Peter Epps

Francis enlisted on 24 May 1941 and was an original member of the unit, embarking aboard “ZEALANDIA” on 8 Dec 1941 for Timor as a Private in No 3 Section, “A” Platoon. 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 1st Australian Commando Training Battalion on 10 Oct 1943 and was discharged on 27 Jan 1945. He was entitled to the 1939-45 Star, Pacific Star, War Medal and Australian Service Medal 1939-45, pictured below.

David was an original member of the unit, embarking aboard “S.S. ZEALANDIA” on 8 Dec 1941 for Timor as a Private in No 3 Section, “A” Platoon. He was Killed in Action near BOBANARO during the Japanese August Push, on 12 Aug 1942 and is buried at Ambon War Cemetery, Plot 19. Row C. Grave 8. He is the brother of 2/2nd member, WX13510 Francis James. He was entitled to the 1939-45 Star, Pacific Star, War Medal and Australian Service Medal 1939-45, pictured below.

Norman enlisted on 28 May 1941 and was an original member of the unit, embarking aboard “ZEALANDIA” on 8 Dec 1941 for Timor as a Private in No 3 Section, “A” Platoon. After the campaign on Timor, he embarked with the unit, for Australia aboard the Royal Dutch destroyer “Tjerk Hiddes” on 16 Dec 1942. After leave and reorganization he embarked with the unit for New Guinea as a Trooper, possibly in No 2 Section, “A” Troop aboard “DUNTROON” on 17 Jun 1943 and was medevac'd to Australia aboard “TAROONA” on 22 Apr 1944. He was discharged on 20 Sept 1944. He was entitled to the 1939-45 Star, Pacific Star, War Medal and Australian Service Medal 1939-45, pictured below.

Kevin was an original member of the unit, embarking aboard “S.S. ZEALANDIA” on 8 Dec 1941 for Timor as a Signaller in Signals Section, Headquarters Group. 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 as an Instructor, to 1st Commando Training Squadron on 14 Apr 1943 and as an Instructor, 29th Australian Infantry Training Battalion on 27 Apr 1943 and then served with the Accounts Office, 21 Sept 1943. Kevin was promoted to Corporal on 14 Mar 1944 and Sergeant on 15 Sept 1945 and was discharged on 1 May 1946. He was entitled to the 1939-45 Star, Pacific Star, War Medal and Australian Service Medal 1939-45, pictured below.

John enlisted on 4 Jul 1940 and was posted to 2/40th Battalion. He embarked for Timor on 8 Dec 1941 and joined the 2/2nd on Timor as a Private from 2/40th Battalion, after the fall of Koepang, approx. March 1942. He was one of the former Koepang men, who moved to the village of Mape for intensive commando training and on 8 May 1942, they were formed into a new Platoon, “D” Platoon under the command of Lieutenant Turton and later under Lt Doig. 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 to 23rd Australian Garrison Battalion (POW) on 9 Jul 1943 and like all the men who served on Timor he suffered numerous medical episodes. He was discharged on 20 Nov 1945. He was entitled to the 1939-45 Star, Pacific Star, Defence Medal, War Medal and Australian Service Medal 1939-45, pictured below.

Donald was an original member of the unit, embarking aboard “S.S. ZEALANDIA” on 8 Dec 1941 for Timor as a Private in No 5 Section, “B” Platoon. After the campaign on Timor, he embarked with the unit, for Australia aboard the Royal Dutch destroyer “Tjerk Hiddes” on 16 Dec 1942. After leave and reorganization, he embarked with the unit for New Guinea aboard S.S. “DUNTROON” on 17 Jun 1943 as a Trooper in No 5 Section, “B” Troop 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 in No 5 Section, “B” Troop. He left the unit on 10 Dec 1945 and returned to Australia aboard “H.T.VITO” on 16 Jan 1946 and was discharged on 21 Mar 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".

John enlisted on 12 Jun 1940 and joined the unit on Timor as a Private from Sparrow Force Headquarters, 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 either 11 Dec 1942 or 16 Dec 1942, as the embarkation rolls do not differentiate. He was discharged on 1 Sept 1948. He has service number 346135 which generally denotes service post WW2.

Arthur (Tarzan) enlisted in Citizen Military Force (Reserve) on 12 Jul 1941 and was posted to 4th Army Troops, Royal Australian Engineers. He transferred to the A.I.F. on 21 Jul 1941 and was an original member of the unit, embarking aboard “S.S. ZEALANDIA” on 8 Dec 1941 for Timor as a Private in Headquarters of “A” Platoon. He was part of "H" Force, 2 Officers and eleven other ranks, which, in Jul 1942, was detailed to patrol the east end of Timor and protect the Northern Flank of the unit from a surprize attack from the Japanese and also to procure supplies from this productive area. He was Killed in Action on 12 Aug 1942 and is buried in Ambon War Cemetery, Ambon, Maluku, Indonesia. Plot 19. Row D. Grave 1. He was entitled to the 1939-45 Star, Pacific Star, War Medal and Australian Service Medal 1939-45, pictured below.

