History – WW2 Soldier Alister Rex Atkins NX146639

Alister Rex Atkins (known as Rex) was born on the 27 June 1921 in Taree to Hector Arthur Atkins and Annie M Unicomb.

Alister was aged 22 years 7 months when he enlisted in the AIF at Upper Lansdowne on the 13 February 1943 naming his father Hector Arthur Atkins as his next of kin.  Prior to enlistment he was a farm hand.

Rex served in 11 Australian Division Mobile Laundry in New Guinea from 4 May 1943 to 7 June 1945.  He originally served with the Citizen Military Forces from 9 April 1942 to 12 February 1943 and then with the Australian Imperial Force from 13 February 1943 to 1 November 1945.

He was discharged on 1 November 1945 and received the 1939/45 Star, Pacific Star, War Medal 1939/45 and the Australia Service Medal 1939/45.

After he returned from the war he farmed at Upper Lansdowne for a few years and then moved to Wingham where he worked at the abattoirs until retirement.

In 1948 he married Phyllis Merle Stace and they had five children.

Rex’s brothers Dallas Wilfred and Raymond Arthur also served in WW2.