Lewis Charles NICKLASON

Lewis enlisted on 20 Mar 1941 and was posted to 2/21st Infantry Battalion on 1 Jun 1941, he transferred to 2/40th Infantry battalion on 7 Jul 1941. He joined the unit on Timor as a Private, from 2/40 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 16 Dec 1942.

Lewis transferred to 2/12th Infantry Battalion on 10 Jul 1943 and embarked with them for New Guinea aboard “KATOOMBA” on 17 Aug 1943. he was promoted to paid Lance Corporal on 30 Apr 1944 and embarked for Australia aboard “VAN DER BOCH” on 10 May 1944. Promoted Acting Corporal 30 Apr 1945 and assumed his true name of Charles Lewis Nicklason on 22 Apr 1945 **. He embarked for MOROTAI aboard "PORTUS H ROSE" on 28 May 1945 and reverted to Private on 16 Jun 1945. Lewis returned to Australia aboard “KANIMBLA” on 28 Nov 1945 and was discharged on 22 Dec 1945.

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".

** When claiming his medals in Oct 1980 he signed the letter Lewis Charles Nicklason.