1st Enlistment

NX66857 Private
Osmond Albert Lewis
Royal Australian Army Ordnance Corps
2nd Australian Imperial Force

2nd Enlistment

NX6549 Private
Austin Albert Curlewis
2nd/26th Infantry Battalion
27th Infantry Brigade
8th Division
2nd Australian Imperial Force

This file last updated 12 September, 2023 14:09

3rd Enlistment

NX89044 Trooper
Osmond Albert Lewis
2nd/9th Commando Squadron
2nd/6th Commando Regiment
19th Infantry Brigade
6th Division
2nd Australian Imperial Force










Introduction

Identity photographs in Service Record

Identity photographs as
NX89044 Osmond Albert Vaughn LEWIS.
Identity photographs in Service 
						Record

Identity photographs as
NX6549 Austin Albert CURLEWIS.

The following information and chronological table are a summary of the entries from the World War Two Service Records of Osmond Albert Vaughan Lewis, better known by family and friends as 'Mick'.

Before proceeding, I reiterate the message from the index page of this site. We have no idea of the circumstances surrounding the service of men and women now deceased, and the choices they made. It is not for us to judge them.

He had three under-age enlistments into the Australian Army. The earliest was on 7 Jan 1941 under his own name where he was allotted the Army No of NX66857. He was discovered and discharged as being under age on 2 May 1941. Being under age, his discharge was "Non Disciplinary".

In what is a typical Mick Lewis act of bravado, his next enlistment was on the following day, 3 May 1941. This accords family with Audrey Wine's rendition of family legend in that he used the name of Curlewis.

Enlisting as Austin Albert Curlewis, he provided a birth date of 24 Jul 1918 in Burwood and his next-of-kin as Austin Curlewis.

He was allotted the Army Number NX6549 and having arrived in Singapore and then Malaysia for service with the 2nd/26th Australian Infantry Battalion, he came on the losing end of an extended argument with British Military Police.

Because discipline whilst on War Service overseas came under the Army Act, with much greater penalties than in Australia, he was Court Martialled and discharged on return to Australia as under age on 20 Jan 1942. The record of this enlistment is at CURLEWIS AA NX6549 SVCE REC, and the record of his District Court Martial under this name can be seen at CURLEWIS AA NX6549 DCM

Had he remained in Malaysia with the 26th Battalion and survived the short sharp battle with the Imperial Japanese Army, he would have been a Prisoner of War until the Japanese surrender on 12 Sep 1945.

The record of his first underage enlistment, using his own name on 1 Jan 1941 with Army number NX66857 is locatable in the National Archives but has not been digitised and it appears as if the essential (ie very basic) elements of this and the final enlistment as NX89044 have been merged, and can be seen as LEWIS OA NX89044 SVCE REC. He was discharged from the Army on 2 May 1941 and the discharge is noted as 'NON DISCIPLINARY'.

His third and final enlistment was made on 18 Feb 1942, less than a month after his last dismissal from the Army. Using his own name again, but still under the age of 21, he gave his date of birth as 24 July 1920. Army Number NX89044 was allocated.

 

The puzzling aspect of the chronology of the enlistments is that Service Numbers were issued by each state/territory, and I would have expected that the earliest enlistment would have had the lowest Army No and that the second and third numbers allocated would be progressively larger as more numbers were allocated. It would be unwise to question the contemporaneous dates, so rather than try and solve this dilemma, and because the record from his first enlistment cannot be scanned while COVID restrictions are in place, I am content for the time, to leave them as they are.

Although he was again discovered and was to have been discharged, it is likely that his parents agreed to approve his enlistment as the authority for discharge was cancelled. Having been absent without leave he then absconded and was absent for an extended period which resulted in him being charged with desertion, and on 21 Jul 1943 a District Court Martial sentenced him to six month's detention.

After some two months the sentence was remitted by the commander of the 6th Division on 21 Oct 1943 and 'Mick' Lewis then underwent a month of infantry training, was transferred to the Australian Training Centre (Jungle Warfare) at Canungra and subsequently to the 2nd/6th Australian Cavalry Commando Regiment for training in the Atherton Tablelands before arriving in New Guinea on 21 Oct 1944 and was posted to the 2nd/9th Australian Commando Squadron on 7 Dec 1944.

During those periods when he was not incapacitated due to illness, mainly malaria, he took part in operations against the Japanese until 15 Aug 1945 when the war ended.

Discharged on 15 Apr 1946 due to demobilisation he attempted to rejoin the Army in early 1957 but his disciplinary record was against him and his application was declined.

On 29 May 1944 Mick married Irene Lillian Young, in Chatswood, but they divorced in 1949. If there were any children to that marriage they are not known to his subsequent family and privacy issues preclude obtaining that information from NSW Births Deaths and Marriages. Mick married Patricia Mary Therese Briggs on 25 Nov 1950 and Irene Young also married again in 1950.

This service biography prepared by Clive Mitchell Taylor, Dec 2021 - Jan 2022, for 'Mick' and Pat Lewis' children: Gail O'Brien nee Lewis; Michael Lewis; Glen Lewis; Jeannette Deakin nee Lewis; Jaqueline Lewis; and the late Brett Lewis; as well as niece Margaret Wine.

It is by far the most complex record of service that I have encountered, and there are still documents to be digitised, hopefully when the present Covid restrictions are relieved.

In choosing to treat his enlistments as a chronological record, I have first transcribed his CURLEWIS Attestation Form, then the LEWIS Attestation Form. Following these documents I have transcribed all of the occurences in chronological order, highlighting the enlistment in which they occured.

