Charles (Charlie) was an original member of the unit, embarking aboard “S.S. ZEALANDIA” on 8 Dec 1941 for Timor as a Private in No 1 sect, “A” Platoon.
After the unit left Koepang to proceed to Portuguese Timor, he and Private Edward Potts were kept in Koepang as witnesses to Private Swift's death. After the Japanese landed at Koepang and the order was given "every man for himself", he and Edward Potts tried to sail a native boat to Australia. Both were captured by the Japanese and spent the rest of the war as POW’s. He was confirmed as a POW on 9 Jun 1944. On 12 Sept 1945 he was repatriated from a POW camp at Makassar, Indonesia and flown to Balikpapan, Borneo and then returned to Australia aboard "WANGANELLA" on 13 Oct 1945.
After recuperation, Charles was discharged on 7 Feb 1946.
He was entitled to the 1939-45 Star, Pacific Star, War Medal and Australian Service Medal 1939-45, pictured below. He may now also be entitled to the Australian Service Medal 1945-75 with a clasp "S.W.Pacific".
Edited by Peter Epps
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