Peter Epps

Commissioned second Lieutenant on 31 Jan 1936 and posted to the Indian Army on 20 Mar 1937. Promoted Lieutenant 30 Apr 1938. He has service No 62336 in the London Gazette for WW2. The above curtesy of Jack Langley, Sydney. Probyn's Horse, Indian Army. He was attached to the unit on New Guinea from 3 Feb 1944 to Unattached 29 Feb 1944 . Curtesy of Nominal Roll National Archives of Australia. MAJ Loraine-Smith was awarded an MC whilst OC, "A" Squadron Probyn's Horse during the crossing of the Irrawaddy in 1945. Wounded in Action on 24 April 1945 in vicinity of Toungoo. Whilst attempting to capture a bridge there, Loraine-Smith was wounded by shrapnel from an enemy gun which penetrated his Sherman's armour and ended in the tank 'brewing up'. The above curtesy of Laurie Promoted Major 20 Apr 1948. Retires on account of disability. 27 Nov 1953. The following curtesy of Matthew Broadbridge. UK. Major Bernard Lawson Loraine-Smith, M.C., psc B. 20/4/12. Educated ? & Cambridge University. Commissioned (late Offr. Cadet, Cambridge Univ. Contgt., Sen. Div., O.T.C.) on the Supplementary Reserve of Officers with the Durham Light Infantry as a 2nd Lt., 10th Feb. 1934. Commissioned a 2/Lt on to the Unattached List for the Indian Army (ULIA) from Supplementary Reserve of Officers, Durham Light Infantry) with seniority 10/2/35 on 30/1/36. Attached in India to the 2nd battalion, Border Regiment 18/3/1936 for a year (at this time all newly commissioned officers of the ULIA did a year on attachment to a British Army regiment in India before joining their Indian Army units.) Appointed to the Indian Army as 2/Lt on 20/3/37 and posted to Probyn's Horse. Served with the regiment on the North-West frontier of India during 1936-37. Serving with Probyn's Horse 1939. Promoted Lieut 30/4/38, acting Captain 8/9/39 – 28/11/39, acting Captain 10/12/40 to 9/3/41, temporary Captain 10/3/41 - 1/6/41, temporary Captain 16/7/41 - 29/1/44, Captain 30/1/44. Attended Staff College, Quetta 1941-42. Wounded Commanding ‘A’ Squadron, Probyn's Horse, in Burma 24/4/45 – his leg was amputated. Awarded the Military Cross (LG 24/5/45) with Probyn’s Horse for Burma. Married 1946 in London to Rachel Anne Studd Transfers to the British Army and 7th Queens Own Hussars on 17/8/46 retaining his seniority. Temporary Major ? to ? & 18/10/46 to 19/4/48, Major 20/4/48 Retires on retired pay on account of disability, 27th November 1953. Died 23rd January 1985 in Oxford, Oxfordshire

Ivor enlisted on 19 May 1941 and completed the training at Wilson's Promontory. He was an original member of the unit, even to the point that he went to Darwin with the unit but did not embark. He returned to W.A. and served in numerous units, until posted to 3rd Australian Corps Provost on 21 Sept 42. Promoted Acting Corporal 1 Jan 1943 and confirmed Corporal on 11 May 1943. Ivor was discharged on 11 Mar 1946.

Arthur embarked for the Middle East with 2/3rd Field Regiment, Royal Australian Artillery, aboard HT L11 on 15 Nov 1940 and served in NORTH AFRICA and CRETE. He was promoted Acting Bombardier on 20 Sept 1941 and confirmed Bombardier on 29 Oct 1941. He returned to Australia aboard "DARBAN CASTLE"? on 17 Mar 1942, appointed Lance Sergeant on 19 Jul 1942 and promoted Acting Sergeant on 21 Aug 1942. He attended 1st Australian Commando Training Squadron on 22 Jun 1943 and reverted to Private at his own request on 8 May 1943. He joined the unit on 15 May 1943 and embarked with the unit for New Guinea aboard S.S. “DUNTROON” on 17 Jun 1943 and was wounded in action (Chest) on 6 Mar 1944 and was Medevac to Australia aboard "GORGON" on 25 Jun 1944. After recuperating he transferred to 1st Australia Ordnance Small Craft Park on 22 Aug 1944. Arthur was discharged on 29 Sept 1945. He was entitled to the 1939-45 Star, Africa Star, Pacific Star, defence Medal, War Medal and Australian Service Medal 1939-45, pictured below

