Peter Epps

Robert enlisted on 4 Nov 1939 and joined 2/5th Infantry Battalion, A.I.F. Promoted Temporary Sergeant on 6 Nov 1939 and Sergeant on 24 Dec 1939. He embarked from Melbourne with 2/5th Battalion for Palestine on 14 Apr 1940, arriving on 18 May 1940. He embarked for Greece on 9 Apr 1941 and returned to Middle East in May 1941. Promoted to Acting Warrant Officer 2nd Class on 4 Nov 1941. Embarked for Australia from Middle East on 10 Mar 194 and disembarked Melbourne on 4 Sept 1942. Appointed Lieutenant 26 Nov 1942. Transferred to H.Q. 2nd Aust Motor Brigade on 4 Feb 1943, then to Training Centre Jungle Warfare, 1st Commando Training Battalion, Canungra, Qld on 29 Mar 1943. Embarked from Townsville aboard "KATOOMBA" for Port Moresby on 11 Nov 1943 and joined the 2/2 on New Guinea. Robert returned to Australia with them aboard “TAROONA” on 3 Sept 1944. He transferred out of the unit on 2 Sept 1944. Robert was discharged on 4 May 1945. He was entitled to the 1939-45 Star, Africa Star, Pacific Star, War Medal and Australian Service Medal 1939-45, pictured below.

Edward enlisted on n13 Jul 1940, was promoted Sergeant on 21 Nov 1941 and was an original member of the unit, embarking aboard “S.S. ZEALANDIA” on 8 Dec 1941 for Timor as a Sergeant in "Q" Staff, 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 to 1st Australian Commando Training Battalion on 14 Apr 1943 then to 29th Australian Infantry Training Battalion on 27 Apr 1943. On the 15 Dec 1943, Edward transferred to W.A. Lines of Communication Returnee Depot and was discharged on 24 Jan 1944.

Les enlisted on 8 Aug 1940 into the Citizen Military Forces (Reserve) with Service No N12782 and was posted to 1st Field Company, Royal Australian Engineers. He was appointed Lance Corporal on 31 Oct 1940 and Acting Corporal on 30 Jun 1941. He reverted to the rank of Sapper on 24 Jul 1942 and transferred to the A.I.F. on 29 Jul 1942 and was posted to Headquarters, Royal Australian Engineers, MILNE FORCE on 8 Aug 1942. He embarked for MILNE BAY, New Guinea on 12 Aug 1942 and transferred to 24th Field Company, Royal Australian Engineers on 19 sept 1942, he was detached to "A" Company, 2/1st Pioneer Battalion on3 Jan 1943. He re-joined the 24th Field Company on 22 Apr 1943 and detached to 15th Australian Field Company from 16 May -28 may 1943. He transferred to the Unit on New Guinea on 25 Jun 1943 as a Sapper in the Engineers Section, Headquarters Group. He was Medevac to Australia aboard “KATOOMBA” on 27 Feb 1944. After medical treatment, he embarked for New Guinea aboard "TAROONA" on 19 Jun 1944 and re-joined the unit on 25 Jun 1944. He returned to Australia with them aboard TAROONA” on 8 Sept 1944. After leave and reorganization, he embarked for New Britain aboard “TAROONA” on 9 Apr 1945 with the unit as a Trooper in the Maintenance Section, Headquarters Group. He was appointed paid Lance Corporal on 29 Aug 1945 and transferred to 29/46th Infantry Battalion on 27 Dec 1945. He returned to Australia aboard "KATOOMBA" on 29 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".

James enlisted on 28 Jul 1942 and was posted to 2/1st Armoured Corps Ordnance Field Park. He transferred to 1st Australian Base Ordnance Depot on 27 Sept 1944 and embarked for New Guinea aboard “TAROONA” on 6 Dec 1944, then embarked for New Britain aboard "DUNTROON" on 7 May 1945 and joined the 2/2nd as a Trooper in No 4 Section, "B" Troop on 9 May 1945. He returned to Australia on 18 Oct 1945 and was discharged on 16 Sep 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.

John embarked with the unit as a Lance Corporal in the Signals Section of Headquarters Group for New Guinea aboard S.S. “DUNTROON” on 17 Jun 1943 and returned to Australia with them aboard “TAROONA” on 3 Sept 1944. He left the unit on return to Australia and was discharged on 19 Oct 1945.

Alan embarked with the unit for New Britain aboard “TAROONA” on 9 Apr 1945 with the unit as a Trooper. He was discharged on 20 Nov 1945. The WW2 Nominal Roll has a post WW2 Service No 58043.

On 3 Sept 1941, Athol enlisted in Citizen Military Force ( Reserves) and was posted to 7th Heavy Brigade and he embarked for Darwin aboard "KOOLANA" on 15 Nov 1941 and was posted to Darwin Fixed Defence same date. He transferred to the A.I.F. on 8 Jul 1942 and left Darwin for Western Command on 5 Jul 1943,then transferred to 104th Tank Attack Regiment on 1 Nov 1943. He served in numerous units before joining the unit on 31 Jan 1945 and embarked with the unit for New Britain aboard “TAROONA” on 9 Apr 1945 with the unit as a Trooper. He returned to Australia aboard "TAROONA" on 15 Sept 1945 and was discharged on 16 Apr 1946. He was entitled to the 1939-45 Star, Pacific Star, defence Medal, War Medal and Australian Service Medal 1939-45, pictured below.