Because Mick Lewis' war service was with the Commando Squadron and his other enlistments were both short and incomplete, I have chosen to record the history of that Regiment only.

Abbreviations and Acronyms

Abbreviations or acronyms which have a dotted underline can be expanded by moving the cursor over the term - e.g. WIA. The cursor will be replaced by ? and the expanded abbreviation will be displayed. This is gradually being incorporated into the site, replacing the the current expansion of abbreviations. There may be a discernable delay of about a second before the expansion is first provided.

There is also a separate list of abbreviations which is available through the menu at the top of this page or the hyperlink here.  Abbreviations are inconsistent, even within a single occurence where a term is abbreviated.

There are a number of sources for tracing abbreviations used in Australian and New Zealand service records. Those used when operating with the British or US forces can generally be found, especially in World War 1. Abbreviations used solely within Australia in WW2 are most difficult to trace, particularly when they are regional. Sometimes a 'best guess' is the only answer.

Duplicated Pages

Some of the service information may appear to be duplicated although individual occurrences are not in the same order and different abbreviations used. This occurs when the unit and Army records are amalgamated upon discharge or death in Service.

Service Numbers

Service numbers in WW1 were unique to the unit (e.g. Battalion) or Corps (e.g. Artillery). In WW2 Service Numbers were unique to the State in which they were allotted. For further information about identity numbers for Service personnel, see Regimental and Service Numbers

Dates of Occurrence and Reporting

The date of reporting an incident may be hours, days or months after the date on which incident actually occurred.

The original service record is amended only when the incident is reported which means that events are not necessarily recorded in in strict chronological sequence. This is the date shown on the left of the page of the original record, and also on the left in my transcription but readers should note that at times there may be no date of reporting at all, particularly when service personel are repatriated for discharge at the end of hostilities.

To assist the reader, when transcribing the military record I have done my best to record events in their chronological sequence. This is date is on the right of the page of the original record and also on the right in my transcription.

For clarity I have transcribed all dates into the format d MMM yyyy.


Geographic Commands and Line of Control

https://www.awm.gov.au/articles/encyclopedia/military-districts, extracted 20 Nov 2021

In 1911 the boundaries for the military districts were changed. Although based on states, the new districts did not strictly follow state boundaries:

     1 Military District (1MD) � Queensland and the 12th Battalion area, including Casino, Lismore, Grafton, and the Northern Territory.
     The territories of Papua and New Guinea were allocated to 1MD after the First World War.

     2 Military District (2MD) � New South Wales (excluding: the 12th Battalion area as above; Broken Hill, Torrowangee and Silverton;
     and the 44th Battalion area, including Corowa, South Corowa, Mulwala, Moama, Mathoura, and Deniliquin) and the 57th Battalion
     area of Victoria, including Wodonga, Barnawartha, Chiltern and Tallangatta.

     3 Military District (3MD) � Victoria (excluding the 57th Battalion area as above), including the 44th Battalion area as above.

     4 Military District (4MD) � South Australia and Broken Hill, Torrowangee, and Silverton in New South Wales.

     5 Military District (5MD) � Western Australia, and

     6 Military District (6MD) � Tasmania.

Abbreviations for the Military Districts include e.g. 1MD, 1 MD, 1/MD

At the beginning of the Second World War, the districts were reorganised into geographic commands and each area was administered by a Line of Communications:

     Northern Command � Queensland (1MD)

     Eastern Command � New South Wales (2MD)

     Southern Command � Victoria, South Australia, Tasmania (3MD, 4MD, 6MD)

     Western Command � Western Australia (5MD)

Abbreviations for Commands include e.g. NC, N/C, N Comd

Abbreviations for Lines of Command include e.g. EC LOC, E/C L/C, EComd LOC etc

Early in 1942 the army command structure was again reorganised based on a system of operation headquarters:

     New South Wales and Victoria (Northern and Eastern Commands) became the First Australian Army;

     Victoria, South Australia, and Tasmania (Southern Command) became the Second Australian Army.

     Western Australia (Western Command) was replaced with 3 Australian Corps;

     7MD was renamed Northern Territory Force; and

     8MD became New Guinea Force.

Each area was administered by a Line of Communications.

 


Enlistment Details - Attestation Form Dated 3 May 1941

AUSTRALIAN MILITARY FORCES.

ATTESTATION FORM

FOR SPECIAL FORCES RAISED FOR SERVICE IN AUSTRALIA OR ABROAD


Army Number

NX6549

What is your name?

Austin Albert Curlewis

Unit

8 Trg Bn [Later 26th Infantry Battalion]

Enlisted for Service at

Recruiting Depot, Martin Place, N.S.W.

Date of Enlistment

3 May 1941

Where were you born?

Burwood, New South Wales

Are you a natural born of naturalised British Subject? If the latter, papers are to be produced

Natural Born

What is your age and date of birth?

Age 22-9/12, Date of Birth 24 July 1918

What is your normal trade or occupation?

Labourer

Are you married, single or widower?

Single

Give details of previous Military service.

AMF No     Rank
[Struck through]

If now serving, give particulars.

[Struck through]

Who is your actual next of kin? (Order of relationship - wife, eldest son, eldest daughter, father, mother, eldest brother, eldest sister, eldest half-brother, eldest half-sister)

Austin Albert Curlewis
Duck Creek [Cheeky!]
Old Bonalbo
Father

What is your permanent address?

As above

What is your religious denomination?

R.C.

Have you ever been convicted by a Civil Court? If so, at what Court and for what offence?

