Peter Epps
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William enlisted in Citizen Military Force (Reserves)and was posted to 8th Battalion on 29 Jan 1941. He was allocated to "A" Company on 10 Jun 1941 and was posted to Darwin on 4 Feb 1942 as a Specialist Signaller. He transferred to 7th Military District (MD) Signals on 26 May 1942. He transferred to the A.I.F. on 15 Jul 1942 and joined Sparrow Force on Timor, on 15 Sept 1942, after contact had been made with Australia with “Winnie the War Winner” and returned to Darwin on 9 Jan 1943. He transferred to Australian Signals Training battalion on 24 Apr 1943, 38th Australian Wireless Task Section on 26 Jul 1943, 1st Australian Beach Signals Section on 24 Aug 1943. He joined “Z” Special Forces on 8 Jan 1945 and served in Netherlands East Indies 21 Sept to 3 Dec 1945 and was discharged 14 Dec 1945. According to his service papers he was entitled to the 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" and could be entitled to the 1939-45 Star due to change of rules in 1995.
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UNDER CONSTRUCT Need help with this man PLEASE. May have joined under an assumed name. According to NAA there are two files for him with NX200191. 1 has 2/2 Commando Squadron with the name George Jones, the other has 18th Inf Trg Bn with the name Norman David Thomas Jones. IF A FAMILY MEMBER COULD CONTACT US TO HELP WE WOULD BE VERY GRATEFUL.
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Mervyn enlisted on 20 Nov 1941 and was posted to 1st Australian Commando Training Battalion on 15 Feb 1943 and joined the 2/2nd on 15 May 1943 and embarked with the unit for New Guinea aboard “DUNTROON” on 17 Jun 1943 as a Signaller in the Signals Section, 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 in No 2 Section, “A” Troop. He transferred to 32nd Salvage Section on 18 Jun 1945, returned to Australia aboard "DUNTROON" on 1 Aug 1945. He was discharged on 21 Jun 1946. He was entitled to the 1939-45 Star, Pacific Star, War Medal and Australian Service Medal 1939-45, pictured below.
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Kenneth enlisted on 28 Oct 1941 and was a member of the First Reinforcements that arrive at Dili, Timor, aboard "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 Hides” on 16 Dec 1942. After leave and reorganization, he embarked with the unit for New Guinea aboard “DUNTROON” on 17 Jun 1943 as a Trooper in No1 section, “A” Troop and 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. He returned to Australia on 14 Feb 1946 and was discharges on 5 Jun 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
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Alfred was an original member of the unit, embarking aboard “S.S. ZEALANDIA” on 8 Dec 1941 for Timor as a Corporal Armourer in “Q” Staff, Headquarters Group. 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 for New Guinea aboard S.S. “DUNTROON” on 17 Jun 1943 as a Corporal Armourer in “Q” Staff, Headquarters Group. Alfred left the unit on New Guinea on 4 Mar 1944 and returned to Australia aboard "ORMISTON" on 30 Mar 1944. He was discharges on 28 Mar 1945. He was entitled to the 1939-45 Star, Pacific Star, War Medal and Australian Service Medal 1939-45, pictured below
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Frederick enlisted into the Citizen Military Forces and served 155 days with 5th Heavy Artillery and then 2 months with 13th Company, 8th F.T.B. but was discharged both time for being under age. He finally joined the Citizen Military Forces, legally on 25 May 1942 and given Service No N217439 and posted to 35th Battalion on 3 Jul 1942. He transferred to the A.I.F on 29 Aug 1942 and attended 1st Australian Commando Training Squadron on 25 Feb 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, serving in No 1 Section, "A" Troop. He returned to Australia with them aboard “TAROONA” on 3 Sept 1944 and left the unit on return to Australia and was discharged 3 Jul 1946. He was entitled to the 1939-45 Star, Pacific Star, War Medal and Australian Service Medal 1939-45, pictured below. Fred is shown holding the Australian designed and manufactured Owen Sub-machine gun.
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Arthur (Mark) was an original member of the unit, embarking aboard “S.S. ZEALANDIA” on 8 Dec 1941 for Timor as a Private in “Q” Staff, Headquarters Group. He was appointed Lance Corporal on 18 Nov 1942. 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 transferred to 1st Australian Commando Training Squadron on 20 May 1943, as an Instructor and promoted Acting Corporal on 16 Jun 1943. He transferred to “Z” Special Force on 27 Jun 1944 and confirmed Corporal on 5 Jan 1945. He flew to MOROTAI on 25 May 1945 and returned to Australia on 2 Dec 1945. He was discharged on 4 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".
