Rob Crossing

Roy enlisted on 26 Jul 1940 and was posted to 75th Light Aid Detachment (LAD), he embarked for Timor on 8 Dec 1941 and joined the 2/2nd on Timor as a Private from 75th LAD, after the fall of Koepang, in about March 1942. After the campaign on Timor, he embarked with the unit for Australia aboard the Royal Dutch destroyer Tjerk Hiddes on 11 Dec 1942. He transferred to 106th LAD on 17 Feb 1943, No 5 Australian Motor Transport Workshop on 12 Feb 1944, then to Lines of Communication, Workshop on 21 Feb 1944. He was discharged on 17 Dec 1945. He was entitled to the 1939-45 Star, Pacific Star, Defence Medal, War Medal and Australian Service Medal 1939-45, pictured below.

Henry enlisted in the Citizens Military Forces (Reserves) with Service No Q267274 on 4 Dec 1942, he transferred to the A.I.F. on 11 Sept 1943 and after training, embarked on 20 Apr 1944 for New Guinea aboard "ORMISTON" as a Trooper and joined the 2/2nd on 6 May 1944. He returned to Australia with them aboard "TAROONA" on 3 Sept 1944. After leave and reorganisation, he embarked for New Britain aboard "TAROONA" on 9 Apr 1945 with the unit as a Trooper. He returned to Australia aboard "WESTRALIA" on 13 Dec 1945 and was discharged on 19 Dec 1945. e 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.

Ronald joined the unit at Strathpine, Qld after attending 1st Australian Commando Training Battalion and served with the unit as a Trooper in Queensland. Ron transferred out of the unit on 13 Mar 1945, prior to the unit embarking for New Britain. He was discharged on 31 Jan 1946.

Harold joined the unit on New Guinea as a Trooper in "B" Troop and returned to Australia with them aboard Taroona on 3 Sept 1944. He was discharged on 11 Mar 1948. He also had a post war Service No 1576.

Cyril enlisted in the Citizens Military Force (Reserves) on 18 Apr 1942 with Service No Q109516 and was posted to 31st Infantry Battalion. He attended an Anti-Tank Course 26 Jul to 2 Sept 1942. He transferred to the A.I.F. on 2 Dec 1942 and was posted to 1st Australian Commando Training Battalion on 25 Feb 1943 and joined the 2/2nd on 15 May 1943. He embarked with the unit as a Trooper in No 2 Sect, A Troop for New Guinea aboard "DUNTROON" on 17 Jun 1943 and returned to Australia with them aboard "TAROONA" on 3 Sept 1944. He was discharged on 14 Sept 1945. He was entitled to the 1939-45 Star, Pacific Star, War Medal and Australian Service Medal 1939-45, pictured below.

William enlisted on 19 Feb 1942 and was posted to 7th Pioneer Company on 1 Apr 1942, then to 25th Australian Infantry Training Battalion on 1 Oct 1942.. He transferred to 1st Australian Commando Training Squadron on 25 Feb 1943. He joined the unit on 15 May 1943 and embarked with the unit for New Guinea as a Trooper in No 9 Section, “C” Troop aboard SS "DUNTROON" on 17 Jun 1943 and returned to Australia with them aboard "TAROONA" on 3 Sept 1944. After leave and reorganisation, he embarked for New Britain aboard "TAROONA" on 9 Apr 1945 with the unit as a Trooper in No 9 Section, “C” Troop. He returned to Australia aboard "ORMISTON" on 18 Oct 1945 and was discharged on 2 Nov 1945. 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 "S.W.Pacific".

Marcus enlisted on 19 Nov 1941. He was posted to 1st Australian Commando Training Battalion on 15 Feb 1943 and joined the 2/2 on 15 May 1943. He embarked with the unit for New Guinea aboard "DUNTROON" on 17 Jun 1943 as a Private. He transferred to 1st Australian Corps on 25 Mar 1944 and returned to Australia with them aboard "OTMISTON" on 30 Mar 1944. He transferred to 2/3rd Commando Squadron on 30 Oct 1944 and then to 1st Australian Beach Work Shop, Australian Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, (AEME) on 31 Mar 1945. He embarked for Moratai aboard "DAVID C PLANK" on 11 Apr 1945, then embarked for British North Borneo aboard Landing Ship Troops 595 on 1 Jun 1945. He returned to Australia aboard "EASTERN PRINCE" 27 Jan 1946 and was discharged on 17 Oct 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