No

Medical Classification

Class I [Unfit and Temporarily Unfit have both been struck through]

 

Enlistment Details - Attestation Form Dated 18 Feb 1942

AUSTRALIAN MILITARY FORCES.

ATTESTATION FORM.

FOR SPECIAL FORCES RAISED FOR SERVICE IN AUSTRALIA OR ABROAD


Army Number

NX89044

What is your name?

Osmond Albert Lewis

Unit

1 TB

Enlisted for Service at

Paddington, N.S.W.

Date of Enlistment

18th Feb 1942 [Form completed on the 17th, sworn in next day]

Where were you born?

Burwood, New South Wales

Are you a natural born of naturalised British Subject? If the latter, papers are to be produced

Australian

What is your age and date of birth?

Age 22 21 Yrs, 6 months Date of Birth 24 July 1920

What is your normal trade or occupation?

Labourer

Are you married, single or widower?

Single

Give details of previous Military service.

AMF No NX66857, Rank Pte, Unit AAOC, TD

If now serving, give particulars.

[No entry in this section]

Who is your actual next of kin? (Order of relationship - wife, eldest son, eldest daughter, father, mother, eldest brother, eldest sister, eldest half-brother, eldest half-sister)

D.D.S.T. Sgt [later Lieutenant] O.A. Lewis N104629
Military Camp, Parkes, NSW
Father

What is your permanent address?

75 Minnamorra Avenue, Earlewood, Sydney

What is your religious denomination?

R.C.

Have you ever been convicted by a Civil Court? If so, at what Court and for what offence?

No

Which if any of the following Educational Qualifications do you possess?

1. Certificate for entry to Secondary School
2. Intermediate
3. Leaving
4. Leaving Honours
5. Technical [Annotated "1A"]
6. University Degree
7. Other Diplomas

Medical Classification

Class I [Unfit and Temporarily Unfit both struck through]

 

Date
Reported

Received
From

Chronological Events

Medical     Other     Disciplinary

Date of
Occurence

Place of
Occurence

THE FOLLOWING OCCURENCES RELATE TO ENLISTMENT AS NX68857 PRIVATE OSMOND ALBERT VAUGHAN LEWIS
FURTHER DETAIL TO BE ADDED WHEN THE FILE IS DIGITISED.

7 Jan 1941

Enlisted [Underage], allotted Army Number NX66857

7 Jan 1941

During this service he was AWL on three occasions. He was fined
£1-5-0 and received 14 days detention.

Discharged under age - NON DISCIPLINARY

2 May 1941

THE FOLLOWING OCCURENCES RELATE TO ENLISTMENT AS NX6594 PRIVATE AUSTIN ALBERT CURLEWIS

5 May 11941

General Details Depot

Marched in on enlistment

3 May 1941

Sydney

7 May 1941

General Details Depot

Marched out to 8 Trg Bn Dubbo

6 May 1941

Sydney

17 May 1941

CO 8 T. Bn

Taken on strength

3 May 1941

Dubbo

28 Jun 1941

CO 8 Trg Bn

A.W.L.
From 0700 hrs 14 Jun 1941
To      2140 hrs 19 Jun 1941
Award: Fined 15/-  20 Jun 1941

14 Jun 1941

Dubbo

25 Jun 1941

DRO E/C

Deleted from [Embarkation] Roll

27 Jun 1941

Sydney

7 Jul 19141

OC Troops Met Area

(1)     AWL
        From 2359 hrs 24 Jun 1941
        To     1100 hrs 30 Jun 1941
(2)     Refusing to give information relating to his enlistment to his
        enlistment to his superior officer.
        Award: 28 Days Detention 4 Jul 1941

24 Jun 19141

Sydney

10 Jul 1941

CO 8 T. Bn

Detatched for Detention

8 Jul 1941

Dubbo

29 Jul 1941

CO 8 T. Bn

Rejoined Unit ex Detention

27 Jul 1941

Dubbo

29 Jul 1941

CO 8 T. Bn

Reference R/O 49/3624. Remission of 2 days of sentence granted

29 Jul 1941

Dubbo

29 Jul 1941

OC Troops

Embarked H.M.T. "FF" [from Sydney to Singapore.]

["FF" appears to be code for a particular transport but I am unable to locate any further detail at this time. Note that the same occured on return to Australia on HMT "A"]

29 Jul 19141

Sydney

8 Sep 1941

G.B.D

Disembarked ex H.M.T. "FF"

16 Aug 1941

Singapore

8 Sep 1941

G.B.D.

Marched in ex H.M.A.T. "FF"

16 Aug 1941

Johore [Bahru]

20 Sep 1941

C.R.S.

Administration: C.R.S. G.B.Depot (Mumps)

16 Sep 1941

Johore

27 Sep 1941

2 B.C.D.

Discharged to G.B. Depot

27 Sep 1941

Singapore

11 Oct 1941

G.B.D.

Marched out to Detn Bk/room

11 Oct 1941

Johore

20 Oct 1941

G.B.D.