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Ronald enlisted on 24 May 1941, was appointed Lance Corporal on 29 Aug 1941 and was an original member of the unit, embarking aboard “S.S. ZEALANDIA” on 8 Dec 1941 for Timor as a Lance Corporal in No 3 Section, “A” Platoon. He was Mentioned in Despatches for Gallant and Distinguished Service on Timor, LG 25 May 1943 and C.G. No 119-3 Jun 1943. (MID) 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 was promoted Corporal on 15 May 1943 and embarked with the unit for New Guinea aboard S.S. “DUNTROON” on 17 Jun 1943, as a Corporal in No 3 Section, “A” Troop. He was appointed Lance Sergeant on 28 Mar 1944 and 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 Lance Sergeant, once again in No 3 Section, “A” Troop. He returned to Australia on 9 May 1945 and was discharged on 5 May 1946. He was entitled to the 1939-45 Star, Pacific Star, War Medal and Australian Service Medal 1939-45, pictured below.
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Sidney was an original member of the unit, embarking aboard “S.S. ZEALANDIA” on 8 Dec 1941 for Timor as a Private in Headquarters Group of “C” Platoon. He returned to Australia aboard Corvette H.M.A.S. “Kalgoorlie” from BETANO and disembarked at Darwin on 17 Sept 1942. Sidney transferred to the Australian Catering Corps and was discharged on 31 Jan 1946. He was entitled to the 1939-45 Star, Pacific Star, War Medal and Australian Service Medal 1939-45, pictured below
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James enlisted on 29 Apr 1941 with previous service with 13th Field Company Royal Australian Engineers (RAE). He was promoted Acting Corporal on 12 May 1941, then Lance Sergeant 11 Nov 1941and he was confirmed Corporal on 8 Dec 1941. He was an original member of the unit, embarking aboard “S.S. ZEALANDIA” on 8 Dec 1941 for Timor as a Lance Sergeant in the Engineer Platoon. After the campaign on Timor, he embarked with the unit, for Australia aboard the Royal Dutch destroyer “Tjerk Hiddes” on 11 Dec 1942. After the unit arrived back in Australia, he was transferred to 1st Australian Commando Training Battalion to be an Instructor, on 12 Apr 1943. Then transferred to 29th Australian Infantry Training Battalion as an Instructor on 27 Apr 1943 and then back to 1st Australian Commando Training Battalion on 24 Aug 1943. James embarked for New Guinea aboard "KATOOMBA" on 13 Feb 1944 and re-joined the 2/2nd as a Sergeant in the Engineers Platoon on 23 Mar 1944, then transferred to 12th Field Company, Royal Australian Engineers on 13 Jun 1944. He flew to Australia on 21 Jun 1944 to 1st RAE Training Battalion, transferred to 2nd RAE Training Battalion on 8 Oct 1944, then 4th RAE Training Battalion on 2 May 1945. Promoted Acting Sergeant on 29 Jun 1945 and transferred to 3rd RAE Training Battalion same date. Revert to Corporal on 12 Jul 1945. He 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.
