Alexander James LONG

Alexander was a permanent member of the Australian Army with Service No PF8570 serving with 8th Heavy Battery, Royal Australian Artillery (RAA) when he enlisted in the A.I.F. on 17 Jun 1941. He was posted to 2/1st Heavy Battery, RAA and embarked for Timor aboard "WESTRALIA" on 8 Dec 1941. He joined the 2/2nd on Timor as a Gunner, from 2/1st Heavy Battery, after the fall of Koepang, approx. March 1942.

He was one of the former Koepang men, who moved to the village of Mape for intensive commando training and on 8 May 1942, they were formed into a new Platoon, “D” Platoon under the command of Lieutenant Turton and later under Lt Doig. After the campaign on Timor, he embarked with the unit, for Australia aboard the Royal Dutch destroyer “Tjerk Hiddes” on 11 Dec 1942.

He returned to 2/1st Heavy Battery, RAA on 23 Mar 1943 , was appointed Lance Corporal on 27 Mar 1943, promoted Acting Bombardier on 9 Oct 1943 and transferred to 1st Australian Coastal Artillery Training Battery on 30 Mar 1944. He was promoted to Acting Sergeant on 30 Mar 1944, but reverted to Gunner on 20 Jul 1944 and was transferred to 1st Australian Base Depot on 19 Sept 1944, then to 1st Australian Army Ordnance Training Battalion on 26 Sept 1944 and then to 1st Australian Ordnance Vehicle Park on 16 Dec 1944.

He was discharged on 26 Oct 1945.

He was entitled to the 1939-45 Star, Pacific Star, War Medal and Australian Service Medal 1939-45, pictured below.