Bert was born in 1918 in Croydon and lived on Alehvale until he was 61. 

At the age of 24 he went to Cairns and enlisted in the army. 

Bert spent some time at the Sydney Technical College learning the skills to make parts for army tanks and vehicles prior to his active duty with the First and half of the Second Tank Battalion and was posted to New Guinea.

 The weather conditions did not suit the tanks and their battalion became sitting ducks for the Japanese, who almost wiped the battalion out. 

The surviving members were transferred to the 250 LAD (Light Aid Detachment), 11th division and were sent to Bougainville guarding prisoners of war from Nauru.

His natural skills from daily life on the land proved invaluable and he was earmarked to be a sniper during a shooting trial in training after hitting a bullseye on several occasions.  While impressing his commanders, it was one of those valuable bush life skills learnt at an early age by picking off parrots that were attacking his grandfather’s mango tree.

Bert was discharged in 1946 and he returned to  rural life. 

He worked on, and managed many properties in North West Queensland including Wallabadah, an outstation of Strathmore which is one of the largest properties in Queensland, Esmeralda Station and the family property, Alehvale. 

Bert always marched in the ANZAC parades, not for recognition nor to show off his medals; he marches for the freedom of his country. 

Now, his granddaughter wears his medals proudly to honour the service Bert, and all other servicemen and women, made for our continued freedom.