Richard enlisted on 7 Jun 1941 and was posted to 2/13th Field Regiment,Royal Australian Artillery. He embarked for the Middle East on 1 Sept 1941 and returned to Australia aboard "WEST POINT" on 1 Mar 1943. He was posted to1st Australian Commando Training Squadron on 1 Feb 1943 and joined the unit on 15 May 1943. After leave and reorganization, he embarked with the unit for New Guinea aboard S.S. “DUNTROON” on 17 Jun 1943 as a Trooper in No 3 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 with the Advance Party of the unit aboard “DUNTROON” on 2 Apr 1945 as a Trooper in No 3 Section, “A” Troop. He returned to Australia on 13 Dec 1945 and was discharged on 3 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".

Alex enlisted in Citizen Military Force (Reserve) on 31 Dec 1941 and posted to 15th Garrison Battalion. He transferred to the A.I.F. on 8 Aug 1942 and was posted to 1st Australian Commando Training squadron on 25 Feb 1943. After training he joined the unit on 15 May 1943 and embarked with the unit for New Guinea aboard S.S. “DUNTROON” on 17 Jun 1943 as a Trooper in No 6 Section, “B” Troop 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 in No 6 Section, “B” Troop. He transferred to 29/46th Infantry Battalion on 26 Dec 1945 and returned to Australia aboard “GEORGETOWN VICTORTY” on 4 Feb 1946. He was discharged on 16 Apr 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".

George enlisted in Citizen Military force (reserve) on 7 Aug 1940 and was posted to 8th Battalion. He transferred to the A.I.F. on 3 Oct 1941. He was a member of the First Reinforcements that arrive at Dili, Timor, aboard M.V. “Koolama”, on 22 Jan 1942, prior to the Japanese landing. He joined the unit as a Private. After the campaign on Timor, he embarked with the unit, for Australia aboard the Royal Dutch destroyer “Tjerk Hides” on 16 Dec 1942. He left the unit on 26 Apr 1943 and transferred to the following, 29th Australian Infantry Training Battalion on 28 Apr 1943, 1st Australian Service Training Battalion on 9 Oct 1943, 2/4th Advance Ordnance Stores Depot on 5 Jan 1944, Australian Amenities Store Company on 1 Mar 1944, 3 Advance Ammunition depot on 27 Oct 1944 and 3rd Australian Ordnance Depot on 9 Apr 1945. He was discharged on 16 Apr 1946. He was entitled to the 1939-45 Star, Pacific Star, War Medal and Australian Service Medal 1939-45, pictured below.

John (Jim "Bye Bye" was an original member of the unit, embarking aboard “S.S. ZEALANDIA” on 8 Dec 1941 for Timor as a Sapper in Engineers Section, Headquarters Group. After the campaign on Timor, he embarked with the unit, for Australia aboard the Royal Dutch destroyer “Tjerk Hiddes” on 11 Dec 1942. After leave and reorganization, he embarked with the unit for New Guinea aboard S.S. “DUNTROON” on 17 Jun 1943 as a Sapper in Engineers Section, Headquarters Group. He transferred to 2/6th Field Company Engineers on 29 Dec 1943 and then to 2/2nd Pioneer Battalion on 29 Jan 1944. John embarked for Australia aboard “KANIMBLA” on 8 Feb 1944 and transferred to 2nd Australian Beach Group on 25 Jul 1944. He embarked for MOROTAI aboard “SEA BARB” on 16 Mar 1945, embarked for TARAKAN on 22 Apr 1945, embarked for MOROTAI aboard Landing Ship Troops (LST) 562 on 18 May 1945, then embarked for BALIKPAPAN aboard LST on 21 Jun 1945. John transferred to 2/4th Field Company Engineers on 14 Nov 1945 and returned to Australia aboard LST 383 on 2 Dec 1945 and was discharged on 17 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".

Clarence enlisted on 27 May 1941 and was an original member of the unit, embarking aboard “ZEALANDIA” on 8 Dec 1941 for Timor as a Private in No 9 Section, “C” Platoon. He was Medevac'd from Timor by Catalina flying boat on 24 May 1942. Clarrie was transferred to 22nd Employment Company on 25 Jun 1943, 23rd Australian Garrison Battalion on 11 Aug 1943, 19th Australian Garrison Battalion on 28 Jan 1944, Australian Training Centre (Jungle Warfare) on 15 Jan 1945. He embarked for Moratai aboard "KAMIMBLA" on 2 May 1945 and joined 2/16th Infantry Battalion on 11 May 1945. He returned to Australia aboard "MORETON BAY" on 19 Dec 1945 and was discharged on 14 Jan 1946. Clarence was made a Life member of the Association in 1971. 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