District Court Martial held at Johore Bahru 11 Sep 1941

11 Sep 1941

Johore Bahru

Charge:
(1)    Absent Without Leave
        From 0900 hrs 25 Aug 1941 to 1820 hrs 26 Aug 1941
        Total 33 hrs, 20 min - Army Act 15(1)

25 Aug 1941

Johore Bahru

(2)    Resisting an escort, whose duty it was to apprehend him -
        Army Act 10(3)

26 Aug 1941

Singapore

(3)    Conduct to the prejudice of good order & military discipline
        in that he struck L/Cpl J. Marr, a member of the British
        Military Police, with his fist. Army Act 40

26 Aug 1941

Singapore

Finding:- Guilty on all charges
Sentence:- 140 (one hundred and forty days detention)

11 Sep 1941

Singapore

Confirmation:- The sentence was duly confirmed by Major General H. Gordon Bennett C.B. C.M.G. D.S.O. V.D. GOC AIF Malaya on

7 Oct 1941

Singapore

1 Nov 1941

Detn Barracks

Offence: Willfully destroyed Govt Property valued 28/-
Award: 12/- damages and 14 days detention by Capt Miller Comdt Detn Barracks. Army Act 24(4)

22 Oct 1941

Johore

28 Nov 1941

OI/C D.R.O E/C

Returned to Australia Per "A" [No indication of ship's name]

28 Nov 1941

Sydney

28 Nov 1941

APM Bourke St E/C

M/I ex O'Seas sentenced in Bourke St, 610 hrs 28 Nov 1941

28 Nov 1941

Sydney

19 Jan 1942

CO G.D.D.

Marched in ex Holdsworthy [sic], Period of Detention expired [Holsworthy]

19 Jan 1942

SYDNEY

19 Jan 1942

E/C Detn Bks Holdsworthy

Reference D/O 12/3664 Granted a remission of 12 days under the Aus Mil (Place of Detention Regulations) by C ommandant E/C Detention Barracks Holdsworthy [sic]

19 Jan 1942

Sydney

19 Jan 1942

E/C Detn Bks

March out to G.D.D. Period of detention expired

19 Jan 1942

Holdsworthy [sic]

20 Jan 1942

OI/C DRO E/C

Discharged S.N.L.R. DAAG I&R Auth 100115

Sydney

21 Jan 1942

Med Board

No disability - Confirmed

21 Jan 1942

Sydney

THE FOLLOWING OCCURENCES RELATE TO ENLISTMENT AS NX 809044 SPR OSMOND ALBERT LEWIS

21 Feb 1942

General Details Depot

Marched in to General Details Depot

18 Feb 42

Sydney

24 Feb 1942

General Details Depot

Marched out to 1 Trg Bn

19 Feb 42

Sydney

4 Mar 1942

1 Trg Bn

Taken on Strength

18 Feb 1942

Dubbo

3 Apr 1942

1 Trg Bn

Charge: AWL from 0930 hrs 16 Mar 1942 to 2200 hrs 17 Mar 1942
Award : Fined £1-10-0 on 18 Mar 1942

16 Mar 1942

Dubbo

8 Jul 1942

1 Trg Bn

Charge: Failed to appear on parade
Award : Fined £2-10-0

27 Jun 42

Dubbo

8 Jul 1942

1 Trg Bn

Charge: Prejudicial conduct
Award : Fined £3-0-0

2 Jul 1942

Dubbo

26 Aug 1942

DRO

Deleted from Emb Roll (Under Age)

23 Aug 1942

Sydney

3 Sep 1942

13 CH

Admitted,Headaches. Transferred to 103 CD

24 Aug 1942

Dubbo

3 Sep 1942

103 CD

Admitted [Illegible] Transferred to X List

26 Aug 1942

Sydney

5 Sep 1942

DAAG(R)

To be discharged, being under the age of 21 years

5 Sep 1942

Sydney

5 Sep 1942

DAAG(R)

A pencil document, PARTICULARS OF DISCHARGE PROCEEDING (FORM P.15) [see Page 14 of Service Record] was raised but does not appear to have been executed, possibly as a result of the ensuing abscension and later, the shortage of recruits.

7 Sep 1942

Vic Bks Paddington

Correct date of birth for above-named soldier 24 Jul 1924

5 Sep 1942

Sydney

30 Sep 1942

APM

Warrant for arrest (Absconding) issued

26 Sep 1942

Sydney

15 Oct 1942

103 CD

C of I held Sydney 15 Oct 1942.
Declared AWL from 1345 hrs 25 Sep 1942
Deficiencies Nil

15 Oct 1942

Sydney

30 Oct 1942

DAAG(R&M)

263886 Advises previous authority for discharge cancelled

30 Oct 1942

Sydney

26 Jan 1943

APM

Warrant for arrest on charge of absconding

9 Jan 1943

Sydney

11 Feb 1943

103 CD

C of I held Sydney 29 Jan 1943. Declared he absented himself without leave from 1000 hrs 18 Jan 1943 and he is still so absent. Deficiencies Nil [See previous note]
103 CD memo 42/27/40 (above named soldier was again arrested by NSW L of C Provost Corps on his release from Long Bay Goal at 2230 hrs 12 Dec 1942. He was returned to this depot and is now under close arrest 17 Dec 1942

29 Jan 1943

Ingleburn

9 Feb 1943

103 CD

Declared Deserter

29 Jan 1943

Sydney

28 Jul 1943

103 CD

Admitted, Headaches ex APM

13 Jul 1943

Ingleburn

28 Jul 1943

103 CD

Discharged

21 Jul 1943

Ingleburn

13 Aug 1943

4 LOC Sub Area

DCM held Liverpool 21 Jul 1943.
Charge (1) Desertion from 1400 hrs 25 Sep 1942 to 2030 hrs 12 Dec 1942
Charge (2) Desertion from 1000 hrs 8 Jan 1943 to 1999 hrs 12 Jul 1943
Plea: Not Guilty Finding: Guilty of both charges with the exception that on the 1st charge the period is from 1400 hrs 25 Sep 1942 to 30 Nov 1942 and on the 2nd charge from 1000 hrs 8 Jan 1943 to 10 Feb 1943.
Review 21 Oct 1943 [Sentences were routinely reviewed by Judge Advocate General staff.]
Sentence: To undergo detention for six (6) months 21 July 1943. The accused was in custody awaiting trial thirty six (36) days.

