Peter Epps

Keith enlisted into the 10th Light Horse Regiment on 17 Mar 1941 with service No W34753 as a Trooper. He transferred to the 2nd AIF on 8 July 1942 and was posted to 1st Australian Commando Training Battalion on 2 Dec 1944. After training he joined the unit on 31 Jan 1945 and he embarked for New Britain aboard “TAROONA” on 9 Apr 1945 with the unit as a Trooper in No 3 Sect, “A” Troop. He embarked for Australia aboard "TAROONA" on 15 Sept 45. Keith was posted to Marrinup POW Camp in Western Australia and was discharged on 9 May 1946. For his service during WW2 he was awarded the Pacific Star, War Medal and Australian Service Medal 1939-45

Ralph was a Middleweight Boxing Champion pre war 10 bouts, won 7 lost 2 draw 1. He enlisted in the Citizens Military Force (Reserves) on 30 Sept 1941 with Service No W13537 and was posted to the Australian Army Service Corps. He was an instructor in Western Command for Physical Training, Unarmed Combat and Small Arms during 1942. He transferred to the A.I.F. on 14 Sept 1942 and promoted Sergeant 3 Dec 1942. He embarked for New Guinea on 19 May 1944, he reverted to Private at his own request on 8 Jul 1944 and transferred to the 2/2 same day, joining them at BULULO in New Guinea as a Trooper 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 7 Sect, “C” Troop. He represented the unit in boxing matches in New Guinea and New Britain. Ralph transferred to 29/46th Infantry Battalion on 26 Dec 1945 and returned to Australia aboard "VITO" on 16 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. He is now also entitled to the Australian Service Medal 1945-75 with a clasp

Kenneth was posted to 1st Aust Commando Training Battalion on 25 Feb 1942. He joined the unit In May 1943 and embarked with the unit for New Guinea aboard S.S. “DUNTROON” on 17 Jun 1943 as a Trooper in No 3 sect, “A” Troop. He was admitted to 110th Aust Gen Hospital on 29 Feb 1944 and discharged from the Army on 12 Nov 1944.

Thomas served in the 10th Light Horse prior to joining the unit 31 Jan 1945 and he embarked for New Britain aboard “TAROONA” on 9 Apr 1945 with the unit as a Trooper in No 3 Sect, “A” Troop. He left the unit on 23 Oct 1945 and was discharged on 16 Apr 1946. He has a Post WW2 service number, 526892, but his service file is not accessible.

James joined the unit at Canungra, Qld and embarked for New Britain aboard “TAROONA” on 9 Apr 1945 with the unit as a Trooper. He was discharged on 10 Nov 1945.

Charles enlisted in the Australian Military Forces (Reserves) on 13 Feb 1942 with Service No W57674 and was posted to 9th Battery, 3rd Australian Field Regiment, Royal Australian Artillery (RAA) as a Gunner. He joined the A.I.F on 19 Jul 1942 with Service No WX25521. He transferred to 32nd Australian Infantry Training Battalion on 8 Aug 1944 then to 1st Australian Commando Training Battalion on 27 Nov 1944. He 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 in No 3 Sect, “A” Troop. He returned to Australia on 15 Sept 1945 and was discharged on 25 Oct 1945. He was entitled to the 1939-45 Star, Pacific Star, War Medal and Australian Service Medal 1939-45, pictured below.

George enlisted as an 18 Year old, in the Australian Military Forces (Reserves) with Service No W23404 and was posted to 3rd Field Regiment, Royal Australian Artillery (RAA) on 15 Jan 1942. he transferred to the AIF on 20 Jul 1942, still serving in 3rd Field Regiment, RAA, in Western Australia. He transferred to 1st Australian Infantry Training Battalion on 4 Aug 1944, then to 32nd Australian Infantry Training Battalion on 8 Aug 1944. He then was posted to 1st Australian Commando Training Battalion on 27 Nov 1944 and joined the 2/2nd on 31 Jan 1945. After the unit reorganized, 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 53rd Port Craft Company on 27 Dec 1945 and returned to Australia aboard "KATOOMBA" on 24 Mar 1946 and was discharged on 5 Jul 1946. He was entitled to the 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" and possibly the 1939-45 Star. George was made a Life Member of the Association in 1973.

John enlisted on 16 Jan 1941 and after infantry training he was posted to 1st Australian Commando Training Battalion on 13 Feb 1943. He joined the unit on 15 May 1943 at Canungra, Qld. After leave and reorganization he embarked with the unit for New Guinea as a Trooper in No 3 Sect, ”A” Troop aboard S.S. “DUNTROON” on 17 Jun 1943. He was evacuated to 2/6th Field Ambulance and died of illness at DUMPU, New Guinea, on 31 Dec 1943. He was buried at Dumpu War Cemetery and later re-buried at Lae War Cemetery on 8 Jun 1944. https://www.cwgc.org/visit-us/find-cemeteries-memorials/cemetery-details/14138/lae-war-cemetery/ He is entitled to the 1939-45 Star, Pacific Star, War Medal and Australian Service Medal 1939-45, pictured below.

