Thomas Keith WILSON

Thomas (Horse) enlisted on 19 Jan 1941 with Service No N228862 and was posted to 1st Division Ammunition Company, Australian Army Service Corps (AASC). He transferred to the A.I.F. on 10 Jul 1942 and was posted to Guerrilla Warfare Training Centre Victoria on 28 Sept 1942. He transferred to  Jungle Warfare Training Centre, Canungra, Queensland on 27 Dec 1942 and was promoted Acting Corporal on 28 Dec 1942, but reverted to Private at his own request on 28 Jan 1943.

He embarked for New Guinea aboard "KATOOMBA" on 17 Feb 1943 and joined the 2/2nd on 25 Jun 1943 as a Trooper in No 9 Section, “C” Troop. He was on a patrol with 5 others of No 9 Section to Kulau, New Guinea to try and capture a prisoner. They were confronted by a large force of Japanese and Trooper Donald Ramshaw was Killed in Action on 10 Jan 1944.

He returned to Australia aboard "KATOOMBA" on 12 Apr 1944 and embarked for New Guinea aboard "ORMISTON" on 2 Jul 1944. He re-joined the 2/2nd on 8 Jul 1944 and was detached to 18th Australian War Graves Unit on 19 Aug 1944. He flew to Australia on 22 Sept 1944 and re-joined the 2/2nd on 30 Sept 1944..

After leave and reorganization, he embarked for New Britain aboard “TAROONA” on 9 Apr 1945 with the unit as a Trooper in No 9 Section, “C” Troop. He was appointed Paid Lance Corporal on 15 Apr 1945.

He returned to Australia on 1 Apr 1946 and was discharged on 19 Jun 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 "PNG"