Ernest Dudley FRANCIS

Ernest (Dudley) enlisted in Citizen Military Force (Reserves) on 12 Dec 1938 and was promoted to Corporal on 3 Apr 1939, Sergeant 1 Jul 1939 and commissioned Lieutenant on 25 Aug 1939. He transferred to the A.I.F. on 18 Jul 1940 and was promoted to Lieutenant. He was posted to 8th Division, Australian Army Service Corps(AASC) on 24 Jul 1940 and was promoted to captain on 17 Oct 1940 and transferred to Headquarters, 8th Division, AASC on 21 May 1941. He was attached to No 1 Advanced Maintenance Party, Sparrow Force and embarked for Timor aboard M.V. RUYS on 6 Jun 1941.

He joined the unit on Timor as a Captain from AASC, Sparrow Force, after the fall of Koepang, approx March 1942. He returned to Australia on 22 Aug 1942.

He was awarded a Commander in Chief Commendation Card for service in Timor, Authority, Army Order 69/43 and was Mentioned in Despatches, London Gazette, 25 May 1943 and in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette, No 119-3 Jun 1943. These are the two Gazettes for the Timor Campaign.

He was appointed Liaison Officer with Allied Geographic Section (Netherlands Forces Intelligence Service) on 14 Jun 1943. He transferred to the Australian Intelligence Corps on 27 Aug 1943 and promoted to Major on 10 Dec 1943.

He flew from Australia to the Philippines on 27 Feb 1945 and returned to Australia on 7 Mar 1945.

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

He was awarded an Australian Efficiency Medal on 16 Oct 1947