Malcolm BENNETT

Malcolm enlisted on 24 Oct 1940 and was posted to 2/40th Battalion. He embarked for Timor with them aboard "WESTRALIA" on 8 Dec 1941 and  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 transferred to 22nd Australian Motor Regiment on 18 Mar 1943 and then to 2/12th Battalion on 3 Jul 1943. He embarked for New Guinea aboard "KATOOMBA" with the 2/12th on 17 Aug 1943. He was medevac'd to Australia on 17 Feb 1944 and re-joined the 2/12th on 2 Sept 1944. He was appointed Paid Lance Corporal on 21 Nov 1944 and attended 18th Brigade Junior Leaders Course No 2 from 2 Jan 1945 to 18 Jan 1945. He embarked for Moratai with the 2/12th aboard  "PONTUS H ROSS" on 28 May 1945 and then embarked for Balikpapan aboard Landing Ship Troops 397 on 22 Jun 1945. He was promoted Acting Corporal on 1 Jul 1945, confirmed Corporal on 21 Sept 1945 and Sergeant on 11 Oct 1945.

He returned to Australia on 25 Jan 1945 and was discharged on 15 Feb 1946.

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