort duty until October.

He then spent several months at HMAS Penguin (Mosman NSW) awaiting his next ship which was the HMAS Bungaree, an auxiliary minelayer.

Alexander was posted to the HMAS Bungaree during March-August 1943 while the ship was laying defensive minefields off Australia.

He then spent further time at HMAS Penguin doing several short attachments to other ships and establishments.

From June 1944 until September 1945 he served on HMAS Ararat.

The HMAS Ararat was a corvette with anti-submarine and mine sweeping capability.

This was a dangerous and busy time, with the ship conducting operations around New Guinea, Morotai, Borneo and involved in offensive operations in the Pacific.

With the war over they returned to HMAS Rushcutter where he was demobilised on 7 January 1946.

In 1944 while in the RAN he met and married Iris Grace Hutton of Dungog.

Alexander returned to Dungog after the war to reside with his wife and began working as a trapper, then later as a timber cutter.

He died on 23 June 2012 and his ashes were placed in the Dungog General Cemetery (Columbarium).

His wife, Iris, passed away in 2008 and is also buried in the Dungog General Cemetery.

He is survived by his children.

Alexander was entitled to the following medals: Australia Service Medal 1939-45, 1939-45 Star, Pacific Star, War Medal 1939-45.

I have been unable to locate a memorial honour roll recording Alexander’s WW2 service.

Given his service was prior to his association with Dungog, he is not recorded on the Dungog and District WW2 Honour Roll.

By Martin HOLMES CSM