Private Norman Douglas Barrey
- Rank
- Private
- Service number
- WX15134
- Unit
- 2/32 Battalion
- Cause of death
- Died of Wounds
- Place of death
- New Guinea
- Date of death
- 28 October 1943
- Age
- 31
- Plaque number
- L138A
- Co-located plaques
- L138 - PTE Alexander Jones
- Dedicated by
- Nephew on 16 November 2019
- More information
Biography presented during plaque dedication:
Private Norman Douglas Barrey was born in Dwellingup, Western Australia in 1912 to Harold and Elsie Barrey and had three sisters and a brother.
He attended Dwellingup Primary School. Later the family moved to Perth and lived in Victoria Park.
Norman enjoyed horse racing and especially fishing in the Swan River with his brother. He worked as a shop assistant and delivery driver.
In July 1941, Norman enlisted in the AIF and joined 2/32 Battalion. As a member of the battalion he fought at the battle of El Aalamein which halted the German advance to the Nile and eliminated the threat to the Suez Canal.
The battalion returned to Australia in February 1943 and in September was assigned to the assault on the Japanese base at Lae on the coast of New Guinea. After that successful action, the Battalion took part in the landing at Finschhafen and in the subsequent heavy fighting against an enemy, whose numbers had been underestimated, sustained many casualties.
Private Norman Douglas Barrey, service number WX15134 of 2/32 Battalion, died of wounds on 28 October 1943 in New Guinea. He was 31 years of age.
He is buried at Lae War Cemetery.
His plaque is placed alongside Private Alexander Frederick Jones, who was in the same 2/32 Battalion and died within days of Norman.