Raymond (George) enlisted on 14 Jul 1941 and was an original member of the unit, embarking aboard “ZEALANDIA” on 8 Dec 1941 for Timor as a Private, in No 5 Section, “B” Platoon. 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 2/7th Infantry Battalion on 9 Jun 1943 and embarked for New Guinea with them aboard "CANBERRA" on 17 May 1943. He returned to Australia aboard "ETCLIN" on 25 Feb 1944. After leave, he embarked for Morotai with the 2/27th aboard "GENERAL ANDERSON" on 2 Jun 1945 and then embarked for Balikpapan aboard Landing Ship Troops 639 on21 Jun 1945. He was wounded at Balikpapan, Borneo on 1 Jul 1945 from a mortar shell and medevac'd to Morotai aboard "MANOORA". He returned to Australia aboard "GEORGETOWN VICTORY" on 4 Jan 1946 and was discharged on 21 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

Norman enlisted on 15 May 1942 and was posted to 1st Australian Commando Training Squadron on 22 Dec 1942. After training he embarked for New Guinea aboard “KATOOMBA” on 17 Feb 1943 and joined the unit as a Trooper on New Guinea on 25 Jun 1943 and served in No 5 Section, “B” Troop. He embarked for Australia aboard “KATOOMBA” on 6 Apr 1944 and returned to New Guinea aboard “TAROONA” on 23 Jun 1944 and re-joined the unit. He 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. Norm left the unit on 8 Oct 1945, returned to Australia on 18 Oct 1945 and was discharged on 29 Oct 1945. He was entitled to the 1939-45 Star, Pacific Star, War Medal and Australian Service Medal 1939-45, pictured below. He could now also entitled to the Australian Service Medal 1945-75 with a clasp "S.W.Pacific".

Gerard (Gerry) was a reinforcement officer joining the unit as a Lieutenant on New Guinea 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 Lieutenant, Officer Commanding, No 5 Section, “B” Troop. He was discharged on 3 Jan 1946. Gerry also has Service No 337567 which usually denotes post war service but his papers are not yet released.

William (Bill) served with the unit on New Guinea as a Signaller, in Signals Section, Headquarters Group but served mainly in “A” Troop 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 Signaller in Signals Section, Headquarters Group. He was discharged on 10 Sept 1946.

William had prior service with 24/39th Battalion when he enlisted in the A.I.F. on 13 Jun 1940 and was promoted Acting Corporal on 16 Aug 1940. He was posted 2/22nd Battalion on 29 Nov 1940 and revert to Private same day. He was promoted to Acting Corporal on 5 Mar 1941 and posted to Foster for commando training same day. He was an original member of the unit, appointed Lance Sergeant on 19 Aug 1941 and embarking aboard “ZEALANDIA” on 8 Dec 1941 for Timor as a Lance Sergeant, in Headquarters Group. 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 2/27th Australian Infantry Battalion and reverted to Private at his own request on 9 Jun 1943. He embarked for New Guinea aboard "DUNTROON" on 6 Aug 1943 with 2/27th. he was medevac'd to Australia aboard Hospital Ship "MANUNDA" on 5 Jan 1944. He re-joined the 2/27th on 22 Jun 1944. He was promoted Corporal on 16 Apr 1945 and transferred to Murchison P.O.W. Camp on 25 Apr 1945 He was discharged on 4 Apr 1946. He was entitled to the 1939-45 Star, Pacific Star, War Medal and Australian Service Medal 1939-45, pictured below

Herbert (Bert) enlisted on 4 Jan 1942 and was posted to 24th Battalion on 11 May 1942. He was posted to the Guerrilla Warfare Centre at Foster, Vict on 14 Oct 1942 and was transferred to 2/5th Independent Company and embarked for New Guinea as a Trooper in with them aboard “TAROONA” on 8 Dec 1942. He served with 2/5th until transferring to the 2/2nd as a Trooper in Headquarters Section, “B” Troop on 1 Jul 1943 and returned to Australia with them aboard “TAROONA” on 3 Sept 1944. After spending some time in hospital, he embarked for New Britain aboard “DUNTROON” on 2 May 1945 and re-joined the unit on 30 Jan 1945 as a Trooper. He attended an Army School of Education from 6 Aug – 5 Sept 1945 and qualified. He was promoted to Acting Sergeant on 28 Oct 1945 and Sergeant on 7 Jan 1946. Bert left the unit on 8 Jan 1946 and returned to Australia aboard “SALAMAUA” on 18 Jan 1946 and was discharged on 4 Feb 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 .

