Peter Epps

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 “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. 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. It is not known if he served overseas with the R.A.A.F, 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.

Ernest was an original member of the unit, embarking aboard “S.S. ZEALANDIA” on 8 Dec 1941 for Timor as a Private in No 1 Section, “A” Platoon. He embarked at “BETANO” for Darwin aboard the “KURU” on 19 Aug 1942 as a Private. After leave and reorganization he embarked for New Guinea aboard "KATOOMBA" on 27 Aug 1943 and re-joined the unit on 2 Nov 1943 as a Trooper. He was Medevac by plane to Australia on7 Jun 1944 and transferred to 110 AGT Company on 12 Sept 1944 and was discharged on 31 Jul 1946. He was entitled to the 1939-45 Star, Pacific Star, War Medal and Australian Service Medal 1939-45, pictured below.

Jim enlisted 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 Headquarters Sect, “A” Platoon. After his campaign on Timor, he Medivac to Darwin on 22 Sept 1942 as a Lance Corporal. After medical treatment he was transferred to "D" Sub H.Q. Australian Kit Stores and was appointed Acting Sergeant on 10 Dec 1945 and promoted to Sergeant on 22 Jan 1946. Jim was discharged on 17 Feb 1947. He was entitled to the 1939-45 Star, Pacific Star, War Medal and Australian Service Medal 1939-45, pictured below.

Roderick enlisted 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 1 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 Lance Corporal in No 1 Sect, “A” Troop, for New Guinea aboard S.S. “DUNTROON” on 17 Jun 1943. He was appointed Paid Lance Corporal on 12 Aug 1943 and was wounded in action at “MAULULI”, New Guinea on 14 Aug 1943. He returned to Australia on 8 Sept 1943 and was discharged on 14 Mar 1944. On 7 Jul 1944 Roderick gave up his pension and enlisted into the R.A.A.F. with Service No 85098 with the rank of Leading Aircraftman. He was serving with 7th COMMUNICATIONS UNIT and was discharged on 11 Mar 1946. His RAAF service papers are not yet available. He was entitled to the 1939-45 Star, Pacific Star, War Medal and Australian Service Medal 1939-45, pictured below. Roderick was made a Life Member of the Association in 1975.

Frank enlisted on 21 May and was an original member of the unit, embarking aboard “S.S. ZEALANDIA” on 8 Dec 1941 for Timor as a Private in No 1 Section, “A” Platoon. He was promoted Corporal 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. After leave and reorganization he embarked with the unit for New Guinea as a Corporal in No 1 Section, “A” Troop aboard S.S. “DUNTROON” on 17 Jun 1943 and returned to Australia with the unit aboard “TAROONA” on 3 Sept 1944. He was appointed Lance Sergeant ( held the rank but not the pay to see how he performed in the rank) on 2 Feb 1945. After further leave and reorganization, he embarked for New Britain aboard “TAROONA” on 9 Apr 1945 with the unit as a Lance Sergeant in Headquarters Group. He was attached to Australian Army Catering Corps on 11 Jun 1945 and emplaned to Lae, New Guinea on 5 Jul to attend and qualify on "New Guinea Training School Unit Bread Baking Wing" from 7 Jul to 7 Aug 1945. He returned to the unit on 5 Aug 1945 and promoted acting Sergeant on 27 Sept 1945. Promoted Sergeant 27 Dec 1945. He returned to Australia aboard "SALAMANDUA" 18 Jan 1945 and was discharged on 14 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 "S.W.Pacific".

Cyril (Tiger) enlisted on 17 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 was involved with the defence of the Dili Airfield when the Japanese first made contact with the unit. He was sent with a messenger to alert Captain Callinan at Force HQ, Dili, that the Japanese had landed and attacking the Airfield. He and Callinan had then to make their way back to Company HQ and were missing for a short time. 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 2 Sect, “A” Troop, for New Guinea aboard S.S. “DUNTROON” on 17 Jun 1943. He was killed in action on 29 Sep 1943 on the track Kesawai to Korepa at Maululi, New Giunea. He is buried at Lae War Cemetery, Grave No 14, Row C, Plot E. He was entitled to the 1939-45 Star, Pacific Star, War Medal and Australian Service Medal 1939-45, pictured below.