The brave World War II service of Victor Lloyd Bust has been remembered, with Streets of Remembrance signage now adorning the street named in his honour.
Bust Street in Svensson Heights displays the Rising Sun badge of the Australian Army in recognition of Corporal Bust’s service with the 49th Battalion.
Victor was born in Bundaberg on 25 August 1918 to parents Joseph and Mary.
He was living in Bundaberg and working as a slaughterman (butcher) when he enlisted in the Australian Army on 9 January 1940 at the age of 21.
Victor was called up for active duty on 7 September 1941 and later that month embarked on SS Zealandia for Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea.
The Australian War Memorial records state the 49th Battalion at this time received little training and were tasked with providing labour for working parties and unloading ships stores, with morale among the troops reportedly low.
After Japan entered the war in late 1941, war in the Pacific escalated throughout 1942, however the 49th continued to be tasked with routine work.
Victor was appointed Lance Corporal in May 1942 and attended NCO’s School in August 1942 before returning to the battalion.
In September 1942, troops from the 49th provided support patrolling the area around the Goldie-Laloki Rivers as part of an effort to prevent Japanese troops from cutting the Kokoda Trail.
Morale in the 49th improved as they gained more jungle training and experience.
On 7 December 1942, the 49th came under attack along the Sanananda Road, a fierce battle that saw 14 officers and 215 men killed or wounded in five hours.
On 11 December, Victor was promoted to Acting Corporal and on 19 December the battalion suffered further casualties in another attack.
Victor was killed in action on 28 December 1942, aged 24 years.
He was buried in Port Moresby (Bomana) War Cemetery, Bomana, Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea.
His grave bears the inscriptions ‘Greater love hath no man than this’ and ‘Son of Joseph William and Mary Kathleen Bust, of Bundaberg West, Queensland’.
Victor is remembered on the Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour and the Bundaberg Civic Centre Memorial Portico.
Service Number: QX44205
Information about Corporal Bust’s life and service is from the National Archives of Australia, Australian War Memorial, Virtual War Memorial and Commonwealth War Graves Commission.
Streets of Remembrance
Bundaberg Regional Council’s Streets of Remembrance program recognises the service of veterans with a connection to the Bundaberg Region by adding the badge of the military force in which they served to the street sign of streets named in their honour.
Bust Street in Svensson Heights was named after Corporal Victor Bust in 1951.
More information about Bundaberg Regional Council’s Streets of Remembrance program and how to nominate a street or service person is available here.
