Ken was born in Cheltenham and went to the local state school until he was 10 years old, then the family moved to a farm at Athlone and he went to the Athlone state school. On leaving school Ken worked on Margaret's family farm at North Poowong. He joined the local Militia Battalion in 1938. He joined the 2/2nd in Timor in December 1941 with other reinforcements and stayed with the Unit until the end of the war. He was a very good and reliable member of 3 Section "A' Troop throughout the war years, reaching the rank of sergeant. He was discharged in January 1946 and returned to Athlone.
Ken married Margaret in April 1947 and moved on to their own farm in Poowong East. It was very hard work getting established, living in a humble dwelling and they had to carry the milk by hand from the milking shed to the roadway for pick up in the early years until they had a very nice house built later. In the meantime they had four wonderful children, Barbara, Elva, Colin and Robert - a very loving and well knit family.
Ken and Margaret were great supporters of our Association and hardly missed a function and went to most of our safaris around Australia and Ken served on our committee until his passing.
East_Timor_trip_-_Robert_&_Colin_Monk_-_Courier_December_2010.pdf
Ken Monk Timor memories - hand written.pdf
Vale - Kenneth James Monk - Courier December 1997.pdf
Kenneth enlisted on 3 Oct 1941 and was a member of the First Reinforcements that arrive at Dili, Timor, aboard "KOOLAMA” on 22 Jan 1942, prior to the Japanese landing. He joined the unit as a Private in No 7 Section, “C” Platoon. After the campaign on Timor, he embarked with the unit, for Australia aboard the Royal Dutch destroyer “Tjerk Hides” on 16 Dec 1942.
After leave and reorganization, he embarked with the unit for New Guinea aboard “DUNTROON” on 17 Jun 1943 as a Private in No 3 section, “A” Troop. He was appointed Lance Corporal on 1 Jul 1943, promoted Corporal on 19 Jan 1944 and returned to Australia with them aboard “TAROONA” on 3 Sept 1944. After further leave and reorganization, he embarked for New Britain aboard “TAROONA” on 9 Apr 1945 with the unit as a Corporal in No 3 section, “A” Troop. He was appointed Lance Sergeant on 29 Aug 1945 and returned to Australia aboard "KATOOMBA" on 16 Dec 1945. He was discharged on 10 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
Edited by Peter Epps
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