Cameo Of Commandos: Memories of Eight Australian Commando Squadrons In New Guinea and Queensland (1971) By Padre A. Bottrell
The author was chaplain to a succession of eight commando squadrons during World War 2.
Arthur Bottrell was born at Boulder on the goldfields of WA in 1905 to parents of Cornish stock who came to Moonta in South Australia to work the copper mines. The family returned to Tumby Bay, SA and Arthur later undertook theological training at Adelaide University. He was ordained into the Methodist Church in 1931 and a fellow ordinand, Lawrence McArthur, would later undertake missionary work in New Britain and die whilst a prisoner of the Japanese with the sinking of the Montevideo Maru by an American submarine in the South China Sea.
After serving some years as a minister in SA, the Second World War erupted. Arthur attempted to join the services as a chaplain early in the war but held out for an Army posting and enlisted at McLaren Vale, Number: 437353 (SX 14858). Arthur journeyed on the transport Queen Elizabeth and joined the 9th Division in the Middle East in 1941 where he served in a Training Battalion and then with medical units. It is assumed that Arthur was with the Division for the Battle of El Alamein and may even have been present earlier at Tobruk. On return from the Middle East in 1943, Arthur served as padre with the Independent Companies or Commando Squadrons in Queensland and New Guinea.
A summary of Arthur’s service with the various independent companies follows: 2/2nd Commando Squadron – the veterans of Timor, at Faita in the Ramu Valley2/4th Commando Squadron – on the Bunga River near Lae and Finschhafen2/6th Commando Squadron – in the Ramu Valley2/7th Commando Squadron – at Karawop and Kwangen2/9th Commando Squadron – at Brandi and Mandi plantations.
Arthur was discharged in January 1946 with rank Captain, 2/7th Cavalry Commando Regiment. From 1947 to 1954 he served as part-time duty chaplain (Methodist) to the Repatriation General Hospital, Adelaide. On the "Active List" his interest in chaplaincy work was maintained in the Citizen Military Forces. In 1952 he was promoted to the grade of Senior Chaplain (Methodist), Central Command; a posting he held until the age limit caused him to be placed on the Army "Retired List" in 1963. For service in the CMF he was awarded the "Efficiency Decoration".
Amongst his other achievements, Arthur managed to author a book on his wartime experiences. His book ‘Cameos of Commandos’ sub-titled ‘Memories of Eight Australian Commando Squadrons in New Guinea and Queensland’, was published by Arthur himself in 1971, ISBN 0959954007. The Foreword was written by Lt-General The Honourable Sir Edmund Herring, Lt-Governor of Victoria. The proceeds from the sale of the book went to Legacy. In addition to the above activities, Arthur Bottrell undertook senior-level appointments in the Methodist Church of South Australia. War-caused disabilities compelled his premature retirement from the "active" ministry in January 1965. This worthy soldier for Christ died on 8th June 1986 and is buried in the Dudley Park Cemetery, Adelaide. His wife Dulcie Carr died some months later leaving behind a daughter who still resides in Adelaide.
This book is signed by the author
- Hard Cover (Dust Jacket has been Inserted into the Plastic cover protector).
- 308 pages (the last page has been photocopied and inserted)
- In Fair to Good Condition
