Eric Jack NORTHEY

Eric (Jack) enlisted on 12 Jan 1942 and was posted to 2nd reinforcements of 28th Infantry Battalion on 19 Jan 1942. He was promoted to Acting Corporal on 27 Mar 1942 and transferred to Guerrilla Warfare Centre, Foster, Victoria on 15 Jul 1942. He reverted to Private at his own request on 30 Oct 1942 and proceeded to Queensland on 22 Dec 1942. He was promoted to Acting Sergeant on 2 Jan 1943 but reverted to Private at his own request on 28 Jan 1943. He embarked for New Guinea aboard “KATOOMBA” on 17 Feb 1943 and joined the unit on New Guinea on 25 Jun 1943 as a Trooper and served in the Transport Section. As the unit had no transport, the section, was used the same as the other sections of the unit. Lt Curran took the section on a long patrol to JAPA and beyond and Eric was Killed In Action, during a clash with a Jap patrol near URIGINA, New Guinea (which is in North East New Guinea, far behind Jap lines) on 6 Dec 1943. He was buried at URIGINA, but over time his grave was lost and he is now commemorated on Panel 1, PORT MORESBY MEMORIAL.

He was entitled to the 1939-45 Star, Pacific Star, War Medal and Australian Service Medal 1939-45, pictured below.