John Frederick BENSON

John enlisted on 29 Dec 1941 and after training was posted to 2nd Army Signals on 2 May 1942. He transferred to the following, Land Headquarters Signals on 8 Jul 1942, Queensland Lines of Communication on 21 Jul 1942, Armoured Corps Ordnance Workshop on 28 Sept 1942 and 3rd Australian Armoured Workshops on 23 Jan 1943. He was posted to 1st Australian Commando Training Battalion on 25 Feb 1943 and promoted to Acting Corporal on 8 Mar 1943. He reverted to Private at his own request and joined the 2/2nd on 15 May 1943.

He embarked with the unit for New Guinea aboard “DUNTROON” on 17 Jun 1943 as a Trooper and transferred to 2/6th Australian Independent Company (2/6 AIC) on 28 Dec 1943, then to 2/5th Field Company, Royal Australian Engineers on 14 Jan 1944 and returned to Australia with them aboard “TAROONA” on 4 Mar 1944.

He embarked for Morotai aboard Landing Ship Troops (LST) 721 on 23 May 1945 and the to Balikpapan aboard LST 397 7 Jul 1945. He returned to Australia aboard "MANOORA" on 16 Oct 1945 and was discharged on 24 Oct 1945.

He was entitled to the 1939-45 Star, Pacific Star, War Medal and Australian Service Medal 1939-45, pictured below. He may now also entitled to the Australian Service Medal 1945-75 with a clasp