Padrie Pearce MCCABE

Padrie enlisted into the R.A.A.F. on 20 Jul 1941 and transferred to the A.I.F. on 18 Nov 1941. He 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 and was fluent in Portuguese. Padrie embarked at BENO for Darwin on 16 Nov 1942. He was promoted Lieutenant and joined the Intelligence Corps on 30 Nov 1942, serving in F.E.L.O. (Far East Liaison Office) (see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Far_Eastern_Liaison_Office) 

He embarked for New Guinea aboard "EDWARD CHAMBERS" on 10 Jul 1943 and returned to Australia aboard "CANBERRA" on 1 Oct 1943. He attended No 22 Course R.A.A.F. School of Army Co Operation, 4 Nov - 8 Dec 1943 and transferred to 6th Australian Command Air Liaison Section on 4 Feb 1944. He transferred to 57 Squadron Air Liaison Section as Officer Commanding on 16 Feb 1944 and was made Temp Captain on 28 Apr 1944. He embarked for Timor aboard HMAS MORSEBY on 7 Sept 1945 and transferred as Liaison Officer, Headquarters, Timor Force on 19 Sept 1945. He enplaned to Australia on 16 Dec 1945 and flew back to Timor on 22 Dec 1945. He returned to Australia aboard HMAS LISMORE on 21 Feb 1946 and was discharged on 19 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 "S.W.Pacific".