Edward Willis

The East Timor natives.pdfCovering letter.pdf

CAPTAIN ROGER ‘DOC’ DUNKLEY, THE 2/2’s LEGENDARY MEDICAL OFFICER DURING THE TIMOR CAMPAIGN

Captain Roger ‘Doc’ Dunkley – probably at the Tidal River training camp 1941 [1]

Back in 2001 Jack Carey wrote in the ‘Courier’:

‘On the eve of the 60th anniversary of the formation of the unit in July 1941, we thought it would be fitting to pay a small tribute to our first Medical Officer Captain Rodger ‘Doc’ Dunkley.  His youngest son Stuart (Pip) Dunkley has kindly provided the following short biography on his father’. [2]

CHARLES RODGER DUNKLEY 1899-1969

Charles Rodger Dunkley (hereafter called Rodger) was born in South Melbourne 5 October 1899, the son of Charles Alfred Dunkley and Jane Rodger Dunkley.

At an early age his father, who was a ships officer, was drowned whilst attempting to save a swimmer in difficulties at a suburban Melbourne beach.  This unfortunate incident left Jane a widow, with 2 children, Rodger and his younger brother Alfred.

In search of a more secure future for her children Jane left Rodger and Alfred in the care of her family relations and moved to Western Australia where she gained employment as a nursing assistant in the Goldfields town of Leonora.  It was during this time that she met and subsequently married a pharmaceutical chemist by the name of Frank Ernest Gibson, later to become Sir Frank Gibson, Mayor of the City of Fremantle and Member of the West Australian Legislative Council.

In about 1911, Jane sent for her children and it was Rodger, aged 11, who responsibly brought Alfred to Kalgoorlie on the Trans-Australia train to be reunited with their mother and to meet their soon to be step-father, Frank Gibson.

The journey across the continent was, no doubt, a dark frightening experience for this young boy but he accepted responsibility then as he accepted it for the remainder of his life.

The new family located to Fremantle and Rodger was educated at the Perth Modern School.  He completed his schooling at the end of the school year of 1915, and it was in 1916 that he volunteered for service with the Australian Imperial Force.  After his basic training he was posted to 28th Battalion, a WA unit and saw active service in France.  In 1918 Rodger succumbed to the Spanish Flu epidemic and spent almost 12 months recuperating in various Australian general hospitals, including some months in Italy.  A legacy of this illness was the weak chest and associated respiratory problems that accompanied him on the remainder of his journey through life.

On his return to Australia he was accepted by the University of Melbourne as an Undergraduate in the Faculty of Medicine and for the next 6 years he studied hard.  During this time he lived at the University of Melbourne’s “Ormond” College.  Upon graduation, Rodger returned to Western Australia and was granted an internship at Fremantle Hospital.

It was during this time that he met Jessie Mary Mackay, a resident of Fremantle.  They were married in 1928 and settled in Ellen Street Fremantle.  They had 2 sons, Ross born in 1931 and Stuart (Pip) in 1934.

Rodger conducted a busy practice up to 1940 when he again, answered the call and in due course, became the inaugural Medical Officer of the 2nd Australian Independent Company and accompanied that unit to Timor.  Your members will know more of his exploits there than I do; suffice to say that he accepted the responsibility of his commission honourably and with the compassion of his calling.

On the units return to Australia, Rodger departed the ranks of 2/2nd and for the remainder of the war years he was engaged in duties pertaining to service with the Royal Australian Medical Corps.  This included active service in Borneo, where he was stationed at the time of the Japanese capitulation.

After “de-mob” he returned to his Fremantle practice from which he retired in 1964.  Until the time of his death Rodger was the District Officer for the Western Australian Police Service and was also Area Medical Officer for the Army.

In 1968 he and Jess sold the family home in Fremantle and built a new house in Swanbourne.  He was able to continue his passion for gardening and in particular, roses, at this abode until his death on 14 May 1969 aged 69 years.

