David St Alban DEXTER

David served with 2/21 Battalion, 1940-41. Promoted to Lieutenant, 11 Jul 1941.

He was an original member of the unit, embarking aboard SS "Zealandia" on 8 Dec 1941 for Timor as a Lieutenant, Officer Commanding, No 1 Section, "A " Platoon. He was promoted to Captain, 1 Sept 1942. After the campaign on Timor, he embarked with the unit, for Australia aboard the Royal Dutch destroyer "Tjerk Hiddes" on 16 Dec 1942.

He was Mentioned in Despatches, London Gazette, 25 May 1943 and in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette, No 119-3 Jun 1943. These are the two Gazettes for the Timor Campaign.

After leave and reorganisation he embarked with the unit as a Captain, Officer Commanding, "A"  Troop, for New Guinea aboard SS "Duntroon" on 17 Jun 1943, he was wounded in action on 29 Sept 1943 and re-joined the unit on 5 Nov 1943. David left the unit and enplaned to Australia on 2 Mar 1944 and transferred to Land Headquarters, Officer Cadet Training Unit at Woodside, S.A. as an Instructor on 29 Feb 1944. He then joined "Z" Special on 27 May 1944 and re joined the unit on 7 Dec 1944.

He was Mentioned in Despatches, for the second time, London Gazette, 8 Mar 1945 and in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette, No 54-15 Mar 1945.

After leave and further reorganisation, he embarked for New Britain aboard "Taroona" on 9 Apr 1945 with the unit as a Captain, Officer Commanding, "B" Troop. He enplaned to Australia on 7 Jun 1945. He was promoted to Major and appointed the Officer Commanding, 2/4th Commando Squadron on 12 Jun 1945. He enplaned for MOROTAI on 13 Sept 1945 and returned to Australia aboard "STANFORD VICTORY" on 16 Dec 1945 and was discharged on 16 Jan 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 "S.W.Pacific".