Peter Epps

Keith enlisted on 2 May 1941 and was an original member of the unit, embarking aboard “ZEALANDIA” on 8 Dec 1941 for Timor as a Private in 7 Section, "A" Platoon. On the morning 20 Feb 1942, most of 7 Section were going into Dili for R & R aboard the ration truck, not realising the Japs had landed during the night, they were ambushed and captured. Keith was a survivor of the ration truck massacre being both shot and bayoneted in the neck, and left for dead. He was found by some Timorese and taken to a village where he was treated by a Timorese lady, Donnabella Martins. The unit was informed he was still alive and he was collected by members of the unit and placed in the very capable hands of Dr Dunkley and his medical team. Once contact had been made with Australia, Keith was evacuated to Darwin from "SUAI" aboard "KURU" on 17 Jul 1942. After hospitalisation Keith joined 2/11th Infantry Battalion, A.I.F. on 21 Jun 1943 and attended 19th Brigade NCO School from 11 Jun to 8 Jul 1944. He was appointed Paid Lance Corporal on 15 Jul 1944 and embarked for New Guinea aboard "KATOOMBA" on 5 Nov 1944. He returned by plane to Australia on 1 May 1945. He attended Land Head Quarters School of Military Intelligence Course No 22, "B" Wing from 7 May to 16 Jun 1945 and qualified. He was promoted Corporal on 18 Jan 1946, Lance Sergeant on 21 Jan 1946 and Acting Sergeant on 11 Mar 1946. Keith was discharged on 28 Aug 1946. He was entitled to the 1939-45 Star, Pacific Star, War Medal and Australian Service Medal 1939-45, pictured below. Keith was made a Life Member of the Unit in 1988 and awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) 2007. Government expresses condolences for the death of Keith Hayes.pdf

William was an original member of the unit, embarking aboard “S.S. ZEALANDIA” on 8 Dec 1941 for Timor as a Sapper in Engineer 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 to 1st Aust Commando Training Squadron as an Instructor, 14 Apr 1943, then 29th Aust Infantry Training Battalion, 27 Apr 1943, as an Instructor, then 1st Aust Service Training Battalion, 29 May 1943. He was appointed Lance Corporal on 17 Jul 1943, then paid Lance Corporal on 20 Aug 1943 and Acting Corporal 1 Oct 1943.Transferred to Headquarters Section, 15th Australian Infantry Training Battalion, 29 Nov 1943 and 32nd Australian Infantry Training Battalion, 25 May 1944. He was discharged on 18 Oct 1944. William was made a Life Member of the Association in 2002. He was entitled to the 1939-45 Star, Pacific Star, War Medal and Australian Service Medal 1939-45, pictured below.

Herbert was an original member of the unit, embarking aboard “ZEALANDIA” on 8 Dec 1941 for Timor as a Private in No 8 Section, “C” Platoon. We have an embarkation sheet stating he embarked for Darwin aboard “KURU” on 17 Sept 1942, but his service papers have "HMAS KALGOORLIE", same date. After hospitalization and numerous other postings, he transferred to 1st Australian Commando Training Battalion on 29 May 1943 and was discharged on 1 Nov 1944. He was entitled to the 1939-45 Star, Pacific Star, War Medal and Australian Service Medal 1939-45, pictured below.

Edmund served in various Signals units prior to joining the 33rd line Section Royal Australian Signals Corps. He embarked for New Britain aboard "TAROONA" on 9 Apr 1945 and joined the unit at Jacquinot Bay, New Britain, on 27 Jun 1945. He served with the unit as a Trooper in No 7 section, “C” Troop. Edmund was a member of the ‘Long Patrol’ of July 1945. A 10 day patrol which became 24 days of physical exhaustion. He transferred to 3rd Operating Section on 26 Dec 1945 and was discharged on 15 May 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".

