Maxwell John BOWDEN

Maxwell enlisted in the Citizens Military Forces (Reserves) with Service No 56943 on 2 Dec 1936 and was posted to "C" Squadron, 1st Machine Gun Regiment. He was promoted Corporal on 1 Nov 1938 and transferred to the NSW Permanent Forces on 12 Jun 1939 with Service No NP5379 and was posted to Darwin Mobile Force, RAA. Transferred to 1st Heavy Brigade, Royal Australian Artillery (RAA) on on 26 Jun 1939. He was appointed Lance Bombardier (Artillery Lance Corporal) on 1 Jun 1940 and Bombardier (Artillery Corporal) on 22 Nov 1940. All these ranks are null in void when he transferred to the A.I.F. on 21 Aug 1942 and was posted to 1st Australian Commando Training Battalion on 6 Mar 1943.

Max joined the 2/2nd on 21 May 1943. He was appointed Lance Corporal 8 Jun 1943 and embarked with the unit for New Guinea aboard “DUNTROON” on 17 Jun 1943 in No 1 Sect, “A” Troop. He reverted to Trooper at his own request on 29 Oct 1943 and returned to Australia with them aboard “TAROONA” on 3 Sept 1944.

He left the 2/2nd on 3 Apr 1945 and was posted to 2/14th Australian General Hospital on 20 Aug 1945 and embarked for Singapore aboard "DUNTROON" with them on 27 Aug 1945. He returned to Australia aboard "CHESHIRE" on 23 Nov 1945 and was discharged on 4 Feb 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