Peter Epps

Harold enlisted in Citizen Military Force (Reserves) on 19 Jan 1942 and was posted to 13th light Horse regiment on 12 Feb 1942. He transferred to the A.I.F. on 24 Aug 1942 and was posted to 1st Australian Commando Training Squadron on 14 Dec 1942. He embarked for New Guinea aboard “KATOOMBA” on 17 Apr 1943 as a Trooper and joined the unit on 25 Jun 1943, 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. Harold transferred to 29th/46th Infantry Battalion on 27 Dec 1945 and returned to Australia on 18 Mar 1946. He was discharged on 16 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".

William enlisted in the Citizens Military Forces (Reserves) with Service No V220173 on 20 Dec 1941 and was posted to 26th Machine Gun Regiment on 26 Jan 1942, then transferred to 4th Light Horse Regiment on 11 Feb 1942, He transferred to the A.I.F. on 12 Aug 1942 and was posted to 1st Australian Commando Training Battalion on 25 Feb 1943. He joined the 2/2nd on 15 May 1943 and embarked with the unit for New Guinea as a Trooper in No 1 Sect, “A” 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 1 Sect, “A” Troop. He returned to Australia aboard "SALAMAUA" on 18 Jan 1946 and was discharged on 6 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

Thomas enlisted in to the Reserve on 2 Jul 1941 and was posted to 5th Works and Parks Company, Royal Australian Engineers (RAE) on 19 Jul 1941 as a Draftsman. On 30 Jan 1942 he was transferred to RAE Headquarters and detached to 20th Army Field Company, RAE on 29 Mar 1942. He returned to HQ, RAE on 9 Apr 1942 and entrained for 5th Military District (Western Australia) on 17 Apr 1942. Whilst in WA he transferred to the A.I.F. on 5 Mar 1942 and transferred to 1st Australian Commando Training Battalion at Canungra, Qld on 25 Feb 1943. He joined the unit on 15 May 1943 and embarked with the unit for New Guinea as a Trooper aboard S.S. “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. He transferred to 22nd Infantry Battalion on 26 Dec 1945 and returned to Australia on 6 Mar 1946. He was discharged on 26 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".

Archibald (Arch) enlisted on 19 Jan 1942 with the Australian Military Forces with Service No V1175665 and posted to 2nd Motor Division, Australian Army Service Corps. He transferred to the A.I.F. on 8 Sept 1942 and given Service No VX84174. Arch was posted to 1st Australian Commando Training Battalion on 29 Mar 1943 and after training, embarked aboard "KATOOMBA" for New Guinea on 27 Aug 1943. He joined the unit on New Guinea on 2 Nov 1942 as a Trooper in No 5 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 5 Sect, “B” Troop. He transferred to 12th Army Troops on 24 Dec 1945 and returned to Australia on 9 May 1946. He was discharged on 13 Aug 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".

Keith enlisted in the Citizens Military Force (Reserves) on 23 Dec 1941 and was posted to 2nd Australian Motorised Division, Army Service Corps. He transferred to the A.I.F. on 17 Jul 1942 and was posted to 1st Australian Commando Training Battalion on 22 Mar 1943. He joined the 2/2nd on 15 May 1943 and embarked with the unit for New Guinea aboard “DUNTROON” on 17 Jun 1943 as a Trooper in No 8 Sect, “C” Troop and returned to Australia with them aboard “TAROONA” on 3 Sept 1944. He left the 2/2nd on 22 Nov 1944 and was discharged on 18 Dec 1944. He was entitled to the 1939-45 Star, Pacific Star, War Medal and Australian Service Medal 1939-45, pictured below.

After commando training, William embarked aboard "KATOOMBA" for New Guinea on 22 Nov 1943 and joined the unit on 28 Nov 1943 as a Signalman in Signals Section, Headquarters Group, he was attached to “A” Troop. 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 Signalman in Signals Section, Headquarters Group. He was Medevac by plane to Australia on 9 Jun 1945 and was discharged on 28 Feb 1946. He was entitled to the 1939-45 Star, Pacific Star, War Medal and Australian Service Medal 1939-45, pictured below.

John enlisted on 10 Feb 1942 and attended the Guerrilla Warfare School on 22 Apr 1942. He embarked for New Guinea on 17 Feb 1943 and joined the 2/2nd in New Guinea as a Trooper on 28 Nov 1943, serving in No 10 Sect, Headquarters Group. He returned to Australia aboard "KATOOMBA" on 27 Feb 1944. He embarked for New Guinea aboard "ORMISTON" on 2 Jul 1944 and re-joined the 2/2nd on 8 Jul 1944, returned to Australia with them aboard “TAROONA” on 3 Sept 1944. He was discharged on 31 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 29 Dec 1941 and after training was posted to 2nd Army Signals on 2 May 1942. He transferred to the following, Land Headquarters Signals on 8 Jul 1942, Queensland Lines of Communication on 21 Jul 1942, Armoured Corps Ordnance Workshop on 28 Sept 1942 and 3rd Australian Armoured Workshops on 23 Jan 1943. He was posted to 1st Australian Commando Training Battalion on 25 Feb 1943 and promoted to Acting Corporal on 8 Mar 1943. He reverted to Private at his own request 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 and transferred to 2/6th Australian Independent Company (2/6 AIC) on 28 Dec 1943, then to 2/5th Field Company, Royal Australian Engineers on 14 Jan 1944 and returned to Australia with them aboard “TAROONA” on 4 Mar 1944. He embarked for Morotai aboard Landing Ship Troops (LST) 721 on 23 May 1945 and the to Balikpapan aboard LST 397 7 Jul 1945. He returned to Australia aboard "MANOORA" on 16 Oct 1945 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. He may now also entitled to the Australian Service Medal 1945-75 with a clasp

Alfred (Jim) joined the unit on Timor as a Corporal in the Signals and Cypher Unit, on 12 Sept 1942 aboard HMAS "Kalgoorlie", after contact had been made with Australia with “WINNIE THE WAR WINNER”. He returned to Australia on 18 Feb 1943. He was promoted to Acting Sergeant on 26 Apr 1943 and transferred to "Z" Special Force on 29 May 1943. Embarked for service outside of Australia on 27 Jul 1943 and was appointed Acting Lieutenant on 15 Sept 1943. Promoted to Temporary Captain on 14 Feb 1945 and believed a P.O.W. no date given but was repatriated from Singapore and recovering on Bali on 3 Oct 1945. He relinquished his commission and was granted the Honorary rank of Captain and was discharged on 10 Dec 1945. He was entitled to the 1939-45 Star, Pacific Star, Defence Medal, War Medal and Australian Service Medal 1939-45, pictured below.

George enlisted on 8 Dec 1941 and after training at the Guerrilla Warfare School (Commando Training) at Foster, Victoria, he joined the unit on 25 Dec 1942 and embarked for New Guinea aboard “TAROONA” on 11 Jul 1943. He transferred to 42nd Infantry Battalion on 31 Jul 1943. He returned to Australia aboard "KOTA BAROE" on 28 May 1944 and was discharged on 3 Sept 1945. He was entitled to the 1939-45 Star, Pacific Star, War Medal and Australian Service Medal 1939-45, pictured below

Edward enlisted on 20 Oct 1941 and was posted to Australian Army Service Corps (AASC). He embarked for Timor on 17 Jan 1942 and joined the 2/2nd on Timor as a Private from AASC, 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 transferred to AASC School, Bendigo, on 19 Feb 1943, 1st AASC Training Battalion on 29 Oct 1943, 3rd Australian Training Centre, Jungle Warfare on 8 Jan 1945 then Australian Base Sub Area on 2 Mar 1945. He was discharged on 15 Nov 1945. He was entitled to the 1939-45 Star, Pacific Star, Defence Medal, War Medal and Australian Service Medal 1939-45, pictured below.

Wallace 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 Hiddes” on 11 Dec 1942. He embarked for New Guinea as a Trooper aboard “CANBERRA” on 26 Nov 1943 and re-joined the unit on 30 Nov 1943. He transferred to New Guinea Details on 10 Apr 1944 and enplaned for Australia on 27 Sept 1944 and was discharged on 24 Dec 1944. He was entitled to the 1939-45 Star, Pacific Star, War Medal and Australian Service Medal 1939-45, pictured below.

Norman 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 in No 2 Section, “A” Platoon. He was Wounded in Action during his service on Timor, date and nature of wounding unknown. 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 Norman embarked with the unit for New Guinea aboard S.S. “DUNTROON” on 17 Jun 1943 as a Trooper in No 2 Section, “A” Troop, he left the unit and returned to Australia aboard “ORMISTON” on 30 Mar 1944 and was discharged on 16 Oct 1944. He was entitled to the 1939-45 Star, Pacific Star, War Medal and Australian Service Medal 1939-45, pictured below.

Arthur was a member of the First Reinforcements that arrive at Dili, Timor, aboard M.V. “Kalama”, 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 Hiddes” on either 11 Dec 1942 or 16 Dec 1942, as the embarkation rolls do not differentiate. After leave and reorganization he embarked with the unit as a Trooper for New Guinea aboard S.S. “DUNTROON” on 17 Jun 1943 and returned to Australia with them aboard “TAROONA” on 3 Sept 1944. He was discharged on 22 Nov 1945, but has a second service number 32717 which suggests he served in the Army after WW2.

Richard enlisted into the Royal Australian Navy on 7 Apr 1941, as an Ordinary Seaman under the name of Walter Leonard Crossing, with the service Number, F3515. The F denotes he enlisted at Fremantle, WA. He was serving aboard HMAS Voyager when it ran aground on Timor on 23 Sept 1942. His brother, Warwick, was serving with the unit and he proceeded to meet up him, when the navy picked up the crew of HMAS Voyager, he stayed behind with Warwick, effectively deserting from the RAN. He served with the unit on Timor and he embarked with them, 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 served so well with the unit on Timor, that on arrival in Australia, he was taken back on strength with the Royal Australian Navy and proceeded to Brisbane where he was cleared of desertion and allowed to enlist in the Army, change his name to Richard Crossing, with Service Number QX44084 and posted back to the unit. The QX denotes he enlisted in Queensland. The Navy had no more claim of his service. He reverted to Walter Leonard Crossing on 22 Jun 1943. After infantry training he embarked for New Guinea on 8 Sept 1943 and joined the unit on New Guinea on 19 Feb 1944, serving as a Trooper in No 8 Section, “C” Troop. 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 8 Sect, “C” Troop. He transferred to 29/46th Infantry Battalion on 4 Jan 1946 and returned to Australia aboard "VITO" on 16 Jan 1946, to be discharged on 19 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".

Jack enlisted in the Citizens Military Force (Reserves) with Service No V175813 on 2 Jun 1942 and was posted to Australian Army Ordnance Corps. He transferred to the A.I.F. on 15 Feb 1943 and was posted to 1st Australian Commando Training Battalion on 1 Mar 1943. He joined the 2/2nd on 15 May 1943 and embarked with the unit for New Guinea aboard “DUNTROON” on 17 Jun 1943 as a Sapper in the Engineers Sect, Headquarters Group. He transferred to 2/6th Australian Field Company, Royal Australian Engineers on 28 Dec 1943 and returned to Australia on 16 Feb 1944. He embarked aboard Landing Ship Troops 935 for Morotai on 23 May 1945 and then aboard Landing Craft Infantry 999 for Borneo on 27 Jun 1945. He returned to Australia on 13 Feb 1946 and was discharged on 1 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 The photo of him comes from his service papers. Normally a Service No VP means Victorian Permanent Forces, but there is no mention of him serving in the Permanent Army.