Arthur served with No 1 Australian Independent Company and embarked from Sydney on 27 Feb 1942 for New Guinea. He returned to Australia on 14 Jan 1943 and after training at 1st Australian Commando Training Battalion, Arthur joined the unit at Canungra, Qld as a Trooper on 15 May 1943, but before the unit left for New Guinea, he fell ill and was transferred to hospital on 20 May 1943 and was discharged from hospital on 6 Jun 1943. He then spent some time recuperating and embarked aboard "KATOOMBA" for New Guinea, disembarking at LAE on 19 Feb 1944 and re-joined the unit on 29 Mar 1944. Arthur transferred to 2/3rd Australia Composite Anti Aircraft Regiment on 24 Apr 1944. He embarked from LAE aboard "ORMISTON" for TOWNSVILLE on 27 Apr 1944. Arthur embarked aboard "SEA RAY" on 10 Apr 1945 and disembarked at MOROTAI on 22 Apr 1945, he then embarked aboard Landing Ship Troops 697 for LUBUAN, British North Borneo on 2 Jun 1945. He returned to Australia on 20 Dec 1945 and was discharged on 8 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".

Kevin was a Lieutenant, with 2/1st Tank Attack Regiment and was attached to the unit, for a short period, on New Britain for training purposes. Being attached meant that he was not part of the establishment of the Squadron. He enlisted on 19 Aug 1942 and was discharged on 15 Jul 1946

William enlisted on 17 May 1941 and was an original member of the unit, embarking aboard “ZEALANDIA” on 8 Dec 1941 for Timor as a Private, (in Doig's Book he is listed as a Lance Corporal, but nothing in his records) in No 1 Section, “A” Platoon. He was wounded in action and was casevac to Australia on 22 Aug 1942 with a fractured Fibula. After treatment he transferred to 16th Australian Infantry Training Company on 21 Dec 1942, 3rd Australian Training Company on 29 Apr 1943 and was discharged on 26 Nov 1943. He enlisted in the Royal Australian Air Force on 4 Dec 1943 with Service No 441669. His RAAF service papers are not yet available but from the WW2 Nominal roll it is known that he was a Flight Sergeant and serving in 200th Flight at Leyburn, Qld, when he was discharged on 14 Nov 1945.

THIS MANS SERVICE FILE IS MISSING SOME PAGES. He only has one page of his service history from enlistment to 19 Sept 1943. UNKNOWN IF SERVED WITH UNIT James enlisted into the Citizens Military Forces (Reserve) on 2 Mar 1942 with service No N169022 and served with 20th Field Regiment, Royal Australian Artillery (RAA). On 9 Dec 1942 he transferred to 231st Light Anti-aircraft Battery, RAA, in NSW and then transferred on 2 Sept 1943 to 554th Australian Light Anti-aircraft Battery, RAA, in Qld. He embarked with them aboard "Van Heutz" at Brisbane on 11 Sept 1943 and disembarked at Moresby on 19 Sept 1943. There are no more pages of his history in his file. He transferred to the AIF on 11 Oct 1943 and his service papers state that he did so whilst in New Guinea. He served in New Guinea 11 Sept 1943 to 19 Feb 1945. His papers state he then served in New Britain 18 Apr 1945 to 18 Jan 1946. His papers state that his last unit on discharge was 2nd / 2nd Commando Squadron on New Britain. When the war in the Pacific ended and units were breaking up, due to soldiers being readied for discharge, the soldiers were sent to the 2nd / 2nd Commando Squadron as a staging unit for rationing purposes only. As we have no proof of whether or not he served with the unit prior to the End of the war, we are including his name and details on our nominal roll, until we prove one way or the other. UNKNOWN IF SERVED WITH UNIT

