John enlisted on 6 may 1941 and was an original member of the unit, embarking aboard “ZEALANDIA” on 8 Dec 1941 for Timor as a Private in No 9 Sect, “C” Platoon. In Jul 1942 he was part of “H” Force which comprised 2 Officers and 10 men to source food and patrol the east end of the island for Japanese infiltration. After the campaign on Timor, he embarked with the unit, for Australia aboard the Royal Dutch destroyer “Tjerk Hiddes” on 16 Dec 1942.
He was appointed Lance Corporal on 8 Jun 1943 and embarked with the unit as a Lance Corporal in No 9 Sect, “C” Troop for New Guinea aboard “DUNTROON” on 17 Jun 1943. He was then appointed Paid Lance Corporal on 1 Jul 1943 and returned to Australia with them aboard “TAROONA” on 3 Sept 1944. He was promoted Acting Corporal on 30 Jan 1945.
John was Mentioned in Despatches, London Gazette, 8 March 1945, Commonwealth Gazette, No 54, 15 March 1945, for Distinguished Service in the South West Pacific (New Guinea).
After leave and reorganization, he embarked for New Britain aboard “TAROONA” on 9 Apr 1945 with the unit, as a Corporal in No 9 Sect, “C” Troop. he was confirmed as Corporal on 30 Apr 1945. John left the 2/2nd on 26 Dec 1945 and returned to Australia aboard "TAOS VICTORY" on 29 Jan 1946, he was discharged on 19 Mar 1946.
He served for many years on the Association Committee & was made a Life Member of the Association in 1958.
He was awarded
Centenary Medal 1 Jan 2001
Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) 11 Jun 2001
He was entitled to the 1939-45 Star, Pacific Star, War Medal and Australian Service Medal 1939-45, pictured below. He is now also entitled to the Australian Service Medal 1945-75 with a clasp
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