Rodger Dunkley was a humble man.  He was a good role model to all; honourable, loyal, sincere and his integrity could not be questioned.  He was his own man but fair to all others.  He could not tolerate “bludgers” or “free loaders” and, at times, appeared to be intolerant of others.  However, if you were “down and out” and it looked like the end of the road, Rodger Dunkley was there for you with a kind word and a helping hand.  His compassion was boundless.

Pip Dunkley

Jack complemented Pip’s biographical note with a following article summarising ‘Doc’ Dunkley’s outstanding contribution during the Timor campaign: [3]

“The ‘Doc’ as he was affectionately known, was the unit’s Medical Officer (M.O) from its formation in July 1941 to December 1942.  He did an outstanding job throughout the difficult and hazardous Timor campaign in 1942. He soon made it clear to the men to whom he was responsible, that he would stand no nonsense.

If a man was genuinely sick the Doc and his orderlies would do all that they could for the soldier, but woe betide anyone who tried to put one over.  The ‘Doc’, a World War 1 veteran, would give the malingerer a nice old tongue lashing, and send him on his way.  They seldom tried it again. 

The Doc was really put to the test early in 1942 when 90% of the men went down with malaria in the course of a few weeks.  The Doc and his staff worked around the clock in makeshift wards, caring for the men day in and day out until they were back on their feet again.  The subsequent decision on his recommendation, to move the men away from the mosquito infested drome area to the nearby mountains, had the effect of getting the troops back in fighting shape.

This was to eventually enable the 2/2nd men to carry out a successful campaign against the Japs after they occupied Dili on 20th February 1942.

The Doc was forced to make a number of moves so he could carry on his good work, restoring the health of the sick, attending the wounded and those with serious tropical diseases, Railaco, Same and Ainaro were some of these places.  Ainaro eventually became his main base.  Up until the end of April, medical supplies were limited, but once contact was made with the mainland things began to improve.

Pip (son of Dr Roger Dunkley) and Barb Dunkley in front of the current Ainaro Hospital that stands on the site of the old Portuguese era hospital – 27 April 2014

Those survivors of the campaign will remember the great care and attention he gave Alan Hollow, Keith Hayes, Gerry Maley, Eddie Craighill, and others, who were badly wounded and seriously ill.  The Doc, who painted his back with iodine and nursed him back to health, saved Colin Doig who was at deaths door when the natives carried him in with double pneumonia.

Those with ulcers always grimaced when the Doc used to scrape out the pus and poison with a spoon. Ulcers turn very nasty in the tropics.  God knows how many men the Doc and his orderlies treated in those hectic 12 months, but to his credit Rodger Dunkley never wavered, he did a mighty job.

Don Turton likes to tell the story that when he and the Doc set out with a small escort to rescue Gerry Maley, who was wounded and was being cared for by the natives in a hut, in a Jap area, they sighted a number of Japs swimming in a pool some distance away, “let’s do them over” said the Doc.  Don had to talk him out of his suggestion, saying it could jeopardise the chance of rescuing Gerry.  The Doc reluctantly agreed and Gerry was duly rescued.

[4]

Why Rodger Dunkley’s outstanding contribution on Timor went unrecognised is a sore point with all those who served in that campaign and were aware of the great work he had done there.  If ever a man was entitled to a Distinguished Service Order it was he.

It was a great injustice.  Maybe it was because of the change of command during the campaign, firstly Alec Spence then Bernie Callinan and finally Geoff Laidlaw.  It was an oversight on someone’s part that no commendation for a higher award was ever made, apart from a M.I.D.  These things happen in the army.  Not that it would have upset the Doc, he was not an honour seeking man, and his main concern was always for the men under his care.  We could not have had a better man for our M.O.

 

[5]

The orderlies, who assisted Rodger during his time with us in Cliff Paff, Alan Luby, Fred Sparkman, Alec Wares, and Boy Coates, also deserve a special mention.

