Percy John HARRISON

Percy (KIWI) enlisted on 13 Nov 1941 and according to CD Doig's History, he was rejected from the New Zealand Forces due to a badly set elbow. He was a member of the First Reinforcements that arrive at Dili, Timor, aboard “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.    

He 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 promoted to Corporal on 1 Apr 1943 and after leave, he embarked with the unit as a Corporal in No 5 Section, “B” Troop for New Guinea aboard “DUNTROON” on 17 Jun 1943 and returned to Australia with them aboard “TAROONA” on 3 Sept 1944.

He was Mentioned in Despatches, London Gazette, 8 Mar 1945 and in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette, 15 Mar 1945. These are the two Gazettes for the units service in New Guinea.

After further leave and reorganization, he embarked for New Britain aboard “TAROONA” on 9 Apr 1945 with the unit as a Corporal in No 5 Section, “B” Troop. He was appointed Lance Corporal on 20 Aug 1945 and transferred to 26th Australian Infantry Battalion on 26 Dec 1945.

He returned to Australia on 16 Jan 1946 and was discharged on 15 Mar 1946.

He is one of only three men to be Mentioned in Despatches with the unit, the other two were Officers. As Doig said, New Zealand's loss, our gain.

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.