Thomas Robert MILTON

Thomas served in the Militia 2/35th Battalion, 14 Sept 1938 – 29 Jul 1941 and transferred to the A.I.F. on 16 Jul 1941 and posted to the Australian Army Service Corps, Gull Force on5 Aug 1941. He transferred to Australian Army Service Corps, Sparrow Force on 11 Aug 1941. He joined the unit on Timor as a Private from Australian Army Service Corps, Sparrow Force, after the fall of Koepang, approx. March 1942. After the campaign on Timor, he embarked with the unit, for Australia aboard the Royal Dutch destroyer “Tjerk Hiddes” on 11 Dec 1942.

Thomas transferred to Headquarters, Royal Australian Engineers Training Centre on 8 Dec 1943 and then to Australian Docks Service Training Company on 15 Feb 1944. He then transferred to 2/3rd Australian Port Operating Company on 24 Feb 1944 and embarked for MOROTAI aboard “Charles M Russell” on 24 Mar 1945 and then embarked for BALIKPAPEN aboard “Wardell” on 26 Jun 1945.

He was promoted Acting Corporal on 6 Dec 1945 and Corporal on 15 Feb 1946.

He flew from BALIKPAPEN to MOROTAI on 23 Apr 1946 and returned to Australia aboard "DUNTROON" on 8 May 1946 and was discharged from the A.I.F. on 16 May 1946.

He was entitled to the 1939-45 Star, Pacific Star, Defence Medal, 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".

With Service No 271074 he served in the Citizen Military Force (Reserves) with 2nd Infantry Battalion from 9 Jul 1948 to 13 Jul 1951 and again from 3 Feb 1953 to 30 Jun 1960. Later serving with 2nd Royal New South Wales Regiment from 1 Jul 1960 to at least Aug 1969, where he is listed as a Warrant officer Class 2 when he claimed a Clasp for his Efficiency Medal.