Jack Carey

REFERENCES

[1] https://doublereds.org.au/history/men-of-the-22/wx/charles-rodger-dunkley-r96/

[2] Stuart (Pip) Dunkley ‘Roger Dunkley M.O.’ Courier 137 June 2001: 15-16.  https://doublereds.org.au/couriers/2001/Courier%20June%202001.pdf

[3] Jack Carey ‘Roger Dunkley M.O.’ Courier 137 June 2001: 16-17.  https://doublereds.org.au/couriers/2001/Courier%20June%202001.pdf

[4] https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/R1579678

[5] https://museum.wa.gov.au/debt-of-honour/dunkley-s-mobile-hospital

ADDITIONAL READING

Dunkley Charles Roger : SERN 52043 : POB Port Melbourne VIC : POE Perth WA : NOK M Gibson Jean Roger. - NAA: B2455, DUNKLEY C R. - https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetrieve/Interface/DetailsReports/ItemDetail.aspx?Barcode=3527236&isAv=N

Dunkley Charles Rodger : Service Number - WX11064 : Date of birth - 05 Oct 1899 : Place of birth - MELBOURNE VIC : Place of enlistment - PERTH WA : Next of Kin - DUNKLEY JESSIE. - NAA: B883, WX11064. - https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetrieve/Interface/DetailsReports/ItemDetail.aspx?Barcode=6455585&isAv=N

Hal G.P. Colebatch ‘Dr Roger Dunkley, forgotten hero of World War II’ News Weekly 2945 April 2015 :17-18.  https://search.informit.org/doi/abs/10.3316/ielapa.125515824810966

‘Vale Doctor Roger Dunkley’ Courier 23 (215) June 1969: 3.  https://doublereds.org.au/couriers/1969/Courier%20June%201969.pdf

 

CAPTAIN REGINALD CLAYDON NEAVE’S SERVICE ON TIMOR

SERVICE RECORD

NEAVE REGINALD CLAYDON : Service Number - NX70843 : Date of birth - 01 Nov 1907 : Place of birth - NORTHWOOD NSW : Place of enlistment - NSW : Next of Kin - NEAVE BARBARA - NAA: B883, NX70843 -  https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetrieve/Interface/DetailsReports/ItemDetail.aspx?Barcode=4640795&isAv=N

Light Aid Detachments (LAD) were small elements of Workshop units, comprising one officer and 20-30 enlisted personnel who provided 2nd Line repair and recovery support to forward units in a formation (Brigade).  They augmented the repair and recovery resources (referred to as '1st Line') within the units of the Brigade.

The LAD would comprise a number of specialist trades determined by the nature of the Brigade unit's principal equipment (particularly numbers and types of vehicles and armaments).

Reference: https://vwma.org.au/explore/units/3428

75th Light Aid Detachment was a support unit for Sparrow Force, to service and repair firearms and equipment.  Members of the Australian Army Ordnance Corps, they wore the same colour patch as Lines of Communications personnel.  Some rolls list some of these men as being Electrical and Mechanical Engineers however they were AAOC members.

At Darwin, the 104th LAD was originally to accompany Sparrow Force to Timor however their rifle shooting was not up to standard and they were taken to the rifle range with 2/40th instructors to improve their shooting over a period of weeks.  This would not seem to have improved their marksmanship sufficiently because in November 1941, the 75 LAD was attached to Sparrow Force and eventually accompanied them to Dutch West Timor on the HMAS Westralia.

Initially the 75th LAD was stationed at Penfui near the airstrip but after a rear supply depot was established at Babaoe for transport, maintenance, fuel reserves and a first aid dressing station, the Ordnance Corps men were moved to Babaoe on 9th January 1942.  D Company of the 2/40th was stationed there as a mobile reserve from 7th January 1942.

