Joseph William POYNTON

Joseph (Joe) was an original member of the unit, embarking aboard “S.S. ZEALANDIA” on 8 Dec 1941 for Timor as a Private in No 2 Section, “A” Platoon. He took part in the defence of Dili Aerodrome and was awarded a Distinguished Conduct Medal, London Gazette, 2 Feb 1943, a Dutch Bronze Cross, Commonwealth of Australia Gazette, No 233 23 Nov 1944 and Commander in Chief Commendation Card for service in Timor, Authority, Army Order 69/43, 11 Jan 1943.

After the campaign on Timor, he embarked with the unit, for Australia aboard the Royal Dutch destroyer “Tjerk Hiddes” on either 11 Dec 1942 or 16 Dec 1942, as the embarkation rolls do not differentiate.

After leave and reorganization, he embarked with the unit for New Guinea aboard S.S. “DUNTROON” on 17 Jun 1943 as a Lance Corporal in No 2 Section, “A” Troop and returned to Australia with them aboard “TAROONA” on 3 Sept 1944. After further leave and reorganization, he embarked for New Britain aboard “TAROONA” on 9 Apr 1945 with the unit as a Corporal in No 2 Section, “A” Troop. Whilst on New Britain he attended Course No 5, Flame Thrower School from 5 Jul to 9 Jul 1945.

Joe was discharged on 16 Jan 1946 but was then made a member of Australia’s London Victory March Contingent, with Service No WX500550, that embarked aboard HMAS “SHROPSHIRE” for the UK on 18 Apr 1946 and returned to Australia aboard HMAS “SHROPSHIRE”, arriving at Fremantle on 8 Aug 1946.

Joe was made a Life Member of the Association in 1975 and his wife Helen was made a Life Member of the Association in 1981.

Dutch Bronze Cross

“During the operations at Dilli Aerodrome on the night of 19/20 February 1942, Pte POYNTON, together with three others, fiercely attacked Japanese troops crossing a small bridge leading to “DILLI” aerodrome, and by his example, coolness and daring, and total disregard of the danger he very materially prevented two attempts to take the aerodrome hangers. He fought the Japanese at close quarters with his tommy gun, inflicting several casualties. In subsequent action on the following day when Pte POYNTON and another soldier took up an ambush position, the other soldier very quickly inflicted one Japanese casualty. POYNTON, with great determination and daring went into action and silenced a Lewis gun nearest him with the Thompson machine gun. He then obtained some hand grenades from a Dutch soldier, rushed forward to a nearby tree, threw three grenades, the third of which blew up the gun and four of the crew. This resolute and daring action enabled Lt McKenzie to continue the manoeuvre".

Note: The other two soldiers were WX11366 John Frederick FOWLER and WX13530 Frederick William GROWNS

Distinguish Conduct Medal

“During the operations at Dili Aerodrome on the night of 19/20 February 1942, Pte POYNTON, together with three others, fiercely attacked Japanese troops crossing a small bridge leading to “DILI” aerodrome, and by his example, coolness and daring, and total disregard of the danger he very materially prevented two attempts to take the aerodrome hangers. He fought the Japanese at close quarters with his tommy gun, inflicting several casualties. In subsequent action on the following day when Privates POYNTON and GROWNS took up an ambush position, GROWNS very quickly inflicted one Japanese casualty. POYNTON, with great determination and daring went into action and silenced a Lewis gun nearest him with the Thompson machine gun. He then obtained some hand grenades from a Dutch soldier, rushed forward to a nearby tree, threw three grenades, the third of which blew up the gun and four of the crew. This resolute and daring action enabled Lt McKenzie to continue the manoeuvre“.

Note 1. The third soldier was WX11366 Fowler, John Frederick FOWLER. Mentioned in Despatches for this and other actions.