William served in 22nd Light Horse Regiment, Citizens Military Forces (Reserves) for 3 years prior to transferring to the A.I.F. on 5 Dec 1940 and posted to 2/40th Battalion. He embarked for Timor 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, Bill joined No 4 Section, "B" Platoon in August and served with them until evacuation. After the campaign on Timor, he embarked with the unit, for Australia aboard the Royal Dutch destroyer “Tjerk Hiddes” on 16 Dec 1942.
He transferred to 2/12th battalion on 27 Jul 1943 and embarked for New Guinea with them aboard "KATOOMBA" on 17 Aug 1943. He returned to Australia aboard "TAROONA" on6 May 1944 and was discharged on 19 Dec 1944.
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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