75 LAD Personnel - Captain Reginald C. Neave - Officer in Command, L/Cpl. Leslie V. Osborne plus privates Esson, Cusack, Herd, Hullick, Leviston, McKenzie, Robertson and Trengove.  One officer and 9 other ranks, plus two men listed as AAOC on the 2/40th nominal rolls (craftsman Dean & Pte. Mears) so these were likely unit armourers.  Both have NX prefix regimental numbers so they were not from Tasmania or Victoria, likely seconded in Darwin before Sparrow Force left for Timor.

The 75th LAD contingent was not captured at Airkom (Irekum) on 23rd like most of Sparrow Force, but they were at Champlong with the new HQ group there.  So they joined up with the 2nd Independent Company (Commando) in Portuguese Timor and eventually returned to Australia.  The two AAOC men Dean and Mears returned to Australia early, likely with the Brigadier Veale group.

There was only one casualty of the 75th LAD on West Timor, Pte. John Esson, missing and believed killed in action on 20th Feb. 1942.  As the ordnance men were stationed at rear depot at Babaoe which was attacked and captured by the SNLF paratroops on 20th, it is likely that Esson was killed in that vicinity.  Some hastily organised patrols of cooks and rear echelon personnel were hastily assembled to meet the paratroops coming from the rear.  A number of these men were killed before the 2/40th infantry companies retook Babaoe.

Reference: http://www.sparrowforce.com/75LAD.htm

75 Light Aid Detachment AEME – late 1941-early 1942 – location and individuals unidentified (https://hdl.handle.net/10070/848202)

RON TRENGOVE MEMOIR

Private Ronald (Ron) Claude Trengove (NX42322) was a member of the 75th Light Aid Detachment and wrote a lengthy memoir covering the period 10 December 1941 – 4 March 1942 during which time he was in close company with Captain Reginald Neave who is referred to frequently.  See:

1.	"My early days on Timor" by NX42322, R. Trengrove, 75 L.A.D., later 2/2nd Ind. Coy. 2/2 Commando Courier v.21 no. 200 May 1967: 7-11.
2.	"My early days on Timor" by NX42322, R. Trengrove, 75 L.A.D., later 2/2nd Ind. Coy. 2/2 Commando Courier v.22 no. 201 July 1967: 7-12.
3.	"My early days on Timor" by NX42322, R. Trengrove, 75 L.A.D., later 2/2nd Ind. Coy. 2/2 Commando Courier v.22 no. 202 August 1967: 5-7.
4.	"My early days on Timor" by NX42322, R. Trengrove, 75 L.A.D., later 2/2nd Ind. Coy. 2/2 Commando Courier v.22 no. 203 September 1967: 3-7.
5.	"My early days on Timor" by NX42322, R. Trengrove, 75 L.A.D., later 2/2nd Ind. Coy. 2/2 Commando Courier v.22 no. 204 October 1967: 15-16.
6.	"My early days on Timor" by NX42322, R. Trengrove, 75 L.A.D., later 2/2nd Ind. Coy. 2/2 Commando Courier v.22 no. 205 November 1967: 6-10.

A full transcript of Trengove’s memoir is available.

Trengrove - my early days.pdf

REGINALD NEAVE DIARY

Captain Reginald Neave kept a comprehensive daily diary covering the period 15 February  – 9 August 1942 – the diary is held in the Australian War Memorial collection:

Neave, Reginald Claydon (Captain, b.1907 - d.1958). – Diary 15 February 1942 – 9 August 1942. – Australian War Memorial Private Record PR85/023

Reference: https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/C88477

A full transcript of Neave’s memoir is available.

