Vernon enlisted in Citizens Military Forces (Reserves) with Service No T 27447 and was posted to 12/50th Infantry Battalion. He transferred to the A.I.F. on 25 Nov 1941 and was posted to 2/40th Battalion. He embarked for Timor aboard "KOOLAMA" with the 2/40th on 17 Jan 1941 and 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 11 Dec 1942.
He transferred to 2/12th Battalion on 7 Jun 1943 and embarked for New Guinea with them aboard "KATOOMBA" on 17 Aug 1943. Vern was Wounded in Action on 22 Jan 1944 and re-joined the 2/12th on 25 Mar 1944, he returned to Australia with them aboard "PAHUD" on 17 May 1944.
He transferred to 6/30th Garrison Battalion on 25 Aug 1944 and was discharged on 15 Sept 1944.
He was entitled to the 1939-45 Star, Pacific Star, War Medal and Australian Service Medal 1939-45, pictured below
Edited by Peter Epps
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