Harold ("Baldy") was a member of the Citizens Military Forces from 3 May 1940 to 30 Jun 1941, serving in Northern Command Signals, No 4 Detachment. He was promoted Lieutenant on 19 Aug 1940 and joined the Australian Imperial Force (A.I.F.) on 1 Jul 1941. After Commando training, he was a member of the first reinforcements that arrived at Dili, Timor, aboard MV "KOOLAMBA", on 22 Jan 1942, prior to the Japanese landing. He joined the unit as a Lieutenant and was a member of the diversion group for the Dili raid, carried out by No 4 Section on the night of May 15/16, 1942. A patrol led by Lieutenant Harold Garnett, which brought back a 6-volt, and 100-watt battery charger salvaged from a car near Dili. He embarked at Betano for Darwin aboard the "KURU" on 27 Jul 1942. Harold transferred to 1st Australian Commando Training Squadron, as an Instructor on 13 May 1943 and relinquished the appointment of Instructor on 22 Nov 1943 and served with numerous Land Headquarters, Signals units. He was promoted Captain on 3 Feb 1945 and was discharged on 7 Nov 1945. He was entitled to the 1939-45 Star, Pacific Star, War Medal and Australian Service Medal 1939-45, pictured below.

Frank was serving in the Citizens Military Forces (Reserves) with Service No Q302614 in 51st Battalion as a Warrant Officer (WO) Class II when he enlisted into the A.I.F. on 3 Jan 1941. He was posted to 2/26th Infantry Battalion and then selected for training with the 2/2nd. He was an original member of the unit, embarking aboard "ZEALANDIA" on 8 Dec 1941 for Timor as a Warrant Officer Class II in the Headquarters Group. After his campaign on Timor, he was medevac'd at "Betano" for Darwin from aboard the "KURU" on 2 Sept 1942 as a Warrant Officer Class II. After medical treatment he was transferred to Land Head Quarters Training Centre on 7 Jan 1943, he was promoted to Acting WO Class I on 6 Apr 1943 and then transferred as an Instructor to 1st Australian Commando Training Battalion on 6 Apr 1943. Frank was transferred to 4th Australian Reinforcement Training Battalion on 10 Oct 1943 and then to Camp Staff, Canungra on 27 Mar 1944. He was confirmed as WO Class I on 24 Jan 1945 and was discharged as a Warrant Officer Class I on 10 Sept 1945. He was entitled to the 1939-45 Star, Pacific Star, War Medal and Australian Service Medal 1939-45, pictured below.

Peter enlisted on 21 Jan 1941 and was an original member of the unit, embarking for Timor aboard “ZEALANDIA” on 8 Dec 1941 as a Private No 5 Sect, “B” Platoon and then No 2 Sect, “A” Platoon. After his campaign on Timor, he was medevac to Australia on 17 Sept 1942. After numerous medical treatment he was discharged on 3 Nov 1944. He was entitled to the 1939-45 Star, Pacific Star, War Medal and Australian Service Medal 1939-45, pictured below.

Noel enlisted on 6 Jul 1940 and was posted to 2/11th Field Company, Royal Australian Engineers (RAE). He embarked for Timor on 8 Dec 1941 and joined the 2/2nd on Timor as a Sapper from 2/11 Field Company Engineers, after the fall of Koepang, in about March 1942. After the campaign on Timor, he embarked with the unit for Australia aboard the Royal Dutch destroyer “Tjerk Hiddes” on 16 Dec 1942. He returned to 2/11th on 15 Mar 1943, was transferred to 1st Australian Base Store Company on 16 Jun 1944 and returned to 2/11th on 22 Sept 1944. He embarked for Morotai aboard "SEA BARB" on 16 Mar 1945 then embarked for Tarakan on 22 Apr 1945, then to Balikpapan aboard USS "CARTER HALL" on 25 Jun 1945. He returned to Australia aboard "IMPLACABLE" on 19 Nov 1945 and was discharged on 29 Nov 1945. He was entitled to the 1939-45 Star, Pacific Star, Defence Medal, 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

Albert joined the unit on Timor as a Sapper from 2/11 Field Company Engineers, after the fall of Koepang, in about March 1942. 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. He was discharged as a Sergeant in 2/11 Field Company Engineers on 9 Jun 1948 and had Service No 19345 which generally denotes post WW2 service.

