Colin enlisted on the 14 May 1941 and was an original member of the unit, embarking aboard “S.S. ZEALANDIA” on 8 Dec 1941 for Timor as a Lance Corporal in No 2 Sect, “A” Platoon. After the campaign on Timor, he embarked with the unit, for Australia aboard the Royal Dutch destroyer “Tjerk Hiddes” on 16 Dec 1942.
Colin transferred as an instructor at 1st Australian Commando Training Squadron on 3 May 1943 and re-joined the 2/2 on 15 May 1943. He then transferred again as an instructor at 1st Australian Commando Training Squadron on 20 May 1943.
He was posted to "Z" Special Force for training on 21 Sept 1944 and attended a Parachute Training Course on 21 Dec 1944 and re-joined "Z" Special on 29 Jan 1945.
Promoted to Acting Corporal on 25 May 1945 and confirmed Corporal, 27 Sept 1945.
Completed 3 secret missions out of Darwin in Fishing Junk (TIGER SNAKE) landing on Timor and Roti Islands.
Left Australia 19 Apr 1945, returned to Australia 3 May 1945
Left Australia 6 Jun 1945, returned to Australia 10 Jun 1945
Left Australia 19 Jun 1945, returned to Australia 24 Jun 1945
He was discharged on 5 Nov 1945.
Colin was made a Life Member of the Association in 1991.
He was entitled to the 1939-45 Star, Pacific Star, Defence Medal, War Medal and Australian Service Medal 1939-45, pictured below.
Complete diary of service in Portuguese Timor - Colin Criddle.pdf
Vale Colin Raymond Criddle - Courier October 1993_1.pdf
Edited by Peter Epps
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