Leonard Arthur BAGLEY

Len joined the Citizen Military Forces, (Reserve) on 8 Jan 1942 and served as a Private in 5th Garrison Battalion, Swanbourne, WA, with Service No W23339.

He joined the AIF on 23 Nov 1942 with service No WX35333 and trained at 1st Commando Training Sqn, from 25 Feb 1943, transferring to the unit as a Trooper in the Transport Section of Headquarters Group on 15 May 1943. Len embarked with the unit for New Guinea aboard SS “DUNTROON” on 17 Jun 1943 as a Trooper and returned to Australia with them aboard “TAROONA” on 3 Sept 1944.

After leave and reorganization, he embarked for New Britain aboard “TAROONA” on 9 Apr 1945 with the unit as a Trooper.

As the unit had no transport, the Transport Section was used as another fighting section. Len transferred to 12th Army Transport on 24 Dec 1954 and returned to Australia aboard "ANATINA" and was discharged on 24 Jun 1946.

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,

Len was made a Life Member of the Association in 1973, his partner, Betty llsley was in 1992, his son Gavin was made a Life Member of the Association.