Joseph William POYNTON

Joseph (Joe) enlisted on 9 May 1941 and was an original member of the unit, embarking aboard “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 16 Dec 1942.  

Joe was appointed Lance Corporal on 8 Jun 1943 and embarked with the unit for New Guinea aboard “DUNTROON” on 17 Jun 1943 as a Lance Corporal in No 2 Section, “A” Troop. He was appointed Paid Lance Corporal on 1 Jul 1943 and promoted Acting Corporal on 14 Dec 1943 and confirmed Corporal same day. Joe attended and qualified at New Guinea Force, Training School, Junior Leaders Course No 3 from 27 Mar to 24 Apr 1944.

He returned to Australia by plane on 31 Aug 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. He was appointed Lance Sergeant on 21 May 1945 and whilst on New Britain he attended Course No 5, Flame Thrower School from 5 Jul to 9 Jul 1945.

Joe returned to Australia aboard "WESTRALIA" on 13 Dec 1945 and was discharged on 16 Jan 1946.

Joe re-enlisted in the A.I.F. with Service No WX500550 for service as a member of Australia’s London Victory March Contingent, he 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. His London Victory March Contingent uniform is on display at the WA Army Museum in Fremantle. He was discharged a second time on 8 Oct 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.

Note 2. WX13530 Frederick William GROWNS.

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.

The Commander in Chief's Commendation Card below in there for your information only, as this one was actually awarded to Major Alexander Spence, Commanding Officer of the 2/2nd on Timor.