Alfred enlisted on 27 Jun 1940 and was posted to 2/11th Field Company, Royal Australian Engineers (RAE). He embarked for Timor on 17 Jan 1942 and joined the 2/2nd on Timor as a Sapper from 2/11 Field Company Engineers, after the fall of Koepang, in about March 1942. After the campaign on Timor, he embarked with the unit, for Australia aboard the Royal Dutch destroyer “Tjerk Hiddes” on 11 Dec 1942. He returned to 2/11th on 15 Mar 1943 and transferred to 3rd Australian Maintenance Platoon on 5 May 1943. He qualified as a Refrigeration Mechanic on 29 Jul 1944 after attending Course No 67 Serial Vic 7A. He was discharged on 9 Nov 1945. He was entitled to the 1939-45 Star, Pacific Star, Defence Medal, War Medal and Australian Service Medal 1939-45, pictured below

John enlisted on 29 May 1940 and was posted to 2/11th Field Company, Royal Australian Engineers (RAE). He was appointed Lance Corporal on 11 Sept 1940, promoted Acting Corporal on 2 Dec 1940 and confirmed Corporal on 15 Dec 1940. He embarked for Timor on the 8 Dec 1941 and joined the 2/2nd on Timor as a Corporal from 2/11 Field Company, RAE, after the fall of Koepang, approx March 1942. After the campaign on Timor, he embarked with the unit, for Australia aboard the Royal Dutch destroyer “Tjerk Hides” on 11 Dec 1942. He was posted to RAE Training Centre, Wagga on 15 Mar 1943 and returned to the 2/11th Field Company, RAE on 13 May 1943. He was promoted Acting Sergeant on 14 May 1943 and embarked for New Guinea aboard "TAROONA" on 7 Oct 1943. He was confirmed as Sergeant on 21 Dec 1943 and returned to Australia aboard "KATOOMBA" on 27 Feb 1944. He attended the School of Military Engineering, Mobile Team Bomb Disposal Course No 1 from 8 Aug 1944 to 10 Sept 1944. Then attended the School of Military Engineering, NCO's Course No 75/44 from 3 Dec 1944 to 24 Feb 1945. He embarked for Morotai on 6 My 1945 then embarked for Balikpapan aboard Landing Ship Troops 666 on 21 Jun 1945 and returned to Australia aboard "WESTRALIA" on 16 Oct 1945. He was discharged 23 Oct 1945. He was entitled to the 1939-45 Star, Pacific Star, Defence Medal, 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.

Leslie enlisted on 2 Jul 1940 and posted to 2/11th Field Company (Fld Coy), Royal Australian Engineers (RAE) on 17 Aug 1940. He spent 9 months in the N.T. before proceeding to Timor on 8 Dec 1942. He joined the unit on Timor as a Private from 2/11th Field Company Engineers, after the fall of Koepang, approx March 1942. After the campaign on Timor, he embarked with the unit for Australia aboard the Royal Dutch destroyer “Tjerk Hiddes” on 11 Dec 1942. He was posted back to 2/11th Fld Coy on 15 Jul 1943 and he embarked with the them for New Guinea aboard “TAROONA” on 7 Oct 1943 and returned to Australia with them on 19 Mar 1944. He transferred to 2/24th Aust Fld Park Coy on 14 Jun 1944. After service in Qld, he embarked for MOROTAI aboard "GENERAL McRAE" 23 Apr 1945 and the embarked for BRITISH NORTH BORNEO aboard a Landing Ship Troops (LST) on 9 Apr 1945. He returned to Australia aboard "PACKARD VICTORY" on 23 Jan 1946 and was discharged on 1 Feb 1946. He was entitled to the 1939-45 Star, Pacific Star, Defence Medal, 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 "S.W.Pacific".