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Hi Glen Welcome to the website. When you go to the Nominal Roll page let it download a few seconds and you will get a Word symbol come up, if you click on it you will go to the units nominal roll and see Alfred George Philip PETERS WX16414 served on New Guinea and New Britain with the 2/2nd Commando Squadron. He joined the unit on New Guinea, 25 June 1943. Discharged 3 Apr 1946. Are you related to Alfred, if so we would love to get a photo???? Cheers Peter
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Hi Gregory It’s great that you are writing a book on Australia’s commandos in WWII. Theirs is a story that should be better known by the Australian people. As for photos, our committee’s position is as stated on the footer of our website. The material therein is copyright, except for non-commercial public use, except if otherwise agreed. Several issues arise from your query: · Although we do hold some original photographs, we do not propose to part with them. All of our photos appear on our website. If a photo is to be reproduced for non-commercial public use, the images from the website are those that would ordinarily be used. · As you wish to use photos from the website for publication in a book, where would the profit go? If, for example, the whole of the profits was to be used in accordance with our association’s objects , the committee may indeed agree for specific photos to be used in your book. · The photo of Chapman and Calvert to which you refer (on this page https://doublereds.org.au/forums/topic/85-brigadier-michael-calvert-1913%E2%80%931998-%E2%80%93-trainer-and-long-term-friend-of-the-doublereds/?tab=comments#comment-133) appears in Paul Cleary’s “The Men Who Came Out of the Ground” (https://catalogue.nla.gov.au/Record/4804433). We do not know where else it appears, or where the original is. · As for stories or photos that members might provide to you, you are free to use our public forums to ask people to contact you and provide such input. All of the stories that we have, we have published on our website and they are subject to the copyright described above (except where otherwise stated). I hope that this does not come across as obstructive or unreasonably uncooperative. However, we are an incorporated association and the committee is bound to act at all times in accordance with the association’s objects. If you do have a specific proposal to use photos or other material from the website, please let me know. Kind regards Peter Epps President
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Hi Alanr NX172709 Leslie Keith Richardson is on our Nominal Roll at this https://doublereds.org.au/history/nominal-roll/ we have him serving in New Guinea and New Britain with the unit and Discharged 29 Jan 1946. He is not in the "Men of the 2/2" as this is still under construction, plus we do not have a known photo of him. Does anyone in the family have a suitable one to add to his bio when I get to it??? Cheers Peter
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Hi Chantal Thank you for enquiry nice to hear from you. Keith Hayes & Jack Hansen are definitely both still with us, have spoken to relatives of both men and they are in good health and spirits. But have not had any word on the well being of Fred Otway since 2016. We can only rely on family members to keep us updated. Keith is 97, Jack is 98 and Fred will be 99 this year. Peter Epps President
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Hi Mary Anthony served with the unit on Timor only and due to the circumstances of the campaign, there are very few photos of the men on Timor. Most of our photos are from new Guinea and New Britain. This is what we know of Anthony DAVIDSON, Anthony WX12343 Anthony was an original member of the unit, embarking aboard “S.S. ZEALANDIA” on 8 Dec 1941 for Timor as a Private in the 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 either 11 Dec 1942 or 16 Dec 1942, as the embarkation rolls do not differentiate. Transferred to 1st Australian Commando Training Battalion, 16 Jun 1943 4th Reinforcement Training Battalion, 10 Oct 1943 Headquarters of the above, 10 Jan 1944 2/9th Cavalry Commando Squadron, 3 Jun 1944 2/3rd Australian Tank Attack Regiment, 4 Jan 1945 He was discharged on 19 Mar 1946 and this is the only known photo we have, if you or any other family members have a better photo that we can use please let us know. Have you seen his service record, if not go to this site and type in his name, WW2 and service number https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetrieve/Interface/SearchScreens/NameSearch.aspx If his file is available you can view it on line. If you require any help do not hesitate to contact me. Kind regards Peter
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Robert enlisted on 4 Nov 1939 and joined 2/5th Infantry Battalion, A.I.F. Promoted Temporary Sergeant on 6 Nov 1939 and Sergeant on 24 Dec 1939. He embarked from Melbourne with 2/5th Battalion for Palestine on 14 Apr 1940, arriving on 18 May 1940. He embarked for Greece on 9 Apr 1941 and returned to Middle East in May 1941. Promoted to Acting Warrant Officer 2nd Class on 4 Nov 1941. Embarked for Australia from Middle East on 10 Mar 194 and disembarked Melbourne on 4 Sept 1942. Appointed Lieutenant 26 Nov 1942. Transferred to H.Q. 2nd Aust Motor Brigade on 4 Feb 1943, then to Training Centre Jungle Warfare, 1st Commando Training Battalion, Canungra, Qld on 29 Mar 1943. Embarked from Townsville aboard "KATOOMBA" for Port Moresby on 11 Nov 1943 and joined the 2/2 on New Guinea. Robert returned to Australia with them aboard “TAROONA” on 3 Sept 1944. He transferred out of the unit on 2 Sept 1944. Robert was discharged on 4 May 1945. He was entitled to the 1939-45 Star, Africa Star, Pacific Star, War Medal and Australian Service Medal 1939-45, pictured below.
