Alan John DONOVAN

Alan enlisted on 14 Jul 1941, he had previous service as a signaller with 2nd Division Signals and was posted to 2/1st Fortress Signals. He was appointed Acting Lance Corporal on 14 Aug 1941 and embarked for Timor on 8 Dec 1941. He joined the 2/2nd on Timor from 2/1 Fortress Signals, as a Lance Corporal, after the fall of Koepang, approx March 1942. He was promoted Corporal on 15 Aug 1941.

Alan was a member of the team that built “Winnie The War Winner”.

After the campaign on Timor, he embarked with the unit, for Australia aboard the Royal Dutch destroyer “Tjerk Hiddes” on 16 Dec 1942.                    

He was posted to Radio Philips Depot, Australian Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (AEME) on 28 Jun 1043 and then attended No 20 Radio Mechanics Course on 28 Aug 1943. After training he was posted to 18th Radio Maintenance Section on 3 Dec 1943 and was promoted Acting Sergeant on 17 Jan 1944. He transferred to Land Headquarters, AEME on 25 May 1944, attended No 11 Armament Artificers Radar Course 16 Jul 1944 and qualified with Distinction on 14 Oct 1944. He attended numerous Radar and Telecommunication Courses. He was confirmed Sergeant on 21 Mar 1946 and promoted Acting Warrant Officer Class II (WO II) same day. WO II was confirmed on 2 May 1946 and he transferred to Services Training Centre Area Workshop on 13 May 1946.

He was discharged on 5 Jul 1946.  

He was entitled to the 1939-45 Star, Pacific Star, War Medal and Australian Service Medal 1939-45, pictured below.