Ralph enlisted on 24 Jun 1940 and was posted to 2/40th Battalion. He was promoted Corporal on 4 Jul 1940 and embarked for Timor on 8 Dec 1941. He joined the 2/2nd on Timor as a Corporal 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 to Tasmanian Lines of Communications, Records Office on 5 Aug 1943, promoted Acting Sergeant on 24 Mar 1944 and Sergeant on 24 Jun 1944.
He was discharged on 23 Oct 1945.
He was entitled to the 1939-45 Star, Pacific Star, Defence Medal, War Medal and Australian Service Medal 1939-45, pictured below.
Edited by Peter Epps
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