John (Jim "Bye Bye" was an original member of the unit, embarking aboard “S.S. ZEALANDIA” on 8 Dec 1941 for Timor as a Sapper in Engineers Section, Headquarters Group. After the campaign on Timor, he embarked with the unit, for Australia aboard the Royal Dutch destroyer “Tjerk Hiddes” on 11 Dec 1942.
After leave and reorganization, he embarked with the unit for New Guinea aboard S.S. “DUNTROON” on 17 Jun 1943 as a Sapper in Engineers Section, Headquarters Group. He transferred to 2/6th Field Company Engineers on 29 Dec 1943 and then to 2/2nd Pioneer Battalion on 29 Jan 1944.
John embarked for Australia aboard “KANIMBLA” on 8 Feb 1944 and transferred to 2nd Australian Beach Group on 25 Jul 1944.
He embarked for MOROTAI aboard “SEA BARB” on 16 Mar 1945, embarked for TARAKAN on 22 Apr 1945, embarked for MOROTAI aboard Landing Ship Troops (LST) 562 on 18 May 1945, then embarked for BALIKPAPAN aboard LST on 21 Jun 1945.
John transferred to 2/4th Field Company Engineers on 14 Nov 1945 and returned to Australia aboard LST 383 on 2 Dec 1945 and was discharged on 17 Dec 1945.
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".
Edited by Peter Epps
Recommended Comments
There are no comments to display.
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now