Neave diaries transcripts - working version.pdf

The following maps identify the locations in Dutch Timor and Portuguese Timor referred to by Neave in his diary:

References:

Area study of Portuguese Timor / Allied Geographical Section, South West Pacific Area. - [Brisbane] : The Section, 1943. – (Terrain study (Allied Forces. South West Pacific Area. Allied Geographical Section) ; no. 50.): map 1. https://repository.monash.edu/items/show/26455#?c=0&m=0&s=0&cv=0

Area study of Dutch Timor, Netherlands East Indies / Allied Geographical Section, South West Pacific Area. - [Brisbane] : The Section, 1943. – (Terrain study (Allied Forces. South West Pacific Area. Allied Geographical Section) ; no. 70): map 1. https://repository.monash.edu/items/show/26287#?c=0&m=0&s=0&cv=0

RECOVERY MISSION TO DOWNED KITTYHAWK FIGHTERS, 15 – 19 FEBRUARY 1942

Neave covers the mission he lead to recover weapons, ammunition and other equipment and components from the Kittyhawk fighters that crash landed near Atamboea in his diary entries for the period 15 – 19 February 1942.  Trengrove also recounted the mission in his memoir – see transcript pp.11-15.

The following references provide background on how the Kittyhawk fighters crash landed in that location.

References:

William H. Bartsch. - Every day a nightmare: American pursuit pilots in the defense of Java, 1941-1942. - College Station: Texas A&M University Press, 2010: 156-159.

Walter D. Edmonds. - They fought with what they had: the story of the Army Air Forces in the Southwest Pacific, 1941-1942. – Boston: Little, Brown and Company, 1951: 324-325. https://archive.org/details/TheyFoughtWithWhatTheyHad

REPORT ON RECONNAISSANCE OF EAST PORTUGUESE TIMOR BY CAPT. R.C. NEAVE

2 MAY – 4 JULY

Neave prepared a comprehensive report on the reconnaissance mission to the eastern provinces of Portuguese Timor that is described in his diary entries for the period 4 May – 4 July 1942.  A transcript of his report is available.

Neave recon report.pdf

Reference:

Report on reconnaissance of East Portuguese Timor by Capt. R.C.N. Neave, 2 May - 4 July - AWM 54 571/4/34, PR 00249.233-.247 (item 97) – copy in possession of the author.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR RECCE OF SOUTH COAST PORTUGUESE TIMOR, JULY 1942

These instructions were issued on 16 July 1942 by Major T. Cape for the reconnaissance mission completed by Neave described in his diary entries for the period 16 – 31 July 1942.  A transcript of these instructions follows:

Instructions for recce of south coast PT - SF -15:7:42.pdf

Reference:

Sparrow Force instructions for recce of South Coast Port. Timor / Major Cape, 16 July 1942 - copy in possession of the author.

MISSION TO ACQUIRE RUBBER FROM PORTUGUESE TIMOR, 17 NOVEMBER – 17 DECEMBER 1942

The Services Reconnaissance Department report on the LIZARD III operation records:

… 

(xi) In response to repeated requests from Capt. BROADHURST to S.O. H.Q. in MELBOURNE three further officers and another signaller …. were made available and sent to DARWIN from where they were introduced by M.L. * on 17/11/42 with a further supply of arms. …

(xii) In addition to LIZARD reinforcements, there were introduced at the same time:

Both ex-SPARROW Force, and at that time employed by G.H.Q. under Col. ELLIOTT, U.S. Army.

They were charged with the duty of attempting to purchase and export from TIMOR as much rubber as could be obtained.

With LIZARD’s assistance they were able to purchase approximately 4 tons of this commodity, which was shipped back to AUSTRALIA accompanied by NEAVE and ROSS on 19/11/42 [sic]. **….

The LIZARD III report also includes a subsidiary report prepared by Neave: “Statement By Captain R.C. Neave Concerning Eastern Timor From Which He Has Recently Returned” – see the attached transcription.

