James GRIFFIN

James enlisted on 22 Jun 1940 and was posted to 2/40th Infantry Battalion on 21 Mar 1941. He joined the unit on Timor as a Private from 2/40 Battalion, after the fall of Koepang, in about 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 16 Dec 1942. 

He was transferred to the unit from the 2/40th Battalion on arrival back in Australia.

After leave and reorganisation he embarked with the unit for New Guinea as a Trooper in the Headquarters group of "A" Troop aboard SS Duntroon on 17 Jun 1943 and returned to Australia with them aboard Taroona on 3 Sept 1944. After leave and reorganisation, he embarked for New Britain aboard Taroona on 9 Apr 1945 with the unit as a Trooper in the Headquarters group of "A" Troop.

He was discharged on 3 Oct 1945.

He was entitled to the 1939-45 Star, Pacific Star, War Medal and Australian Service Medal 1939-45, pictured below.