Arnold enlisted on 21 Jun 1940 and was posted to 2/11th Field Company, Royal Australian Engineers (RAE) on 19 Aug 1940. He was ill and did not embark with his unit but embarked aboard "KOOLAMA" with the First Reinforcements for the 2/2nd Independent Company on 17 Jan 1941. He joined the unit on Timor as a Sapper from the 2/11 Field Company, RAE, after the fall of Koepang, in about March 1942. After the campaign on Timor, he embarked with the unit for Australia aboard the Royal Dutch destroyer “Tjerk Hiddes” on 11 Dec 1942. He returned to 2/11th Field Company on 13 Aug 1943 and was appointed Lance Corporal on 15 Sept 1943. He embarked for New Guinea with them aboard "DUNTROON" on 17 Oct 1943 and was promoted to Acting Corporal on 1 Nov 1943, he was confirmed as Corporal on 21 Dec 1943. He returned to Australia aboard "KATOOMBA" on 19 Feb 1944 and embarked with his unit for MOROTAI aboard "SEA BARB" on 16 Mar 1945. He embarked for TARAKAN on 22 Apr 1945, then embarked for MOROTAI on 12 May 1945 and then embarked for BALIKPAPAN on 21 Jun 1945. He returned to Australia aboard "KINGS POINT VICTORY" on 31 Dec 1945 and was discharged on 18 Jan 1946. He was entitled to the 1939-45 Star, Pacific Star, Defence Medal, 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 "S.W.Pacific".

Archibald (Tiny) enlisted on 20 Jun 1940 and posted to 2/11th Field Company, Royal Australian Engineers (RAE) on 19 Aug 1940. He joined the unit on Timor from 2/11th Field Company, after the fall of Koepang, approx March 1942. Late in Mar 1942, he was part of Lt Doig's No 13 Section, comprising men, from the Koepang end of Timor, that were stationed at Maliana to patrol the boarder area. He later attended a special training course at “Sinaro” and served with Lt Rodd and Lt Green’s Sections. After the campaign on Timor, he embarked with the unit, for Australia aboard the Royal Dutch destroyer “Tjerk Hiddes” on 16 Dec 1942. He transferred to 3rd Australian Maintenance Platoon, RAE on 5 may 1943 then to 2/11th Field Company, RAE on 23 Jun 1944. He embarked for MOROTAI aboard "SEA BARB" on 16 Mar 1945, then embarked for TARAKAN on 22 Apr 1945, then embarked for MOTOTAI aboard Landing Ship Troops (LST) 466 on 18 May 1945, then embarked for BALIKPAPAN aboard Landing Ship Troops (LST) 639 on 21 Jun 1945 and returned to Australia aboard HMS IMPLACABLE on 19 Nov 1945. He was discharged on 11 Dec 1945. 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 "S.W.Pacific".

Mark enlisted on 17 Jun 1940 and was posted to 2/11th Field Company, Royal Australian Engineers (RAE). He embarked for Timor aboard "KOOLAMA" on 17 Jan 1942 and joined the 2/2nd on Timor as a Sapper form 2/11 Field Company, after the fall of Koepang, approx March 1942. Fought Rear-guard action to cover “D” Platoon (Lt Doig) and the Hospital Patients during their embarkation from Timor, 10 Dec 1942. Though he could have made good his own escape, he stayed to help Sapper Sagar, who was wounded during the Rear-guard action. He embarked with the unit, for Australia aboard the Royal Dutch destroyer “Tjerk Hiddes” on 16 Dec 1942. He returned to 2/11th on 18 Feb 1943 and transferred to 3rd Australian Maintenance Platoon on 30 Apr 1943, then to 1st Australian Construction Company on 12 Oct 1943 and then 1st Australian Stores Base Company on 13 Apr 1945. He was discharged on 16 Oct 1945. He was entitled to the 1939-45 Star, Pacific Star, Defence Medal, War Medal and Australian Service Medal 1939-45, pictured below.

Harold enlisted on 6 May 1940 and was posted to 2/11th Field Company, Royal Australian Engineers (RAE) on 16 Aug 1940. He joined the unit on Timor as a Sapper from the 2/11 Field Company, RAE, after the fall of Koepang, in about March 1942. After the campaign on Timor, he embarked with the unit, for Australia aboard the Royal Dutch destroyer “Tjerk Hiddes” on 16 Dec 1942. He rejoined the 2/11 Field Company on return to Australia and embarked with them for MOROTAI on 16 Mar 1945, embarked for TARARKAN on 22 Apr 1945, embarked for MOROTAI on 18 May 1945, embarked for BALIKPAPAN on 21 Jun 1945, embarked for MOROTAI on 12 Sept 1945. He returned to Australia aboard "KANAMBLA" on 23 Dec 1945 and was discharged on 9 Jan 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 "S.W.Pacific".

