Bernard (Bernie) enlisted in Citizen Military Force (Reserve) on 9 Mar 1939 with Service No 462153 and was posted to "A" Squadron, 25th Light Horse (Machine Gun) Regiment. He was appointed Lance Corporal on 24 Oct 1940 and transferred to the A.I.F. on 14 May 1941. He was an original member of the unit, embarking aboard “S.S. ZEALANDIA” on 8 Dec 1941 for Timor as a Lance Corporal in No 3 Section, “A” Platoon.
He was Mentioned in Despatches for Gallant and Distinguished Service, 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.
Promoted to Corporal on 16 Nov 1942. After the campaign on Timor, he embarked with the unit, for Australia aboard the Royal Dutch destroyer “Tjerk Hides” on 16 Dec 1942. He was appointed Lance Sergeant on 9 Jun 1943 and after leave and reorganization, he embarked with the unit for New Guinea aboard S.S. “DUNTROON” on 17 Jun 1943 as a Lance Sergeant in No 3 Section, “A” Troop. He was promoted to Sergeant on 19 Jan 1944 and returned to Australia with the unit aboard “TAROONA” on 3 Sept 1944.
Bernard transferred out of the unit on 3 Apr 1945 and was discharged on 30 Jan 1946.
Bernard was made a Life Member of the Association in 1991.
He was entitled to the 1939-45 Star, Pacific Star, War Medal and Australian Service Medal 1939-45, pictured below.
Edited by Peter Epps
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