Albert Cleary

Albert Neil Cleary
Born	16 June 1919 Geelong, Victoria
Died	20 March 1945 (aged 25) Sandakan, Borneo
Buried at	Labuan War Cemetery
Allegiance	Australia
Service/branch	Second Australian Imperial Force
Years of service	1941–1945
Rank	Gunner
Service number	VX52128
Unit	2/15th Field Regiment
Battles/wars	World War II South West Pacific theatre Battle of Singapore
Awards	Commendation for Gallantry

Albert Neil Cleary (16 June 1919 – 20 March 1945)^[1] was an Australian soldier during World War II. Part of the 2/15th Field Regiment, Royal Australian Artillery, he became a prisoner of war to the Japanese following the Battle of Singapore. He died following an escape attempt in 1945. In 2001, the Australian Labor Party introduced a bill to have Cleary and two others awarded the Victoria Cross for Australia, however this was defeated by the Federal Liberal Government.^[2] In 2011, Cleary was awarded a posthumous Commendation for Gallantry.^[3] Cleary's death was revealed by historian Lynette Silver to have been caused by dysentery, calling into doubt his elevation as a war hero.^[4]

References

1. "Cleary, Albert Neil". World War II Nominal Roll. Commonwealth of Australia. Retrieved 23 July 2009.
2. Sidebottom, Sid, MP (4 June 2001). "First Reading Speech of the Defence Act Amendment" (PDF). Victoria Cross Bill 2001. House of Representatives - Commonwealth of Australia. pp. 1–3. Retrieved 22 July 2009.
3. Commendation for Gallantry, Commonwealth of Australia Gazette S143, 28 September 2011.
4. "VC award would be based on lies, military historian warns". The Sydney Morning Herald. 13 March 2012.