21 Jul 1943

Liverpool

21 Jul 1943

5 ADB

Marched in for Detention

21 Jul 1943

Holsworthy

9 Aug 1943

5 ADB

March out to 14 ADB

2 Aug 1943

Holsworthy

7 Aug 1943

14 ADM

Marched in for 6 months detention

3 Aug 1943

Tamworth

22 Sep 1943

APM NSW

Warrant for arrest issued 9 Jan 1943 withdrawn

17 Sep 1943

Sydney

29 Oct 1943

HQ NSW LOC Area

Reference RO 101 SW 3238 of 17 Aug 1943, sentence suspended as from 21 Oct 1943

21 Oct 1943

Sydney

29 Oct 1943

GDD

Marched [in] from detention

21 Oct 1943

Sydney

1 Nov 1943

GDD

Marched out to 1AIT Bn ex 14 ADB

31 Oct 1943

Dubbo

4 Nov 1943

1 AIT Bn

Marched in ex GDD ex 14 ADB

31 Oct 1943

Dubbo

10 Nov 1943

IT Bn

Marched out to 1 Aust Trg Centre (JW)

9 Nov 1943

Qld L of C Area

13 Nov 1943

1 APSC

Offence: AWL from 1300 hrs 14 Dec 1943 to 2300 hrs
Award: Fined £3 by OC 1 APSC
Automatic Forfeiture 1 days pay

14 Nov 1943

Qld

18 Nov 1943

4ARTB

Marched in ex 1ARTB

15 Nov 1943

Canungra

9 Dec 1943

22 ACH

Admitted (Diarrhoea)

2 Dec 1943

Canungra

17 Dec 1943

22 ACH

Discharged [from] 22 ACH

7 Dec 1943

Canungra

12 Dec 1943

Entry Deleted

Marched out to 1 AUst Cav Commando Trg Bn

11 Dec 1943

Canungra

24 Dec 1943

1 ACCTS

Offence: AWL from 1300 hrs 14 Dec 1943 to 0600 hrs 15 Dec 1943.
Award : Fined 10/- by OC 1ACCTS 24 Dec 1943.
A/F 1 days pay.

18 Dec 1943

Canungra

13 Jan 1944

 

March out to 1 APSC for o/m to 2/6 CCR Reg

13 Jan 1944

Canungra

21 Jan 1944

2/6 Cav Regt

TOS from 1 ACCTS

[2/9 Commando Squadron raised Jan 1944 as part of the 6th Cavalry Commando Regiment, attached to the 6th Division with a strength of 17 officers and 253 other ranks. Following the unit's formation, the squadron began training on the Atherton Tablelands in Queensland, before embarking for New Guinea in Late 1944.
[See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2/9th_Commando_Squadron_(Australia)]

21 Jan 1944

Qld

24 Jan 1944

104 CCS

Admitted 104 CCS (PUO) trans to 'X' list

24 Jan 1944

Qld

8 Feb 44

104 CCS

Discharged[from] 104 Aust CCS to Unit (Malaria BT)

8 Feb 1944

Qld

9 Feb 1944

2/6 CCR

Rejoined unit from 104 Aust CCS

8 Feb 1944

Qld

24 Feb 1944

104 CCS

Admitted to 104 CCS (Malaria) and transfered to X List

23 Feb 1944

Qld

2 Mar 1944

2/2 AGH

Discharged 2/2 Aust General Hospital to Unit

1 Mar 1944

Qld

1 Mar 1944

Legal Service

Reference 144/5844/43 Balance of unserved sentence remitted by Comd 6th Aust Div
Nett forfeiture 436 440 days pay.

1 Mar 1944

SOA

4 Mar 1944

2/6 CCr

Rejoined Unit from 2/2 AGH

2 Mar 1944

Qld

29 May 1944

DFO

Married, Next of Kin now Wife
[Wife Irene Lillian Young
Marriage recorded in Chatswood NSW Reg No 8869/1944]

1 May 1944

Qld

4 Aug 1944

2/6 CCR

Granted Proficiency Pay

13 May 1944

Qld

7 Jun 1944

2/6 CCR

Next of Kin address changed as shown [3 Davidson Ave, Warrawee, NSW]

22 Jun 1944

Qld

15 Nov 1944

 

1 Aust Adv [sic] Embarked at TOWNSVILLE on 'KATOOMBA'

14 Oct 1944

TOWNSVILLE

15 Nov 1944

 

2nd Echelon Disembarked at AITAPE

21 Oct 1944

New Guinea

15 Dec 1944

104 CCS

Evac to 104 CCS PUO and transferred to X List

4 Dec 2944

New Guinea

29 Dec 1944

104 CCS

Discharged 104 CCS to Unit

11 Dec 1944

New Guinea

16 Dec 1944

2/9 AC Sqn

Rejoined unit from 104 CCS

11 Dec 1944

New Guinea

7 Dec 1944

2/6 CCR

Transferred to 2/9 Aust Commando Squadron

27 Dec 1944

New Guinea

7 Dec 1944

2/9 AC Sqn

TOS from 2/6 Aust Cav (Commando) Regt

27 Dec 1944

New Guinea

31 Mar 1945

2/9 AC Sqn

Charge: Act to the prejudice of good order and military discipline - unlawfully in possession of stores [grenades] the property of Department of Defence NIAP
Award: Fined £5 by OC 2 AC Sqn on Paybook No229939 Line No85

23 Mar 1945

New Guinea

20 Apr 1945

22/9 AC Sqn

Forfeited Proficiency Pay

23 Mar 1945

New Guines

8 May 1945

2/11 Aust Gen Hosp

Evacuated to 2/11 Australian General Hospital (PUO) and transferred to X List

19 Apr 1945

New Guinea


Date
Reported

Received
From

Event/Casualty

Medical     Other     Disciplinary

Date of
Occurence

Place of
Occurence

15 May 1945

2/11 AGH

Evacuated 2/11 Aust Gen Hosp (Malaria MT) to 3/14 Aust Fd Amb.

