Nigel Spencer Voltz (1921 - 1943)

Born 15 Apr 1921 in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia

Ancestors

Died 24 Sep 1943 at age 22 in Wago, Morobe Province, Papua New Guinea

Biography

Nigel Spencer Voltz (1921-1943)

Nigel Voltz was born in Queensland, Australia

Birth
Nigel Spencer Voltz was born 16 April 1921 at Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. He was the son of Lawrence Christopher Voltz & Amy Elizabeth Gordon (Knight) Voltz.^[1]

Nigel Voltz is an Anzac who served in World War Two.

Nigel Spencer Voltz, enlisted and served with the Australian Imperial Force (A.I.F.), 2nd/15th Infantry Battalion during World War 2.
On 09 January 1943 Nigel embarked on the ship "Taroona" for Milne Bay and disembarked at Milne Bay on 13 Jauary 1943. He was promoted to Corporal on 19 April 1943. On the 10 September 1943 he was promoted to Acting Sergeant.

The 2/15 took part in the landing at Lae, the first amphibious operation undertaken by Australian forces since the failed Gallipoli campaign in 1915. During the operation, the 2/15th was initially assigned the task of securing the beachhead following the 20th Brigade's landing. After being relieved it joined the advance west towards the town, slowed by heavy rains that turned the many creeks in the area into raging torrents, which were invariably covered by heavy Japanese fire from the opposite bank. Later in September, after Lae had fallen to troops of the 7th Division advancing from Nadzab, the 20th Brigade undertook a follow-up operation further east, an opposed amphibious landing at Scarlet Beach, as part of Allied efforts to secure the Huon Peninsula. During the landing, the 2/15th formed the 20th Brigade's reserve force, coming ashore around Katika due to a navigational error; here it fought to dislodge strongly entrenched Japanese forces as the Australians established a beachhead^{[2] [3]}

Death
Nigel Spencer Voltz was killed in action during a battle in New Guinea on 24 September 1943. ^{[4] [5]}

Burial
Nigel Spencer Voltz is buried and remembered with honour, at the Lae War Cemetery, Morobe, Papua New Guinea. ^{[6] [7]}

Sources

1. ↑ Birth QLD BDM Index Birth registration: Nigel Spencer Voltz| Birth date: 16/04/1921| Mother's name: Amy Elizabeth Gordon Knight| Father/parent's name: Lawrence Christopher Voltz| Registration details: 1921/C/6220 |Reg. Queensland, Australia
2. ↑ Remembering the war in New Guinea The Huon Peninsula campaign.
3. ↑ World War II Service DVA's Nominal Roll

   Veteran Details

   Name VOLTZ, NIGAL SPENCER

   Service Australian Army

   Service Number QX45062 (Q102873)

   Date of Birth 15 Apr 1921

   Place of Birth BRISBANE, QLD

   Date of Enlistment 17 Dec 1941

   Locality on Enlistment WYNNUM, QLD

   Place of Enlistment MANLY, QLD

   Next of Kin VOLTZ, LAWRENCE

   Date of Death 24 Sep 1943

   Rank Sergeant

   Posting on Death 15 AUSTRALIAN INFANTRY BATTALION

   Prisoner of War No

   Roll of Honour BRISBANE QLD

   Honours None for display

4. ↑ World War II Record:NAA: B883, QX45062 VOLTZ, NIGEL SPENCER
5. ↑ Death QLD BDM Index Death registration: Nigel Spencer Voltz| Death date: 24/09/1943| Mother's name: Amy Elizabeth Gordon Knight| Father/parent's name: Lawrence Christopher Voltz | Registration details: 1944/S/1912 | (S=WW2 Death)| Reg. Queensland, Australia
6. ↑ Burial Commonwealth War Graves Commission— VOLTZ, NIGEL SPENCER; Sergeant; QX45062; killed in action 24/09/1943; age 22; Australian Infantry Australian; Grave Location B. A. 3. LAE WAR CEMETERY
7. ↑ Burial Record Commonwealth War Graves Commission:

   VOLTZ, NIGEL SPENCER

   Rank: Sergeant

   Service No: QX45062

   Date of Death: 24/09/1943

   Age: 22

   Regiment/Service: Australian Infantry A.I.F. 15 Bn.

   Grave Reference: B. A. 3.

   Cemetery: LAE WAR CEMETERY

   Additional Information: Son of Lawrence Christopher and Amy Elizabeth Gordon Voltz, of Wynnum, Queensland.

   Lae War Cemetery

   Australian War Memorial 2/15th Australian Infantry Battalion

• World War 2 Service National Archives Australia - Name Search VOLTZ NIGEL SPENCER : Service Number - QX45062 : Date of birth - 15 Apr 1921 : Place of birth - BRISBANE QLD : Place of enlistment - MANLY QLD : Next of Kin - VOLTZ LAWRENCE

• World War 2 Record NAA: B883, QX45062 VOLTZ, NIGEL SPENCER

• Burial Lae War Cemetery Lae Morobe Papua New Guinea (Grave 3, Plot B, Row A) Find a Grave-Nigel Spencer Voltz