Edward (Ted) was an original member of the unit, embarking aboard “S.S. ZEALANDIA” on 8 Dec 1941 for Timor as a Private in No 1 Section, “A” Platoon.
After the unit left Koepang to proceed to Portuguese Timor, he and Private Charles Dodge 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 Charles tried to sail a native boat to Australia. Both were captured by the Japanese and spent the rest of the war as POW’s. Ted was confirmed a POW on 22 Apr 1943 and was repatriated from Fukuoka Camp, Japan on 19 Sept 1945 and was taken to Manila on 26 Sept 1945, then flown to Australia on 10 Oct 1945.
He was discharged on 31 Jan 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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