Athol Bruce RICHARDS

Athol served with Service No 233847and posted to 12/50th Battalion, Citizens Military Forces (Reserves) from 10 Dec 1929 to 22 Mar 1932 and then 15 Jan 1935 to 5 Mar 1938 gaining the rank of Sergeant prior to enlisting in the A.I.F. on 9 Jul 1940. He was posted to 2/40th Battalion and embarked for Timor on 8 Dec 1941. He joined the 2/2nd on Timor as a Private from 2/40th Battalion, 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 was posted as a Staff member of General Duties Depot , Tasmania on 11 Aug 1943 and promoted Acting Corporal on 8 Dec 1943 and confirmed Corporal on 13 Apr 1945. He transferred to Tasmanian Distribution depot on 3 Aug 1945 and promoted Sergeant on 14 Dec 1945.         

He was discharged on 30 Sept 1946.

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