John Frederick HARTLEY

John was a member of the First Reinforcements that arrive at Dili, Timor, aboard M.V. “KOOLAMA”, on 22 Jan 1942, prior to the Japanese landing. He joined the unit as a Private. After the campaign on Timor, he embarked with the unit, for Australia aboard the Royal Dutch destroyer “Tjerk Hides” on 16 Dec 1942. 

After leave and reorganization he embarked with the unit for New Guinea as a Trooper in No 3 Section, “A” Troop, aboard S.S. “DUNTROON” on 17 Jun 1943. He was appointed paid Lance Corporal on 29 Aug 1943 and enplaned for Australia on 22 Mar 1944 and posted as an Instructor, to 1st Australian Commando Training Squadron on 30 Mar 1944. Promoted to Acting Corporal on 7 Apr 1944 and transferred to "Z" Special Unit on 17 Aug 1944. He was promoted Sergeant on 23 Nov 1944 and attended 1st Australian Parachute Training centre on 21 Dec 1944, returning to "Z" Special Unit on 29 Jan 1945.

He returned to Timor with "Z" Special Unit on 19 Apr 1945 and returned to Australia on 3 May 1945., then again to Timor on 19 Jun 1945, returning to Australia on 24 Jun 1945. On 2 Aug 1945 he left for Borneo with "Z" Special Unit, returning to Australia on 16 Dec 1945.

He transferred to Special Investigation Branch (Maritime Group) AIF on 25 Jan 1946 and embarked from Sydney for KURE Japan, on 7 Aug 1946 aboard "RIVER NORMAN", arriving in KURE on 29 Aug 1946. He returned to Australia on 19 Sept 1946 and was discharged on 10 Apr 1947.

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 "S.W.Pacific".