1 May 1945

New Guinea

21 Jul 1945

2/11 Aust Gen Hosp

Offence: Conduct to the prejudice of good order and military discipline - at 12 RSU on 3 May 1945 was unlawfully in possession of 8 hand grenades believed to be the property of 12 RSU (RAAF
Award: Fined £3-0-0 by Commandant 2/11 Australian General Hospital
Paybook No C22993 Line No 96

3 May 1945

New Guinea

18 May 1945

3/14 Fd Amb

Discharged 3/14 Fd Amb to Unit

15 May 1945

New Guinea

18 May 1945

2/9 AC Sqn

X List rejoined from 3/14 Aust Fd Amb

18 May 1945

New Guinea

25 May 1945

3/14 Aust Fd Amb

Evacuated to 3/14 Aust Field Ambulance (PUO)

25 May 1945

New Guinea

8 Jun 1945

3/14 Aust Fd Amb

Ref RO 8/ /45 now placed on X List

1 Jun 1945

New Guinea

2 Jul 19145

3/14 Fd Amb

Discharged 3/14 Field Ambulance (Mal MT) to NGDD

12 Jun 1945

New Guinea

4 Jul 1945

3/14 Aust Fd Amb

Evacuated to 3/14 Aust Fd Amb (Mal BT) from NGDD AITAPE

16 Jun 1945

New Guinea

17 Jul 1945

3/14 Aust Fd Amb

Evacuated 3/14 Aust Fd Amb (Hookworm) to 2/11 Aust Gen Hosp

30 Jun 1945

New Guinea

28 Jul 1945

2/11 Aust Gen Hosp

Discharged from 2/11 Aust Gen Hosp (Mal MT) - Ankylos & [illegible]) to NGDD Aitape

18 Jul 1945

New Guinea

2/9th Commando Squadron along with the rest of the 2/6th Cavalry Commando Regiment were engaged in operations against the Japanese in the Boiken area. This commenced in May and continued through until August when hostilities came to an end on 15 Aug 1945.

31 Jul 1945

2/9 AC Sqn

Offence: Conduct to the prejudice of good order and military discipline
Award: Admonished by Officer Commanding 2/9 Commando Squadron

31 Jul 1945

New Guinea

12 Dec 1945

2/9 AC Sqn

Transferred to 34 Inf Bde. [2/9th Commando Squadron disbanded]

1 Dec 1945

New Guinea

11 Feb 1946

Embarked at Wewak per LST 8

3 Feb 1946

New Guinea

   

Disembarked at Morotai

8 Feb 1946

Morotai

8 Feb 1946

34 Bde Rec Camp

Marched in from 2/9 Commando Squadron, Marched out to 67th Battalion


The 34th Brigade was formed after the end of World War 2 and comprised the 65th, 66th and 67th Battalions. After concentrating on Morotai the 34th Brigade moved to Japan as part of the British Commonwealth Occupation Force in Feb 1946. In 1947 the 34th Brigade became the basis of the post-war Australian Regular Army and two of the Battalions were withdrawn to Australia. The 65th, 66th and 67th Battalions became respectively the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Battalions of the Australian Regiment on 23 November 1948 and received their royal title on 10 Mar 1949.

8 Feb 1946

Morotai

9 Feb 1946

67 Bn

Marched in from 34 Brigade Rec Camp

8 Feb 1946

Morotai

6 Mar 1946

2/9 Gen Hosp

Evacuated to 2/9 Aust General Hospital and transferred to X List (PUO)

6 Mar 1946

Morotai


Date
Reported

Received
From

Event/Casualty

Medical     Other     Disciplinary

Date of
Occurence

Place of
Occurence

16 Mar 1946

69 Inf Bn

Transfered out to Holding Strength R.R. & GDD 2MD

16 Mar 1946

Morotai

26 Mar 1946

EC L & TD

Emplaned MOROTAI, Deplaned Townsville and TOHS ECLTD

5 Apr 1946

LTCOL R. BALE, CO EC L & TD

DETERMINATION OF DEMOBILIZATION PRIORITY
[See folio 4 of the Service Record]

AMF DISCHARGED AMR 253(A) (I)(N)
DD ON ACCOUNT OF DEMOBILIZATION

15 Apr 1946

NSW

Hand written letter to OC Army Medal Section applies for war medals, which implies that they were not awarded when issued after the war, possibly due to Army not having a forwarding address current at that time. A penciled annotation to this letter lists his entitlements as:
39/45 [1939-1945 Star]
Pac   [Pacific Star]
War   [War Medal 1939-1945]
ASM   [Australian Service Medal 1939-1945]

See folio 15 of Service Record.


Medals and Dress Embellishments

1939-1945 Star, Pacific Star, War Medal 1939-1945, and Australia Service Medal 1939-1945.


Use the hyperlinks or scroll down to see further information.


