Harold Robert Montgomery CULLEN

Harold enlisted on 15 Sept 1941 and was a member of the First Reinforcements that arrive at Dili, Timor, as a Private aboard "KOOLAMA", on 22 Jan 1942, prior to the Japanese landing. He was medevac'd from Timor on 25 May 1942 aboard "KURU".

He was appointed Lance Corporal and posted to 1st Australian Infantry Training Battalion on 3 Dec 1942., then to Jungle Training Centre on 25 May 1943 and 1st Australian Commando Training Battalion on9 Jun 1943. He embarked for New Guinea as a Lance Corporal aboard "CANBERRA" and re-joined the 2/2nd on 18 Oct 1943, serving in No 9 Sect, “C” Troop. He was accidently wounded on 5 Nov 1943 and re-joined the 2/2nd on 26 Dec 1943. Harold returned to Australia with them aboard “TAROONA” on 3 Sept 1944.

He was appointed Paid Lance Corporal on 25 Jan 1945 and embarked for New Britain aboard “TAROONA” on 9 Apr 1945 with the unit as a Lance Corporal in No 9 Sect, “C” Troop. He was promoted Acting Corporal on 22 Apr 1945 and confirmed Corporal on 22 Jul 1945. He returned to Australia on 14 Feb 1946 and was discharged on 6 Mar 1946.

He was entitled to the 1939-45 Star, Pacific Star, War Medal and Australian Service Medal 1939-45, pictured below. He is now also entitled to the Australian Service Medal 1945-75 with a clasp