Francis joined the unit at Canungra, Qld and embarked with the unit for New Guinea as a Trooper in No 9 Sect, “C” Troop 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 in No 9 Sect, “C” Troop. He was discharged on 22 Mar 1946. Post WW2 Francis joined the Regular Army with service number 51265 and served in the Korean War in the Australian Ancillary Unit Korea, Royal Australian Corps of Signals, from 14 May 1953 to 16 August 1953.

Leo enlisted on 20 Nov 1941 and posted to 1st Training Battalion on 25 Nov 1942 and transferred to 6th Battalion on 4 Jul 1942. He was posted to 1st Australian Commando Training Squadron on 25 Mar 1943 and joined the unit at Canungra, Qld on 15 May 1943. He 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 left the unit and transferred to 2/3rd Australian Field Regiment, Royal Australian Artillery at Lae on 26 Aug 1945 and returned to Australia aboard "KATOOMBA" on 26 Oct 1945. He was discharged on 12 Nov 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".

James enlisted on 16 Jan 1941 with Service No W 3438 using the name James Alfred William Gallagher and was posted to 7th Heavy Brigade Royal Australian Artillery as a Gunner. Without telling the authorities, he enlisted into the A.I.F. as James Gallagher on 29 Sept 1941 with Service No WX16771. This caught up with him in March 1944, when he admitted the offence with no repercussions. After training James was posted to 2/3rd Field Artillery Regiment on 22 Nov 1941. Was appointed Lance Bombardier 27 Jan 1942, transferred to 109th Anti Tank Regiment on 10 Mar 1942 and promoted Temporary Bombardier 17 Apr 1942. He was transferred to 1st Australian Commando Training Battalion on 30 Jan 1944. After training , he embarked for New Guinea aboard "ARMISTON" on 20 Apr 1944 and joined the unit on New Guinea as a Signalman in Signals Sect, Headquarters Group 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 4th Survey Battery on 29 Nov 1945 and embarked for Australia aboard "KATOOMBA" on 6 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 "S.W.Pacific".

Walter 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 3 Sect, “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 as a Trooper in No 3 Sect, “A” Troop for New Guinea aboard S.S. “DUNTROON” on 17 Jun 1943 and returned to Australia with them aboard “TAROONA” on 3 Sept 1944. After further leave and reorganization, he embarked for New Britain aboard “DUNTROON” on 2 May 1945 and re-joined the unit as a Trooper in No 3 Sect, “A” Troop. He left the unit and embarked for Australia aboard "KATOOMBA" on 6 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".

Gordon was an original member of the unit, embarking aboard “S.S. ZEALANDIA” on 8 Dec 1941 for Timor as a Private in No 5 Sect, “B” Platoon. 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 2/16 Battalion, 6 Jul 1943 and was discharged on 14 Mar 1946.

Anthony (Lofty) was an original member of the unit, embarking aboard “S.S. ZEALANDIA” on 8 Dec 1941 for Timor as a Private in No 2 Sect, “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 was appointed Lance Corporal on 26 Apr 1943 and Corporal 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 Corporal in No 2 Sect, “A” Troop and was medivac to Australia on 21 May 1944. He re-joined the unit on its return to Australia Sept 1944. After further leave and reorganization, he flew to Port Moresby on 21 Jul 1945 and embarked from Lae, New Guinea to re-joined the unit on 8 Aug 1945 as a Corporal in No 4 Sect, “B” Troop. He left the unit and embarked for Australia aboard "KATOOMBA" on 6 Dec 1945 and was discharged on 18 Jan 1946. For his service Tony 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". Anthony was made a Life Member of the Association in 1992.

Richard enlisted in the Citizens Military Force (Reserves) on 18 Nov 1936 with Service No 276635 and was posted to 11th Battalion. He was discharged from the CMF on 27 Jan 1938. He enlisted in the A.I.F. 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 Headquarters Group of “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. Transferred to 1st Australian Commando Training Battalion as an instructor on 30 Mar 1943. He was discharged from the A.I.F. 25 Apr 1944 and enlisted into the R.A.A.F. with service number 84925, on 26 Apr 1944 with a commission, serving as an Intelligence Officer with the Rank of Flying Officer until discharged on 5 Jun 1946. STILL AWAITING RAAF RECORDS TO BE RELEASED Richard was made a Life member of the Association in 1965.

Frederick enlisted on 24 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 2 Sect, “A” Platoon. He took part in the No 2 Sect defence at Dili Drome on 19/20 Feb 1942 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. He transferred to 1st Australian Commando Training Battalion as an instructor on 20 May 1943 and was promoted to Acting Corporal on 16 Jun 1943. He transferred back to the 2/2nd on 11 Sept 1944 and after, he embarked for New Britain aboard “TAROONA” on 9 Apr 1945 with the unit as a Corporal. He was confirmed Corporal on 30 Apr 1945. He returned to Australia aboard "ORMISTON" on 26 Jun 1945 and transferred to South Australia General Duties Depot on 7 Sept 1945 and was discharged on 9 Nov 1945. He was entitled to the 1939-45 Star, Pacific Star, War Medal and Australian Service Medal 1939-45, pictured below.