Rifle, Short Magazine Lee-Enfield .303in, Mark III
Rifle, Small Magazine Lee-Enfield .303in, Mark III with sword bayonet

2nd/9th Cavalry Commando Squadron

Source: Australian War Memorial https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2/9th_Cavalry_Commando_Regiment_(Australia)
UNIT SHOULDER PATCH
2/9TH CAVALRY COMMANDO SQUADRON

[https://www.commando.org.au/Commando History/WWII Commando History/]

The 2/9th Commando Squadron was a commando unit raised by the Australian Army for service in World War II. Raised in 1944, the unit saw action late in the war against the Japanese during the Aitape-Wewak campaign taking part in number of long range patrol operations across the Torricelli Range in New Guinea before being used in an amphibious landing near Wewak in May 1945. After the war the unit was disbanded.

The 2/6th Cavalry Regiment was formerly an armoured reconnaissance regiment attached to the 6th Division and saw action in the North Africa campaign and in the Middle east during 1940-41, where the unit distinguished itself at Bardia, Tobruk and in Syria. This explains the early battle honours held by the regiment.

In January 1944, the 6th Division raised the 2/6th Cavalry (Commando) Regiment, consisting of the 2/7th and the newly raised 2/9th and 2/10th Commando Squadrons. Throughout the year, the regiment trained together on the Atherton Tablelands, Queensland, before sailing to New Gunea, to support the 6th Division's Aitape-Wewak campaign.

In October and November Australian forces began relieving the American garrison at Aitape. At the end of October The 2/9th Commando Squadron took over the American observation posts at Palauru, Kamti and Aiterap, and the commandos frequently patrolled across the Torricellis Ranges.

While in support of the 2/8th Infantry Battalion in January 1945 the 2/9th patrolled the hills south of the Danmap River and made contact with the 2/7th Squadron at Walum. Thereafter the commandos crossed the Torricelli Ranges and moved down its southern slopes in to the foothills. The regiment as a whole was particularly active at this time patrolling the many villages in the area. At the end of February the 2/9th was placed under the command of the 2/3rd Machine Gun Battalion, and together they cleared the Japanese from Anumb and maintained posts at Walum, Aboama and Malin. In March the commandos and a company from the machine gunners advanced to Arohemi. After six days of fighting, on 9 March, Arohemi was captured with the Australians having cleared the Japanese west of the Anumb River. With Arohemi's capture the commandos returned to Aitape for a rest.

In May the 2/9th was once again in the forefront of operations, when the regiment made an amphibious landing at Dove Bay, east of Wewak, as part of Farida Force. The 2/9th and 2/10th come ashore in the first waves to establish the beachhead. The 2/10th was given the task of defending the perimeter, while the next day the 2/9th patrolled west along the coast towards Mandi.

Later in May and into June, the regiment was attached to the 19th Brigade, which was responsible for the area between Wewak and Mandi, and defended the Mandi-Brandi area. The regiment's task was to hold the Brandi Plantation and the cross roads at Mandi.

Thereafter the 2/9th had a comparatively quiet time. After the war it returned to Australia at the end the year and the 2/9th Commando Squadron was subsequently disbanded.


Battle Honours of the affiliated units

North Africa 1940-41, Bardia 1941, Capture of Tobruk, Derna, Giarabub, Syria 1941, Merjayun, Adlun, Sidon, Damour, South West Pacific 1945, Liberation of Australian New Guinea, Abau-Malin, Anumb River, Maprik, Wewak, Wirui Mission.


 

1939-1945 Star

1929-1945 Star

The 1939-45 Star is awarded for service between 3 September 1939 and 2 September 1945 for:

  • a period of six months (180 days) operational service for RAN and Army personnel and RAAF non-air crew personnel;
  • a period of two months operational service for air crew personnel; and/or
  • a period of six months service at sea for Merchant Navy provided at least one voyage was made through one of the specified areas of active operations;

The 1939-45 Star is awarded to Australian Civilian Personnel who served afloat with the United States Army Small Ships Section between 8 December 1941 and 2 September 1945. Eligibility is the same as that for Merchant Navy personnel. See required evidence to support a claim.

Design

The six–pointed star is yellow copper zinc alloy. The obverse has a central design of the Royal and Imperial cypher, surmounted by a crown. The cypher is surrounded by a circlet containing the words "The 1939-45 Star".

Stars issued to Australian personnel have recipient names engraved on the plain reverse.

Ribbon

The ribbon has three vertical stripes of dark blue, red and light blue. The dark blue stripe represents the Naval Forces and the Merchant Navy, the red stripe the Armies and the light blue stripe the Air Forces.

Clasps

The "BATTLE OF BRITAIN" clasp was awarded to eligible air crew involved in the Battle of Britain.

The "BOMBER COMMAND" clasp was introduced in 2012 and is awarded to eligible Bomber Command aircrew.

When the ribbon is worn alone the standard silver rosette ribbon emblem is worn to denote the award of a clasp. The silver rosette emblem is not supplied by the Directorate of Honours and Awards.


Pacific Star

The Pacific Star is awarded for entry into operational service in the Pacific Theatre of Operations between 8 December 1941 and 2 September 1945.

Navy and Merchant Navy personnel are eligible if the 1939-45 Star is earned by six months service or if they entered the Pacific Theatre between 2 March 1945 and 2 September 1945.

The Pacific Star is awarded to Australian Civilian Personnel who served afloat with the United States Army Small Ships Section. Eligibility is the same as that for Merchant Navy personnel. See required evidence to support a claim.

Design

The six�pointed star is yellow copper zinc alloy. The obverse has a central design of the Royal and Imperial cypher, surmounted by a crown. The cypher is surrounded by a circlet containing the words 'The Pacific Star'.

