Service: Army
Service number: VX38589
Locality on Enlistment: Bendigo
Duration of Service: 13 Aug 1940 – 2 Sep 1942
Prisoner of War: No
Honours: None for display
Date and Place of Birth: 21 Dec 1915 Colac, Victoria
Parents: William VEALE and Harriet Eveline COLLINS
Spouse: Jean Winifred NISBET
School/s: Colac Primary and Colac High School
Occupation: Signwriter
Date and Place of Death: 2 Sep 1942 Kokoda Track, Papua New Guinea
Place of Burial: Bomona War Cemetery, Memorial Panel 4
Notes:
Laurie left Australia in 8 Apr 1941 for the Middle East being in the Australian Military Specialist Group. In Jan 1942 he returned to Australia. On 6 Aug1942 Laurie left Brisbane on SS James Wilson for Port Moresby. 30 Aug 1942 he was reported Missing in Action. In the battle of Isurava, the section that Laurie Veale was in played a key role in monitoring the tactical situation, reconnoitring the flanks and providing guidance, particularly in the subsequent withdrawal. The loss of Laurie Veale, who was with the C.O.’s party – all missing believed killed – was the Section’s second death by enemy action. (Diggers Cast Together – Kokoda and Beyond, Trevor Jennings)