Lindsay (Shorty) enlisted in Citizens Military Force (Reserve) on 21 Jul 1941 and was posted to 29th Infantry Battalion on 16 Sept 1941, he transferred to the A.I.F. on 29 Jan 1943. He was posted to 1st Australian Commando Training Squadron on 23 Feb 1943 and after training,he joined the unit on 15 May 1943 and embarked with the unit for New Guinea aboard S.S. “DUNTROON” on 17 Jun 1943 as a Trooper in No 2 Section, "A" Troop 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 in No 2 Section, "A" Troop. He was evacuated to 2nd Field Ambulance and died of Meningitis on 9 Jul 1945 and was buried at Tol War Cemetery. After the war he was interred at RABAUL (BITA PAKA) WAR CEMETERY, Plot F. Row B. Grave 6. He was entitled to the 1939-45 Star, Pacific Star, War Medal and Australian Service Medal 1939-45, pictured below.

George enlisted on 14 Oct 1941 and was posted to 1st Armoured Training Regiment. He transferred to 2/11th Armoured Regiment on 22 Oct 1941 and attended 3rd Australian Corps Signals School 27 Jul 1943, qualifying on 11 Sept 1943. He transferred to 1st Australian Base Depot on 12 Jun 1944 and was posted to 16th Australian Infantry Training Battalion on 22 Jun 1944. George transferred to 1st Australian Commando Training Battalion on 6 Nov 1944 and then flew to New Guinea on 10 May 1945, where he embarked for New Britain aboard "SUVA" on 17 May 1945, joining the 2/2nd on 19 May 1945 as a Signaller. He was medevac'd by plane to New Guinea on 25 Aug 1945 and then to Australia by plane on 2 Sept 45 and was discharged on 20 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 in Citizen Military Force (Reserve) on 19 Apr 1942 and posted to 2nd Australian Motor Transport Regiment on 16 May 1942. He was transferred to 4th Australian Motor Transport Regiment on 13 Jul 1942, which became the 1st Australian Motor Transport Regiment on 25 Jul 1942. He transferred to the A.I.F. on 16 Sept 1942 and embarked for New Guinea aboard “CANBERRA” on 2 Feb 1943, he joined the unit as a Trooper on 25 Jun 1943. He was accidently wounded in the leg, on 5 Nov 1943, but remained on duty. He returned to Australia aboard “KATOOMBA” on 12 Apr 1944. John re-joined the unit on 30 May 1944 and embarked for New Britain aboard “TAROONA” on 9 Apr 1945 with the unit as a Trooper. He transferred to 29/46th Infantry Battalion on 28 Dec 1945 and returned to Australia aboard “WESTRALIA” on 2 May 1946. He was discharged on 14 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 "S.W.Pacific".

Roland enlisted in Citizen Military Force (Reserve) on 4 Jan 1941 and posted to Eastern Command Fortress Signals on 1 Jul 1941. He was appointed Lance Corporal on 22 Apr 1941 and transferred to the A.I.F on 17 Sept 1942. There appears to be a page of his service papers missing from Nov 1942 to Feb 1943. He embarked with the unit for New Guinea aboard S.S. “DUNTROON” on 17 Jun 1943 as a Trooper. He was Medevac to Australia aboard the 2/1st Australian Hospital Ship on 6 Jun 1944 and did not return to the unit. He served in Australia until he was discharged on 15 Apr 1946. He was entitled to the 1939-45 Star, Pacific Star, War Medal and Australian Service Medal 1939-45, pictured below.

Ronald enlisted and was posted to 75th Light Aid Detachment on 20 Aug 1941. He joined the unit on Timor as a Lance Corporal from 75th Light Aid Detachment, after the fall of Koepang, approx. March 1942. He was one of the former Koepang men, who moved to the village of Mape for intensive commando training and on 8 May 1942, they were formed into a new Platoon, “D” Platoon under the command of Lieutenant Turton and later under Lt Doig. After the campaign on Timor, he embarked with the unit, for Australia aboard the Royal Dutch destroyer “Tjerk Hiddes” on 16 Dec 1942. Ron transferred to 2nd M.T.T.D. (believed to be Motor Transport Training Depot) and became an Instructor. He was promoted to Acting Corporal on 17 Aug 1943 and was discharged on 24 Oct 1945. He was entitled to the 1939-45 Star, Pacific Star, War Medal and Australian Service Medal 1939-45, pictured below.

Thomas enlisted on 14 Jul 1941 and was posted to Guerrilla Warfare Centre at Foster, Vict on 26 Sept 1942. After training he joined the unit as a Signaller on 25 Dec 1942 at Larrimah, N.T. After leave and reorganization, he embarked with the unit for New Guinea aboard S.S. “DUNTROON” on 17 Jun 1943 as a Signaller in Signals Section, Headquarters Group 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 Signaller in Signals Section, Headquarters Group. Thomas left the unit on 7 Dec 1945 and returned to Australia on 13 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".