Sydney Roy MARSH

Sydney enlisted in Citizen Military Force (Reserves) on 31 Jul 1940 and was posted to 12th Field Ambulance, Royal Australian Medical Corps on 21 Nov 1940. He transferred to the A.I.F. on 22 Apr 1941 and was posted to 2/40th Battalion on 24 May 1941. He joined the unit 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 either 11 Dec 1942.

Transferred to 1/12th Battalion on 21 Mar 1943 and embarked for New Guinea with them aboard “KATOOMBA” on 17 Aug 1943 and returned to Australia with them aboard “TAROONA” on 20 Apr 1944. He embarked for MOROTAI with them aboard "PORTUS H ROSE"  on 28 May 1945 and again embarked for BALIKPAPAN aboard Landing Ship Troops 456 on 23 Jun 1945. He transferred to 3rd Australian POW Group and embarked for MOTORAI aboard "REYNST" on 12 Sept 1945.

On 16 Sept 1945 he returned to Australia aboard "DUNTROON" on 7 Nov 1945 and was discharged on 20 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".