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Edward enlisted on n13 Jul 1940, was promoted Sergeant on 21 Nov 1941 and was an original member of the unit, embarking aboard “S.S. ZEALANDIA” on 8 Dec 1941 for Timor as a Sergeant in "Q" Staff, Headquarters Group. 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 then to 29th Australian Infantry Training Battalion on 27 Apr 1943. On the 15 Dec 1943, Edward transferred to W.A. Lines of Communication Returnee Depot and was discharged on 24 Jan 1944.
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Les enlisted on 8 Aug 1940 into the Citizen Military Forces (Reserve) with Service No N12782 and was posted to 1st Field Company, Royal Australian Engineers. He was appointed Lance Corporal on 31 Oct 1940 and Acting Corporal on 30 Jun 1941. He reverted to the rank of Sapper on 24 Jul 1942 and transferred to the A.I.F. on 29 Jul 1942 and was posted to Headquarters, Royal Australian Engineers, MILNE FORCE on 8 Aug 1942. He embarked for MILNE BAY, New Guinea on 12 Aug 1942 and transferred to 24th Field Company, Royal Australian Engineers on 19 sept 1942, he was detached to "A" Company, 2/1st Pioneer Battalion on3 Jan 1943. He re-joined the 24th Field Company on 22 Apr 1943 and detached to 15th Australian Field Company from 16 May -28 may 1943. He transferred to the Unit on New Guinea on 25 Jun 1943 as a Sapper in the Engineers Section, Headquarters Group. He was Medevac to Australia aboard “KATOOMBA” on 27 Feb 1944. After medical treatment, he embarked for New Guinea aboard "TAROONA" on 19 Jun 1944 and re-joined the unit on 25 Jun 1944. He returned to Australia with them aboard TAROONA” on 8 Sept 1944. After leave and reorganization, he embarked for New Britain aboard “TAROONA” on 9 Apr 1945 with the unit as a Trooper in the Maintenance Section, Headquarters Group. He was appointed paid Lance Corporal on 29 Aug 1945 and transferred to 29/46th Infantry Battalion on 27 Dec 1945. He returned to Australia aboard "KATOOMBA" on 29 Jan 1946 and was discharged on 21 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".
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James enlisted on 28 Jul 1942 and was posted to 2/1st Armoured Corps Ordnance Field Park. He transferred to 1st Australian Base Ordnance Depot on 27 Sept 1944 and embarked for New Guinea aboard “TAROONA” on 6 Dec 1944, then embarked for New Britain aboard "DUNTROON" on 7 May 1945 and joined the 2/2nd as a Trooper in No 4 Section, "B" Troop on 9 May 1945. He returned to Australia on 18 Oct 1945 and was discharged on 16 Sep 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.
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John embarked with the unit as a Lance Corporal in the Signals Section of Headquarters Group for New Guinea aboard S.S. “DUNTROON” on 17 Jun 1943 and returned to Australia with them aboard “TAROONA” on 3 Sept 1944. He left the unit on return to Australia and was discharged on 19 Oct 1945.
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Hi Pam Depending on the state you live in, I would try the Yellow Business Pages and look up Medal Mounting as most of these supply copy medals. I would suggest you ask for "Court Mounting" as the medals are held secure were as "Swing Mounting" the medals as the name suggests swing on the ribbon and are not as secure. We are trying to get a photo of each member of the unit to put in their Bio, is there any one in the family that has a photo of Bill, preferably in uniform, that we can use, please???? Looking forward to hearing from you. Peter
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G'day John Sadly Archie past away a few years back, we only have 3 unit members with us now. Archie was a gentleman of his time as were all his mates. Would love to have a photo of Robert for our website, many thanks for the offer. My address 60 Simpson Dr, Padbury, WA, 6025 Cheers Peter
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Hi Kevin We don't have Fred Everett NX129380, on our nominal roll. I have checked his service papers and he joined 2 / 6 Independent Company on 30 Sept 1943, transferred out to 2 / 3 Commando on 21 Sept 44. He embarked for Morotai on 22 Jun 1945 and sadly killed in action on 7 Jul 1945. I agree with you that it was a daring and courageous adventure but we have no knowledge of the action. I do know there is a 2 / 3 Commando unit history, you may have to look it up in that publication. Sorry not to be of more help. Regards Peter
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Alan embarked with the unit for New Britain aboard “TAROONA” on 9 Apr 1945 with the unit as a Trooper. He was discharged on 20 Nov 1945. The WW2 Nominal Roll has a post WW2 Service No 58043.