Dodd enlisted on 6 Jun 1940 and was posted to 2/11th Field Company, Royal Australian Engineers (RAE). He embarked for Timor on 8 Dec 1941 and joined the 2/2nd on Timor as a Private from 2/11 Field Company Engineers, after the fall of Koepang, in about March 1942. He was medevac'd from Betano for Australia on 7 Nov 1942 and after medical treatment he was discharged on 5 Mar 1945. He was entitled to the 1939-45 Star, Pacific Star, Defence Medal, War Medal and Australian Service Medal 1939-45, pictured below.

Alexandre da Silva Tilman was a man whose actions during WWII were of tremendous value to the 2/2 and other Australian forces. He also contributed bravely and selflessly in Timor-Leste's campaign against the Indonesian occupation. He passed away on 19 February 2017. The following bio was provided by his nephew, Manuel Viegas. Alexandre da Silva Tilman Born: 10 October 1921 Native of Dili, East Timor and most recently residing at 6A Melville Avenue, Cabramatta NSW 2166, Australia. He suffered a stroke in December 1985 when he was, then, aged 64 which resulted from horrendous psychological and physical torture such as unrelenting beatings, electric shocks and barbaric & inhumane abuses under the hands of the Indonesian military during the occupation. Alexandre da Silva Tilman was incarcerated and imprisoned four times between 1976 until 1985. Alexandre da Silva Tilman contributed in two historical theatres of war; WWII and Indonesia’s invasion and consequent occupation of East Timor. Quite possibly, he was the last of the East Timorese combatants who were also veterans of WWII. During WWII, he was an unofficially recruited civilian who was issued with an Australian military uniform by the Australian forces to navigate the maritime passages from Timor to Australia as well as carry out intelligence operative work (with Groper Party Z Special Unit of the 2/2nd AIF Commando Company). Their operation required that they cross backwards and forwards, in three separate perilous missions across an ocean controlled by fierce Japanese forces. One time while attending to some mechanical incident during one of their naval operations in high seas he lost his left index finger. During the Indonesian occupation, Alexandre da Silva Tilman sent intelligence back to the guerrillas in Timor’s interior; as well as much needed supplies and medicines. Throughout this time of his activities as well as during his regular days he remained suspected by the Indonesian forces and their spies, was under constant surveillance, finally was denounced, accused, detained and tortured with electric shocks, sustaining contusions throughout his entire body, was kicked constantly with steel capped boots, beaten countless times until his ribs were fractured and he eventually became psychologically affected. He was placed in an isolated cell at the Comarca Prison in Balide, Dili, without contact with his family and limited interaction with other people. The cell had a hole which couldn’t even be called a latrine; it had minimal lighting; given minimal water, minimal food; and ventilation that was restricted. Alexandre da Silva Tilman was captured and imprisoned at a local shop building called Sang Tai Ho in Colmera, Dili on 25 February 1976 until 10 June 1978. Two days later (12 June 1978) he was again apprehended and reimprisoned at Comarca Prison in Balide, Dili until 17 August 1979. Again, he was captured and imprisoned at Comarca Prison in Balide, Dili on 10 June 1980 until 24 December 1982. Finally, he was recaptured and imprisoned at Comarca Prison in Balide, Dili on 27 December 1982 until 5 December 1982. Every time, after release from prison, he was required to personally appear before Indonesian military authorities on a regular basis - this continued for three to four years (requiring a minimum appearance before the Indonesians at least three times a week or at the Indonesians convenience, whether day or night or whenever they chose to torment him). As a result of the torture endured, Alexandre da Silva Tilman's health deteriorated, he had difficulties in walking; suffered hypertension; respiratory problems; sleeping difficulties; became more introverted; had a very short temperament (no patience), suspicious, little appetite, in the end he suffered a stroke that almost ended his life. Mention is also made of Alexandre da Silva Tilman in the August 1993 edition of Courier. See pages 12 to 14. Lest we forget.