Hubert enlisted into the Australian Military Forces, (Militia) on 16 Feb 1939 with Service No 93542 and was poster to 16th Field Ambulance, Australian Army Medical Corps (AAMC). He was appointed Lance Corporal on 16 Oct 1940. He transferred to 2nd Cavalry Field Hygiene Section (2CFHS) on 10 Jan 1941. He was promoted Corporal on 4 Sept 1941, was posted to 8th Light Horse on 29 Sept 1941 and was called up for full time service on 7 Nov 1941, then transferred to 3rd CFHS on 30 Nov 1941. Hubert had special training at Geelong and Heidelberg Hospitals in both the Casualty and Theatre Sections. He attended Sydney University’s Army Tropical Medical School and was promoted to Acting Sergeant on 14 Mar 1942. He transferred to 26th Australian Motor Regiment on 8 Oct 1942. He enlisted into the AIF on 3 Nov 1942 with Service No VX115800, still serving with 26th Australian Motor Regiment. Hubert was Australian Army Medical Corps instructor for 1st Armoured Division at Moora, W.A. He joined the 2/2nd on 21 Dec 1944 and embarked with them for New Britain aboard “TAROONA” on 9 Apr 1945 as the Medical Sergeant in the Headquarters Group. When the unit was disbanded, he returned to Australia on 6 Mar 1946 and was discharged on 2 Jul 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 "PNG"

Frederick enlisted in the Citizen Military Forces (Reserve) on 10 Sept 1940 with Service No V43027 and was called up for full time service on 31 Oct 1941. He was posted to 57/60th Infantry Battalion and was appointed Lance Corporal on 26 Dec 1941. He transferred to the A.I.F. on 22 Sept 1942 and reverted to Private at his own request on 26 Dec 1942 . He transferred to 1st Australian Commando Training Battalion on 26 Feb 1943, then joined the 2/2nd at Canungra, Qld on 25 May 1943. Fred embarked with the unit for New Guinea aboard “DUNTROON” on 17 Jun 1943 as a Trooper in No 6 Sect, “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 Sect, “B” Troop. He transferred to 29/46th Infantry Battalion on 27 Dec 1945 and returned to Australia on 29 Jan 1946. He was discharged 28 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 "PNG"

Leith enlisted in Citizen Military Force (Reserves) on 16 Dec 1940 and was posted to 10th Infantry Training Battalion on 16 Feb 1942. He transferred to the A.I.F. on 15 Sept 1942 and posted to 1st Australian Commando Training Squadron on 25 Feb 1943. He reverted to Private at his own request and joined the unit on 15 May 1943. He embarked with the unit for New Guinea as a Trooper in No 8 Section, “C” Troop aboard S.S. “DUNTROON” on 17 Jun 1943. He was appointed paid Lance Corporal on 1 Jul 1943 and transferred to New Guinea Infantry Battalion on 1 May 1944, he was promoted to Sergeant 20 May 1944 and then to Warrant Officer Class II on 3 Oct 1944. Emplaned from NADZAD and deplaned at Townsville Qld on 6 Oct 1944. He transferred to Intelligence Corps and served last 6 months of the war with Military History Section of the Army. Leith was discharged on 24 Dec 1945. He was entitled to the 1939-45 Star, Pacific Star, War Medal and Australian Service Medal 1939-45, pictured below.

Roy enlisted on 7 Sept 1942 and was posted to 1st Australian Commando Training Battalion on 1 Mar 1943 and joined the 2/2nd at Canungra, Qld on 15 may 1943. He embarked with the unit for New Guinea as a Trooper in No 6 Sect, “B” Troop aboard “DUNTROON” on 17 Jun 1943 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 Sect, “B” Troop. He transferred to 37/52nd Infantry Battalion on 27 Dec 1945 and returned to Australia aboard "WESTRALIA" on 2 May 1946. He was discharged on 18 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

Horace enlisted on 24 Aug 1942, was posted to 1st Australian Commando Training Battalion on 8 Apr 1943 and joined the 2/2nd on 15 May 1943. He embarked with the unit for New Guinea aboard “DUNTROON” on 17 Jun 1943 as a Trooper. He was medevac'd to Australia on 20 Oct 1944 and was discharged on 15 Jun 1945. He was entitled to the 1939-45 Star, Pacific Star, War Medal and Australian Service Medal 1939-45, pictured below.