Peter Epps

John (IRISH) enlisted in the Citizens Military Force (Reserve) with Service No W96031 on 12 Aug 1942 and was posted to 109 Anti Aircraft Training Battery on 1 Sep 1942, then transferred to 421 Heavy Anti Aircraft Gunnery School on 22 Nov 1942. He transferred to 1st Australian Commando Training Battalion on 25 Feb 1943 and joined the 2/2nd on 15 May 1943 at Canungra. John embarked with the unit for New Guinea as a Trooper in No 7 Sect, “C” Troop, aboard “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 7 Sect, “C” Troop. He transferred to 53rd Port Craft Company on 26 Dec 1945 and then to 13th Small Ship Company on 21 Jan 1946. He returned to Australia aboard "WESTRALIA" on 2 May 1946 and was discharged on 18 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

Colin enlisted in the Citizens Military Force (Reserve) with Service No W8735 n 18 Nov 1940 and was posted to 16th Infantry Battalion. He transferred to the A.I.F. on 13 Jul 1942. He was posted to 1st Australian Commando Training Battalion on 25 Feb 1943 and joined the 2/2nd on 15 May 1943. He embarked with the unit for New Guinea as a Trooper in No 3 Sect, “A” Troop aboard “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 3 Sect, “A” Troop. Colin transferred to 29/46th Infantry Battalion on 26 Dec 1945 and returned to Australia aboard "VITO" on 16 Jan 1946. He transferred to 23rd Australian Salvage Company on 1 Mar 1946 and was discharged on 29 May 1946. Colin was made a Life member of the Association in 1972. 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

Michael served in the Citizens Military Forces (CMF) from 1 Oct 1941 to 17 Aug 1942 with service No W12303, in "B" Company, 44th Battalion. He transferred to the A.I.F. on 18 Aug 1942. He was sent to 1st Australian Commando Training Battalion, Canungra on 25 Feb 1943. He joined the unit on 15 May 1943 and embarked with the unit for New Guinea as a Trooper in No 8 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 8 Sect, “C” Troop. He returned to Australia aboard "WESTRALIA" 13 Dec 1945 and was discharged on 7 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".

Jack was an original member of the unit, embarking aboard “S.S. ZEALANDIA” on 8 Dec 1941 for Timor as a Private in No 2 Section, “A” Platoon. Jack was involved with the defence of the Dili Aerodrome. 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 Squadron, 5 Apr 1943, then to 29th Australian Infantry Training Battalion, 1 Sep 1943. Returning to 1st Australian Commando Training Squadron, 10 Oct 1943. Jack rejoined the unit 15 Sept 1944 and after reorganization, he embarked for New Britain aboard “TAROONA” on 9 Apr 1945 with the unit as a Trooper in No 3 Section, “A” Troop. He transferred out of the unit on 8 Nov 1945 and embarked for Australia on 25 Jan 1946. Jack was discharged on 2 May 1946. Jack was made a Life member of the Association in 1970. 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".

Reg was an original member of the unit, embarking aboard “ZEALANDIA” on 8 Dec 1941 for Timor as a Private in No 6 Section, “B” 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 for New Guinea as a Corporal in No 6 Section, “B” Troop aboard “DUNTROON” on 17 Jun 1943 and returned to Australia with them aboard “TAROONA” on 3 Sept 1944. He was discharged on 2 Feb 1945. Reg was made a Life Member of the Association in 1977. He was entitled to the 1939-45 Star, Pacific Star, War Medal and Australian Service Medal 1939-45, pictured below.

Allan was an original member of the unit, embarking aboard “S.S. ZEALANDIA” on 8 Dec 1941 for Timor as a Private in No 4 Section, “B” Platoon. During No 4 Section’s action at Bazaar–Tete, he was severely wounded in action, when the section was ambushed. Allan had most of his lower jaw shot away and it was the care and attention of Alan Luby, Dr Dunkley and the rest of the R.A.P. Section that saved his life. Allan was evacuated from Timor on the 24 May 1942. He was in hospital for approx 18 months receiving treatment and plastic surgery. He was discharged on 3 Jun 1944. He was entitled to the 1939-45 Star, Pacific Star, War Medal and Australian Service Medal 1939-45, pictured below.

Keith enlisted on 2 May 1941 and was an original member of the unit, embarking aboard “ZEALANDIA” on 8 Dec 1941 for Timor as a Private in 7 Section, "A" Platoon. On the morning 20 Feb 1942, most of 7 Section were going into Dili for R & R aboard the ration truck, not realising the Japs had landed during the night, they were ambushed and captured. Keith was a survivor of the ration truck massacre being both shot and bayoneted in the neck, and left for dead. He was found by some Timorese and taken to a village where he was treated by a Timorese lady, Donnabella Martins. The unit was informed he was still alive and he was collected by members of the unit and placed in the very capable hands of Dr Dunkley and his medical team. Once contact had been made with Australia, Keith was evacuated to Darwin from "SUAI" aboard "KURU" on 17 Jul 1942. After hospitalisation Keith joined 2/11th Infantry Battalion, A.I.F. on 21 Jun 1943 and attended 19th Brigade NCO School from 11 Jun to 8 Jul 1944. He was appointed Paid Lance Corporal on 15 Jul 1944 and embarked for New Guinea aboard "KATOOMBA" on 5 Nov 1944. He returned by plane to Australia on 1 May 1945. He attended Land Head Quarters School of Military Intelligence Course No 22, "B" Wing from 7 May to 16 Jun 1945 and qualified. He was promoted Corporal on 18 Jan 1946, Lance Sergeant on 21 Jan 1946 and Acting Sergeant on 11 Mar 1946. Keith was discharged on 28 Aug 1946. He was entitled to the 1939-45 Star, Pacific Star, War Medal and Australian Service Medal 1939-45, pictured below. Keith was made a Life Member of the Unit in 1988 and awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) 2007. Government expresses condolences for the death of Keith Hayes.pdf

William was an original member of the unit, embarking aboard “S.S. ZEALANDIA” on 8 Dec 1941 for Timor as a Sapper in Engineer Section, 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 Aust Commando Training Squadron as an Instructor, 14 Apr 1943, then 29th Aust Infantry Training Battalion, 27 Apr 1943, as an Instructor, then 1st Aust Service Training Battalion, 29 May 1943. He was appointed Lance Corporal on 17 Jul 1943, then paid Lance Corporal on 20 Aug 1943 and Acting Corporal 1 Oct 1943.Transferred to Headquarters Section, 15th Australian Infantry Training Battalion, 29 Nov 1943 and 32nd Australian Infantry Training Battalion, 25 May 1944. He was discharged on 18 Oct 1944. William was made a Life Member of the Association in 2002. He was entitled to the 1939-45 Star, Pacific Star, War Medal and Australian Service Medal 1939-45, pictured below.