William (AJAX) enlisted on 24 Dec 1941 and served with 2/32 Battalion from 6 Jan 1942 then transferred to 1st Battalion on 28 Mar 1942. He started training at 1st Australian Commando Training Battalion on 25 Feb 1943 and joined the unit on 15 May 1943 prior to embarking with the unit for New Guinea as a Trooper in No 1 Sect, “A” Troop aboard S.S. “DUNTROON” on 17 Jun 1943 and returned to Australia with them aboard “TAROONA” on 3 Sept 1944. William fractured his right hand accidently on 22 Feb 1945 and did not embark with the unit for New Britain. He embarked aboard "VAN OUTHOORN" on 16 may 1945 and re-joined the unit at Jacquinot Bay on 26 May 1945. He returned to Australia on 14 Aug 1945 and was discharged on 23 Nov 1945. He was entitled to the 1939-45 Star, Pacific Star, War Medal and Australian Service Medal 1939-45, pictured below.

Jack joined the unit on Timor from 2/1 Heavy Battery, Royal Australian Artillery, as a Bombardier 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 transferred to Coastal Artillery, Fremantle, W.A., 22 Mar 1943 then to 2nd Australian Field Artillery Training, 13 Apr 1945. On 17 Aug 1945 he transferred to 1st Australian Commando Training Squadron. According to the World War Two Nominal Roll he was discharged on 22 Jun 1971, with Service No 5110.

John enlisted on 28 may 1941 and was an original member of the unit, embarking aboard “S.S. ZEALANDIA” on 8 Dec 1941 for Timor as a Private in No 9 sect, “C” Platoon. He was wounded in action, Gun Shot Wound, left shoulder/elbow and medivacked to Australia on 19 Aug 1942. After extensive medical treatment, he discharged on 3 Mar 1944. He was entitled to the 1939-45 Star, Pacific Star, War Medal and Australian Service Medal 1939-45, pictured below.

Gordon enlisted in the Citizens Military Force (Reserve) on 18 Aug 1940 and was posted to 25th Light Horse Machine Gun Regiment. He transferred to the A.I.F. on 21 May 1941 and was an original member of the unit, embarking aboard “S.S. ZEALANDIA” on 8 Dec 1941 for Timor as a Private in No 3 Sect, “A” Platoon. He was medevac'd at “BETANO” for Darwin aboard the “KURU” on 25 Oct 1942. After medical treatment he was medically discharged on 25 Aug 1943. He was entitled to the 1939-45 Star, Pacific Star, War Medal and Australian Service Medal 1939-45, pictured below.

Ernest enlisted on 21 May 1941 and was an original member of the unit, embarking aboard “ZEALANDIA” on 8 Dec 1941 for Timor as a Private in Headquarters Group of “C” Platoon. He was medevac'd for Darwin aboard HMAS “KALGOORLIE” on 17 Sept 1942 as a Private. After medical treatment Ernest transferred to 51st Australian Water Transport Company on 16 Nov 1943. He was promoted Acting Corporal on 20 Jun 1944 and confirmed Corporal Acting Sergeant on 14 Sept 1944, confirmed Sergeant on 11 Dec 1944. He then transferred to 83rd Australian Water Transport Company on 23 Mar 1945, W.A. Fixed Defence on 19 Dec 1945, 83rd Ausralian Water Transport Company on 3 Jan 1946 and back to W.A. Fixed Defence on 11 Jan 1946. He was discharged on 20 Feb 1946. He was entitled to the 1939-45 Star, Pacific Star, War Medal and Australian Service Medal 1939-45, pictured below

William enlisted on 21 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 Sect, “A” Platoon. He is believed to be one of the defenders of the Dili Airstrip when the Japanese first landed. After the campaign on Timor, he embarked with the unit, for Australia aboard the Royal Dutch destroyer “Tjerk Hiddes” on 16 Dec 1942. After medical treatment, he embarked for New Guinea as a Trooper aboard "KATOOMBA" on 22 Nov 1943 and re-joined the 2/2nd in No 10 Sect, Headquarters Group, he 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 Trooper in No 4 Sect, “B” Troop. He transferred to 4th Survey battery on 29 Nov 1945 and returned to Australia aboard "KATOOMBA" on 16 Dec 1945. He 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

Leslie 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 his campaign on Timor he embarked at “BETANO” for Darwin aboard the “KURU” on 27 Sept 1942. He transferred out of the unit and served with 35th Australian Infantry Training Battalion, 19 Nov 1942, then 26th Employment Company, 17 Apr 1943, then Reinforcement Pool. 27 Mar 1944. He joined 2/16th Infantry Battalion on 22 Oct 1944 and embarked for MOROTAI aboard "GENERAL ANDERSON" on 2 Jun 1945 and then embarked for BALIKPAPAN aboard "MANOORA" on 21 Jun 1945. He was Medevac to Australia aboard "MANUNDA" on 1 Dec 1945 and was discharged on 4 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".

John (Jack) was an original member of the unit, embarking aboard “S.S. ZEALANDIA” on 8 Dec 1941 for Timor as a Private in No 6 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 the following 1st Aust Command Training Sqn at Canungra as an Instructor on 14 Apr 1943. 29th Aust Infantry Training Battalion, 27 Apr 1943. 18th Aust Infantry Training Battalion, 15 Jun 1943. 1st Aust Command Training Sqn, 11 Dec 1943. 2/12th Cavalry Commando Sqn, Borneo, 13 May 1944. He was discharged from the A.I.F. on 2 Apr 1946 and joined the Australian Army with Service No 52846. Jack was interviewed by American video journalist Rishi Sharma on February 18, 2020 about his life and WWII experiences. The interview (2 hr 47 min.) can be viewed here: