Peter Epps

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.

Edward (Smash) enlisted on 10 Jun 1941 and was an original member of the unit, embarking aboard “ZEALANDIA” on 8 Dec 1941 for Timor as a Private in the Engineers Section, Headquarters Group. He was promoted Corporal on 10 May 1942 and Sergeant on 1 Aug 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 was Mentioned in Despatches, London Gazette, 25 May 1943 and in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette, No 119-3 Jun 1943. These are the two Gazettes for the Timor Campaign. After leave and reorganization he embarked with the unit for New Guinea as a Sergeant in the Engineer Section, Headquarters Group aboard “DUNTROON” on 17 Jun 1943 and flew to Australia to attend School of Military Engineers, NCO School No 74 from 3 Aug to 25 Nov 1944. He re-joined the 2/2nd on 24 Feb 1945 and after further leave and reorganization, he embarked for New Britain aboard “TAROONA” on 9 Apr 1945 with the unit as a Sergeant. He transferred to 22nd Infantry Battalion on 26 Dec 1945, returned to Australia on 20 Jan 1946 and was discharged on 18 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.

Francis enlisted on 30 Jul 1940 and posted to 2/40th Battalion. He embarked for Timor on 8 Dec 1942 and joined the unit on Timor as a Private from 2/40 Battalion, after the fall of Koepang, approx March 1942. He was medevac'd from SUAI aboard "KURU" on 15 Jul 1942. After treatment he was posted to 1st Australian Guard Compound on 8 Feb 1943. He was promoted Acting Corporal on 1 Feb 1944, confirmed Corporal on 15 May 1944 and appointed Lance Sergeant on 18 Jul 1945. He was discharged on 4 Apr 1946. He was entitled to the 1939-45 Star, Pacific Star, Defence Medal, War Medal and Australian Service Medal 1939-45, pictured below.

Alfred enlisted on 3 Jul 1940 and was posted to6th Training Battalion on 2 Aug 1940. He was posted to 7th Infantry Training Centre, Foster, which was the Commando Training centre, om26 Mar 1941. After training he was posted to No 3 Australian Independent Company on1 Sept 1941 and appointed Acting Lance Corporal on9 Dec 1941. He embarked for New Guinea aboard "ORMISTON" on 17 Dec 1941 and returned to Australia on 4 Jul 1942. He transferred to 21st Australian Infantry Training Battalion on 24 Nov 1942 then to Land Head Quarters, Jungle Training Centre on 30 Jan 1943. He was posted to 1st Australian Commando Training Battalion on 15 Feb 1943 and reverted to Private at his own request on 12 Mar 1943. He embarked for New Guinea aboard “DUNTROON” on 16 Mar 1943 and joined the 2/2nd 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. He returned to Australia on 15 Sept 1945 and was discharged on 11 Oct 1945. He was entitled to the 1939-45 Star, Pacific Star, War Medal and Australian Service Medal 1939-45, pictured below.

Norman Enlisted on 24 May 1940 and posted to 2/2nd Field Workshop. He was promoted Acting Corporal on 30 Aug 1940, Corporal on 19 Aug 1941 and was transferred to 75th Light Aid Detachment on 18 Sept 1940. He embarked for Timor on 8 Dec 1941 and joined the 2/2nd on Timor from 75th Light Aid Detachment after the fall of Koepang, approx March 1942. He was medevac'd to Australia aboard HMAS "KALGOORLIE" from Betano on 13 Sept 1942. After medical treatment he was posted to Australian Army Ordnance Training Depot on 3 Jan 1943 and then Australian Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (AEME) Training Depot on 14 Jul 1943, then 2nd Australian Tank Training Depot on 2 Oct 1943. He transferred to 2/2nd Australian Base Workshop on 12 Apr 1944 and then to 2/4th Australian Base Workshop on 25 Aug 1944. He attended Land Head Quarters AEME School, Armament Artificers, Engine No5 Course, 13 Aug - 6 Oct 1945 and qualified with Distinction . Norman was discharged on 3 Jan 1946. He was entitled to the 1939-45 Star, Pacific Star, Defence Medal, War Medal and Australian Service Medal 1939-45, pictured below.

Leslie enlisted on 23 Jan 1943 and posted to 6th Field Regiment, Royal Australian Artillery on 20 Mar 1942. He transferred to 3rd Australian Infantry Brigade on 19 Jul 1944 and then to 28th Australian Infantry Training Battalion on 10 Aug 1944. Les joined the 2/2nd on 31 Jan 1945 and embarked for New Britain aboard “TAROONA” on 9 Apr 1945 with the unit as a Trooper. He returned to Australia aboard "TAROONA" on 15 Aug 1945 and was discharged on 8 Jul 1946. He was entitled to the Pacific Star, War Medal and Australian Service Medal 1939-45, pictured below.

Bernard enlisted on 22 Oct 1940 and was posted to 2/40th Battalion and embarked for Timor on 17 Jan 1942. He joined the 2/2nd on Timor from 2/40 Battalion, as a Private 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. after medical treatment he was posted to 22nd Australian Motor Regiment on 15 Mar 1943 and to 14th Australian Infantry Training Battalion on 3 Nov 1943, He was discharged on 1 Dec 1944. He was entitled to the 1939-45 Star, Pacific Star, Defence Medal, War Medal and Australian Service Medal 1939-45, pictured below.

Robert enlisted on 21 Jun 1940 and was posted to 2/40th Battalion. He joined the 2/2nd on Timor, after the fall of Koepang, approx March 1942. He was medevac from Betano to Australia on 25 Oct 1942 and after medical treatment was posted to 2/12th Battalion on 29 May 1943, he embarked for New Guinea with them aboard "KATOOMBA" on 17 Aug 1943 and was wounded in action on 29 Jan 1944, returning to 2/12th on 28 Feb 1944. He returned to Australia aboard "TAROONA" with the 2/12th on 6 May 1944 and was discharged 4 Nov 1944. He was entitled to the 1939-45 Star, Pacific Star, Defence Medal, War Medal and Australian Service Medal 1939-45, pictured below.

Roy enlisted on 26 Jun 1940 and was posted to 2/40th Battalion. He embarked for Timor on 8 Dec 1941 and joined the 2/2nd on Timor from 2/40 Battalion as a Private after the fall of Koepang, approx March 1942. He was medevac from "Betano" aboard "KURU" on 2 Sep 1942. After medical treatment he was discharged on 19 Jan 1944. He was entitled to the 1939-45 Star, Pacific Star, Defence Medal, War Medal and Australian Service Medal 1939-45, pictured below.