Ernest Maxwell DUCK

Ernest Maxwell DUCK Update Details

If you confirm that you want to proceed with the update, this record will be locked for editing by all other users until you have finished. You will have 7 days to complete your changes before they will be automatically submitted.

Do you want to proceed?

DUCK, Ernest Maxwell

Service Number:	NX179453
Enlisted:	15 August 1944
Last Rank:	Private
Last Unit:	31/51 (amalgamated) Infantry Battalion AMF
Born:	Gladesville, New South Wales, Australia, 2 June 1925
Home Town:	Not yet discovered
Schooling:	Not yet discovered
Occupation:	Not yet discovered
Died:	Presumed Dead, Bougainville, Solomon Islands, Pacific Islands, 9 June 1945, aged 20 years
Cemetery:	No known grave - "Known Unto God" Port Moresby Memorial, Port Moresby, Papua, Papua New Guinea
Memorials:	Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Brisbane 31/51 Australian Infantry Battalion (AIF) Roll of Honour, Cairns - 31/51 Australian Infantry Battalion, Port Moresby (Bomana) Memorial

World War 2 Service

3 Sep 1939:	Involvement Private, NX179453
15 Aug 1944:	Enlisted Australian Military Forces (Army WW2), Private, NX179453, 31/51 (amalgamated) Infantry Battalion AMF

Battle of Porton Plantation

Lieutenant Smith was badly wounded and unable to be moved.
He was also becoming delirious from the pain and loss of blood. Unwilling to jeopardise the safety of the remaining group he instructed them to leave him and find there way back to Ratsua and bring help if possible. Private Duck chose to stay by his officer's side.

Noel Smith and Earnest Duck perished in that jungle wilderness so dense that their bodies were never found. The full extent of the pain and terror endured by these two soldiers in those endless dark hours while they waited for the help that never came will never be known.”

Virtual
War Memorial
Australia