Buzza Street in Walkervale now displays the Rising Sun badge of the Australian Army honouring the service of Private Victor Buzza who fought in World War II.
Victor Christian Buzza was born on 6 June 1912 to John and Pauline Buzza in Dallarnil, in the Bundaberg Region.
Victor was working as a labourer and lived in Bundaberg at the time of his enlistment on 24 June 1940.
His family lived in Targo Street, Bundaberg and his mother Pauline was initially listed on official documents as his next of kin.
His initial army training was at Redbank, Enoggera and Lytton in South East Queensland.
While stationed there, Victor married Hazel Crocombe from Wynnum North on 26 October 1940, and his enlistment records were updated to include his new wife as his next of kin.
Overseas service
Victor served in the 2/15th Australian Infantry Battalion and embarked from Sydney bound for the Middle East, arriving on 31 July 1941.
The 2/15th Australian Infantry Battalion were stationed at El Alamein and Mersa Matruh in Egypt and fought in the Battles for Tobruk.
Victor was recognised as one the Australian Army’s ‘Rats of Tobruk’, having served with the 9th Australian Division during the famous siege in 1941.
He was hospitalised with Rubella in October 1941 and rejoined his unit in early November.
Victor was sadly killed in action at Tel el Eisa, Egypt on 1 September 1942 during the battle of El Alamein.
Victor was buried in El Alamein War Cemetery, El Alamein, Marsa Matruh, Egypt, and his grave bears the inscription ‘A Keen, Willing Soldier Who Gave His Life For Us’.
Private Victor Buzza is commemorated on the Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour and the Bundaberg Civic Centre Memorial Portico.
A memorial plaque in his honour was added to the grave of his parents in Bundaberg General Cemetery.
Information about Private Buzza’s life and service is from the National Archives of Australia, Australian War Memorial, Commonwealth War Graves Commission and Find a Grave.
Service Number: QX10574
Streets of Remembrance
Buzza Street in Walkervale was named in Victor’s honour on 22 November 1951.
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.
More information about Bundaberg Regional Council’s Streets of Remembrance program and how to nominate a street or service person is available here.
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