SEE JOHN HENRY STAFFORD VX18894

Ronald enlisted on 9 Mat 1941 and was an original member of the unit, embarking aboard “ZEALANDIA” on 8 Dec 1941 for Timor as a Private in No 7 Section, “C” Platoon. He was promoted to Corporal on 1 Mar 1942 and after the campaign on Timor, he embarked with the unit, for Australia aboard the Royal Dutch destroyer “Tjerk Hiddes” on 16 Dec 1942. Ron was injured during training at Canungra and after treatment he embarked aboard "GROGAN" for New Guinea on 6 Dec 1943 and re-joined the unit on 11 Dec 1943 and was appointed Lance Sergeant on 21 Dec 1943 in No 10 Section, Headquarters Group. Ronald returned to Australia aboard "LEWIS SYCHE" on 1 Mar 1944 and attended Officer Cadet Training Unit Course No 11 20 Mar 1944. He was promoted Lieutenant 8 Jul 1944 and posted as an Instructor to 1st Australian Commando Training Battalion on 18 Nov 1944. He transferred to 2/8th Australian Commando Squadron on27 Dec 1944 and embarked with them aboard "SHAWNEE" for Bougainville on 5 Jan 1945. He returned to Australia aboard "ORMISTON" on 5 Nov 1945 and was discharged on 27 Nov 1945. Ronald was made a Life Member of the Association in 1955. He was entitled to the 1939-45 Star, Pacific Star, War Medal and Australian Service Medal 1939-45, pictured below. He could now be entitled to the Australian Service Medal 1945-75 with a clasp

George enlisted on 26 Feb 1942 and was posted to 48th Infantry Battalion on 3 Apr 1942 and transferred to 108th Anti Aircraft Regiment on 11 Sept 1942. He was posted to 1st Australian Commando Training Squadron on 6 Mar 1943 and joined the unit on 15 May 1943. He embarked with the unit for New Guinea aboard S.S. “DUNTROON” on 17 Jun 1943 as a Trooper. He was Medevac by plane to Australia on 2 Sept 1944. He 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.

Robert (Bob) enlisted on 21 Apr 1941 and was an original member of the unit, embarking aboard “ZEALANDIA” on 8 Dec 1941 for Timor as a Sapper in Engineers Section, Headquarters Group. He and Sapper Richards blew the Dili Aerodrome in the initial assault by the Japanese on 19/20 Feb 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 1st Australian Commando Training Battalion on 14 Apr 1943 and then to 29th Australian Infantry Training Battalion on 28 Apr 1943. He further transferred to 3rd Anti Aircraft and Fortress Company, Royal Australian Engineers (RAE) on 25 Oct 1943, then 25th Fortress Works (RAE) Section on 1 Nov 1944. He was posted to 1st RAE Training Battalion on 19 Jul 1945 and then to Far East Liaison Office on 19 Jul 1945. bob flew to Moratai on 31 Jul 1945 and returned by plane to Australia on 26 Oct 1945. He was discharged on 6 Dec 1945. He was entitled to the 1939-45 Star, Pacific Star, War Medal and Australian Service Medal 1939-45, pictured below.

Christopher was a Corporal in the Citizens Military Forces (Reserves) when he enlisted in the A.I.F. on 29 May 1940 and posted to 2/40th Battalion. He was promoted to Acting Corporal on 8 Jul 1940 and Sergeant on 22 Nov 1940 and embarked for Timor on 8 Dec 1941 and joined the 2/2nd on Timor as a Sergeant from 2/40th Battalion, 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. Like all the men who served on Timor he suffered numerous medical episodes. He was posted to Head Quarters, Tasmania Lines of Communication on 5 Aug 1943 and was discharged on 7 Feb 1945. He was entitled to the 1939-45 Star, Pacific Star, Defence Medal, War Medal and Australian Service Medal 1939-45, pictured below.

John enlisted on 11 Nov 1941 and posted to 2/40th Battalion on 15 Dec 1941. He joined the unit on Timor as a Private from 2/40th Battalion, after the fall of Koepang, approx. March 1942. He was on Berwin Dennis’s full nominal roll which was compiled on Timor in August and September of 1942. He was Wounded in Action on Timor, no date given. 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 aboard S.S. “DUNTROON” on 5 Jun 1945 and joined Headquarters 1st Australian Army on 21 Jun 1945. He returned to Australia aboard “WINCHESTER VICTORY” on 1 Apr 1946 and was discharged on 24 Apr 1946. He was entitled to the 1939-45 Star, Pacific Star, Defence Medal, 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 enlisted on 1 Jul 1940 and was posted to 2/40th Battalion on 2 Jul 1940. He joined the unit on Timor as a Private from 2/40th Battalion, after the fall of Koepang, approx. March 1942. He was on Berwin Dennis’s full nominal roll which was compiled on Timor in August and September of 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 2/12th Battalion on 27 Jul 1943 and embarked with them for New Guinea aboard “KATOOMBA” on 17 Aug 1943 and returned to Australia with them aboard “SEA FLASHER" on 20 May 1944 and was discharged on 17 Oct 1945. He was entitled to the 1939-45 Star, Pacific Star, Defence Medal, War Medal and Australian Service Medal 1939-45, pictured below