Defensively Armed Merchant Ship (DEMS) Gunner.
ABLE SEAMAN ALBERT GEORGE ANTHONY DELBRIDGE RANR W/1431 Albert Delbridge was born in North Melbourne Victoria in September 1921, the second child of Albert and Margaret (Maggie) Delbridge. His sister Dorothy had been born in 1915. Albert Senior had enlisted in the AIF in 1917, serving with the 59th Battalion in France. He deserted in April 1918 remaining on the run in France until the following October when he was apprehended and Court Martialled. Albert Junior was mobilised for service in the RANR in November 1939 at the age of 18 having previously served in the Navy Cadets. He served as a DEMS Gunner until November 1940, including time on Merchant Ships in UK waters. In late 1940 he joined the Heavy Cruiser HMAS Australia for nine months before standing by the Destroyer HMAS Arunta building at Cockatoo Island for six months before posting to the Light Cruiser HMAS Hobart in late 1942. He was onboard Hobart when she was torpedoed in 1943 and he remained in Hobart through her repairs and until shortly before his discharge in late 1945. Post war Albert returned to live with his family and worked as an Engine Cleaner. He never married and he passed away in Victoria in March 1962 aged 40.
Sources
Service Record - Australian National Archives
Nominal Roll - Department of Veterans Affairs