Stars issued to Australian personnel have recipient names engraved on the plain reverse.

Ribbon

The ribbon has central yellow and green stripes that represent the forests and the beaches of the Pacific, flanked dark blue, light blue and red stripes that represent the service of the Naval Forces and Merchant Navy, the Air Forces and the Armies.

Clasp

The Burma clasp was issued for the Pacific Star.

When the ribbon is worn alone a silver rosette ribbon emblem is worn to denote the award of a clasp.


 

War Medal 1939-1945

[Extract from Defence Honours and Awards website -Imperial Awards

The medal is cupro-nickel with the crowned effigy of King George VI on the obverse.

The reverse has a lion standing on a double-headed dragon. The top of the reverse shows the dates 1939 and 1945.

The rim is plain, and the medal hangs from a suspender. The ribbon colours of red, white and blue represent the colours of the Union Flag.

The War Medal 1939-45 was awarded for 28 days full-time service in the Armed Forces between 3 September 1939 and 2 September 1945. Operational and non-operational service may be counted, providing that it was of 28 days or more duration.

In the Merchant Navy there is a requirement that the 28 days should have been served at sea.

A member qualifies for the award where service was brought to an end by death, wounds or other disabilities due to service or by cessation of hostilities on 2 September 1945.

The War Medal 1939-45 is awarded to Australian Civilian Personnel who served afloat with the United States Army Small Ships Section between 8 December 1941 and 2 September 1945. Eligibility is the same as that for Merchant Navy personnel.


Australia Service Medal 1939-1945

Australia Service Medal 1939-1945

The Australia Service Medal 1939-1945 was instituted in 1949 to recognise the service of members of the Australian Armed Forces and the Australian Mercantile Marine during World War II.

The medal was originally awarded to those who served at home or overseas for at least 18 months full-time service, or three years part-time service, between 3 September 1939 and 2 September 1945. Members of the Australian Mercantile Marine must have served the qualifying time at sea.

In 1996 the qualifying time was reduced to 30 days full-time or 90 days part-time service. To be eligible for the medal a serviceman or woman must have been honourably discharged from the Australian Armed Forces.

Design

The medal is nickel silver with the crowned effigy of King George VI on the obverse. The reverse has the Australian coat of arms, placed centrally, surrounded by the words �THE AUSTRALIA SERVICE MEDAL 1939-1945�.

Ribbon

The ribbon has a wide khaki central stripe, flanked by two narrow red stripes, which are in turn flanked by two outer stripes, one of dark blue and the other of light blue. The khaki represents the Australian Army, and the red, dark blue and light blue represent the Merchant Navy, Royal Australian Navy and the Royal Australian Air Force respectively.

Attribution

The above information is from the Defence Honours site at http://www.defence.gov.au/Medals/Imperial/WWII/Australia-Service-Medal-1939-1945.asp, taken on 19 Jun 2019.


 

The Rising Sun Badge

This version of the Rising Sun Badge was worn by soldiers of the 1st and 2nd Australian Imperial Forces, and the badge has become an integral part of the Digger tradition.

Worn on the the upturned brim of the slouch hat, it is readily identified with the spirit of ANZAC.

There are a number of versions of the genesis of the badge, the most widely accepted being that it derived from a Trophy of Arms - various swords and bayonets mounted on  a semi-circular display in Victoria Barracks, Melbourne.

The original version worn in South Africa was modified in 1904 and worn by Australian soldiers through two World Wars.

Later changes were made to the style of the crown and the wording on the scroll. The "King's Crown" is the one shown to the left, while arches of the "Queen's Crown" rise at the same angle as the base of the crown, curve at their highest point to a level mid-way on the orb below the cross and then down to below the orb.

In 1949 the scroll was changed to read "Australian Military Forces".

In 1969 the badge was modified to incorporate the 7-pointed Federation Star with a central Queen's crown over the Torse Wreath (a twisted roll of fabric) from the original 1902 version, and the scroll wording changed to "Australia".

In the 75th anniversary year of the the ANZAC landings at Gallipoli, there was a drive to return to traditional accoutrements worn by Australian soldiers during the World Wars, which clearly identify the Australian Army. The Queen's crown returned to its central position and the scroll now reads "The Australian Army'.


Returned From Active Service Badge

The Australian Defence Force Returned From Active Service Badge features a tri-services badge (with an anchor, wings and Rising Sun) surmounted by the King's or Queen's crown of the reigning monarch, with a boomerang underneath with the text 'RETURNED FROM ACTIVE SERVICE' . The reverse of the badge has a pair of pin clips for attachment to the wearer's clothing.

The Returned from Active Service Badge (RASB) is issued to Australian Defence Force personnel who have rendered warlike service. The badge enables individuals to display their involvement in warlike service while wearing civilian attire. It is worn when the wearing of service medals is not appropriate or possible. As the award of the RASB is not governed by statute, it has been the practice of Australian Governments to determine conditions of eligibility for each conflict in accordance with the circumstances existing at the time.

Since 1945, with the award of the Australian Active Service Medal (AASM) 1945-75 and the current AASM, the badge has been awarded automatically. The bronze badge was introduced in 1953, and is identical to the earlier post-Second World War Returned from Active Service badge, apart from the replacement of the King's crown with the Queen's crown.

Anecdotally, the positioning of the lapel buttonhole has led  Australian returned service personnel to state that "nothing is positioned above the Returned from Active Service badge".   The RASB is not worn when medals are worn, as the medals themselves are ample proof of that status.  This also applies to the miniature devices of honours and awards.