Statement by Captain R.C. Neave concerning Eastern Timor .....pdf

Note:

* The group were actually inserted by the corvette H.M.A.S. Kalgoorlie – see log entries for 16-19 November 1942 in AWM78 -Reports of Proceedings, HMA Ships and Establishments HMAS KALGOORLIE (I) - AWM78 179/1 - April 1942 - May 1946 https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/C1420214

** Actually 19 December 1942.  Neave and Ross and the rubber consignment were extracted from Aliambata on the Dutch destroyer H.M.N.S. Tjerk Hiddes along with a large group of Portuguese refugees.  “OBJECT 2. To take in about 41/2 tons of stores and to evacuate from ALIAMBATA … about 283 persons including 75 Portuguese men, 58 women and 130 children and 20 Native women and children.  Also to embark about 33/4tons of rubber if it is available and time permits”.  See H.M.N.S. Tjerk Hiddes Darwin Operation Order No. 23, 17 December 1942 – copy in author’s possession.

References:

Cleary, Paul. - The men who came out of the ground: a gripping account of Australia’s first commando campaign, Timor 1942. – Sydney: Hachette Australia, 2010: 195-196.

“Moving rubber under the very noses of the Japanese” in El Tigre : Frank Holland, M.B.E. - commando, coastwatcher / [editor: Peter Stone, with Mabel Holland & John Holland]. - Yarram, Vic. : Oceans Enterprises, 1999: 96-101, 102.  See the attached transcription.

Moving rubber under the very noses of the Japanese - El Tigre - Frank Holland MBE - rescan.pdf

[Tanimbar, Timor, Lesser Sunda, Java -] LIZARD, copy I [Timor] - NAA: A3269, D6/A - https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetrieve/Interface/DetailsReports/ItemDetail.aspx?Barcode=235186&isAv=N

RECOGNITION FOR TIMOR SERVICE

Mention in Despatches (M.I.D.)

Reference:

https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/R1576797

Service Commendation Card

BLAMEY PRAISES TIMOR "SPARROWS"

The Commander-in-Chief of the Allied Land Forces (General Sir Thomas Blarney) this week sent service commendation cards to 10 of the A.I.F. "Sparrows of Timor".

The most surprised "sparrow" was Captain Reginald Clayton Neave, of Garnet Crescent; Killara, who said yesterday: "I'm sure there are plenty of chaps who deserved this more than me.  Still, it's a darned nice souvenir."

The service commendation cards are the equivalent of a "mention in despatches".  Captain Neave's card reacts: "Your name has been brought to my notice for services rendered in Timor from March 9 to May 25,1942.  I congratulate you on your devotion to duty, and thank you for the example you have given.  I have directed that a note of your conduct should be made on your record of service."

Special Duty at Timor

Captain Neave, who is on sick leave, told a Sunday Telegraph reporter that the "Sparrows" had been sent to Timor on special duty.  "There was nothing specifically significant in the title 'sparrows' as different units carried bird names, but I must confess the Japs kept us hopping, like sparrows", he said.  "I always suspected that the natives did a bit of reconnaissance work themselves.  "Whenever I turned, up at a village they, had a meal ready, and never seemed the least surprised at my sudden appearance."  Captain Neave praised the Portuguese for sending secret supplies of food to the Australian patrols.

Reference:

Daily Telegraph (Sydney, NSW), Sunday 27 September 1942: 32 - https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/247887016/27296294#

ADDITIONAL READING

Wigmore, Lionel. - The Japanese thrust. - Canberra: Australian War Memorial, 1957.  Ch. 21 ‘Resistance in Timor’: 491-492 (Australia in the war of 1939-1945. Series 1, Army; v. 4)

Wray, Christopher C.H. - Timor 1942 : Australian commandos at war with the Japanese. - Hawthorn, Vic. : Hutchinson Australia, 1987 – “Every man for himself”: 78-89.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Neave diaries transcripts - working version.pdf

Hi Tanya: Thank you for making contact -- please see post on the 2/2 Commando Association's Facebook page about Harry: https://www.facebook.com/2nd2nddoublereds

Regards

Ed Willis, President