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In Tribute To Sergeant Robert (Doug) Douglas Christie

By Sharyn Christie

Robert Douglas Christie (always known as Doug)

At the outbreak of the Second World War in 1939 Doug was 27 years old, married to Dorothy, had a 5-year-old daughter, was living in Sydney, and working as a taxi driver. He wasn’t conscripted into the Army; he volunteered to serve and was typical of thousands of men who felt a responsibility for the defence of Australia and the British Empire in general.

He was recruited into the 2nd/3rd Infantry Battalion of the 6th Australian Division on 3/11/39. The Infantry are an army’s front line foot soldiers and are armed with a range of weapons. Their basic role is to seize and hold ground in the battlefield.  

With no prior military service, and after just 2 months of training at Ingleburn near Sydney, his Battalion embarked on a troop ship bound for Palestine in the Middle East. It was the first Convoy of troop ships to leave Australia in the Second World War.

After further training in Palestine and Egypt, his Battalion, as part of the 6th Australian Division, saw their first action attacking the Italian defences at Bardia, then Tobruk, and finally Derna. Each of these actions were completely successful but not without casualties.

In March 1941 the Battalion embarked for Greece, as part of an allied force, to resist an anticipated German invasion. The 2/3 Battalion joined the enemy in battle at a place called Tempe Gorge. There, the 2/3rd supported the 2/2nd Battalion and blocked German movement through the Gorge. This allowed the unhindered withdrawal of Allied forces further South. The 2/3rd itself was eventually forced to withdraw and its activities in Greece ended with an evacuation by sea on 27th April 1941when they sailed back to Palestine.

The Australian Units suffered hundreds of casualties in Greece with over 2,000 taken prisoner by the Germans. Doug was amongst those who were fortunate enough to survive and be evacuated.

From the Middle East, the 2/3rd Battalion was redeployed to Ceylon (present day Sri Lanka). This was due to a possible Japanese attack on Ceylon. However, the Japanese were also threatening Australia, and the Battalion was ordered to return to Australia, before being deployed to New Guinea to confront the Japanese advance.

In September 1942 Doug and his Battalion landed in New Guinea. The Battalion fought in major engagements on the Kokoda Track, at Eora Creek and on the Sanananda Track. The Battalion returned to Australia in January 1943 and spent over a year retraining and rebuilding in the Atherton Tablelands in Queensland, interspersed with periods of home leave. In December 1944 the Battalion was once again redeployed to New Guinea in what was to be its final engagement of the War.

Following Japan’s surrender on 2nd September 1945 the Battalion sailed to Brisbane disembarking on 20 September 1945, their service to Australia and the Empire now complete.

By the end, Doug was a Sergeant with a long service record and was asked by his Commanding Officer if he would like to continue his service in the Army. He replied with an emphatic “No Sir”. His Commanding Officer responded saying, “but think about your future career, you could become an Officer!” Doug is alleged to have responded “Sir, this is not my career, this has been an interruption to my career”.

Doug was demobilised on 12th October 1945 and ultimately returned to his trade, as manager of a major Sydney smallgoods manufacturer.

While Doug survived the War, he like many others had significant challenges adapting back to civilian life. While in New Guinea he contracted Malaria and had frequent attacks after his return. He also experienced post-traumatic stress, though at the time it was largely unrecognised and went untreated. 

Like most ex-service personnel, Doug didn’t say much about the War or his experiences. However, he was a very proud member of the 2/3rd Infantry Battalion Association and attended annual reunions on Anzac Day for as long as he was able.

“Lest we forget”.

Prepared by Jim Christie

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In loving memory to Doug, Dad and Grandad

Friday 18th Apr
Robert Douglas Christie (always known as Doug)
At the outbreak of the Second World War in 1939 Doug was 27 years old, married to Dorothy, had a 5-year-old daughter, was living in Sydney, and working as a taxi driver. He wasn’t conscripted into the Army; he volunteered to serve and was typical of thousands of men who felt a responsibility for the defence of Australia and the British Empire in general.
He was recruited into the 2nd/3rd Infantry Battalion of the 6th Australian Division on 3/11/39. The Infantry are an army’s front line foot soldiers and are armed with a range of weapons. Their basic role is to seize and hold ground in the battlefield.
With no prior military service, and after just 2 months of training at Ingleburn near Sydney, his Battalion embarked on a troop ship bound for Palestine in the Middle East. It was the first Convoy of troop ships to leave Australia in the Second World War.
After further training in Palestine and Egypt, his Battalion, as part of the 6th Australian Division, saw their first action attacking the Italian defences at Bardia, then Tobruk, and finally Derna. Each of these actions were completely successful but not without casualties.
In March 1941 the Battalion embarked for Greece, as part of an allied force, to resist an anticipated German invasion. The 2/3 Battalion joined the enemy in battle at a place called Tempe Gorge. There, the 2/3rd supported the 2/2nd Battalion and blocked German movement through the Gorge. This allowed the unhindered withdrawal of Allied forces further South. The 2/3rd itself was eventually forced to withdraw and its activities in Greece ended with an evacuation by sea on 27th April 1941when they sailed back to Palestine.
The Australian Units suffered hundreds of casualties in Greece with over 2,000 taken prisoner by the Germans. Doug was amongst those who were fortunate enough to survive and be evacuated.
From the Middle East, the 2/3rd Battalion was redeployed to Ceylon (present day Sri Lanka). This was due to a possible Japanese attack on Ceylon. However, the Japanese were also threatening Australia, and the Battalion was ordered to return to Australia, before being deployed to New Guinea to confront the Japanese advance.
In September 1942 Doug and his Battalion landed in New Guinea. The Battalion fought in major engagements on the Kokoda Track, at Eora Creek and on the Sanananda Track. The Battalion returned to Australia in January 1943 and spent over a year retraining and rebuilding in the Atherton Tablelands in Queensland, interspersed with periods of home leave. In December 1944 the Battalion was once again redeployed to New Guinea in what was to be its final engagement of the War.
Following Japan’s surrender on 2nd September 1945 the Battalion sailed to Brisbane disembarking on 20 September 1945, their service to Australia and the Empire now complete.
By the end, Doug was a Sergeant with a long service record and was asked by his Commanding Officer if he would like to continue his service in the Army. He replied with an emphatic “No Sir”. His Commanding Officer responded saying, “but think about your future career, you could become an Officer!” Doug is alleged to have responded “Sir, this is not my career, this has been an interruption to my career”.
Doug was demobilised on 12th October 1945 and ultimately returned to his trade, as manager of a major Sydney smallgoods manufacturer.
While Doug survived the War, he like many others had significant challenges adapting back to civilian life. While in New Guinea he contracted Malaria and had frequent attacks after his return. He also experienced post-traumatic stress, though at the time it was largely unrecognised and went untreated.
Like most ex-service personnel, Doug didn’t say much about the War or his experiences. However, he was a very proud member of the 2/3rd Infantry Battalion Association and attended annual reunions on Anzac Day for as long as he was able.
“Lest we forget”.
Prepared by Jim Christie

Thank you to my Sponsors

$40.37

Sharyn Christie