V66516 & VX61306
Corporal Geoffrey Gordon Read [POW]
2nd/29th Battalion,
27th Brigade,  8th Division
2nd Australian Imperial Force, 1941-1946

This file last updated 26 October, 2025 12:15

Introduction


Identity photographs in Service Record

Geoffrey Gordon Read, 1909-1998

Geoffrey Gordon Read was born in LANE COVE NSW on 24 Mar 1909 to Albert Jesse Read (38) and Henrietta Louisa Read (34) and, unmarried, registers in the Australian Military Force (AMF) on 25 Feb 1941.

He records that he previously served with the 18th Battalion AMF for a period of two years and 55 days. The 18th Battalion was based in WILLOUGHBY, NSW and remained in Australian throughout the war, assigned variously to the 8th, 9th, 28th and 1st Brigades.

He serves as a member of the Militia in VICTORIA, with Army Number V66516, assigned to the 14th Militia Battalion as a Corporal. Initially unscanned, his digital record is now available after processing through an ongoing National Archives World War 2 digitisation project. It has been incorporated into this military biography with great difficulty because access to this particular record creates more puzzles than it solves.

His 4-page Service Record with the 14th Battalion clearly shows he enlisted on 20 Feb 1941 at PRAHRAN VIC at the top of page 1, underwent a medical examination on the 25 Feb 1941 as recorded on page 2 and took the oath of enlistment on 25 Feb 1941. Let us assume that he filled out the enlistment document on 20 Feb 1941 but his enlistment wasn't actually processed until 25 Feb  1941.

The top of page 3, his Army Form B.103-1 Service and Casualty Form is endorsed with the personal information on page 1, and again gives his date of enlistment as 25 Feb 1941. BUT, the actual event entries below the personal information commence on 29 Apr 1940! It appears that the Militia record has been recreated at some time from the personal data of one page and the event data from another. We have neither of the original documents and it can be assumed that the record of some events is still missing.

He attends a camp in SEYMOUR VIC as a member of A Coy, 14 Bn, another as a member of D Coy at MT MARTHA (which appears to be for promotion as he is promoted to Corporal on 7 Apr 1941. He attends another camp at BALCOMBE and is retained in the camp as an NCO He enlists in the Australian Imperial Force (AIF) on 7 Aug 1941 at MELBOURNE Town Hall, giving his civilian occupation as Traveller and other than his address and age, his details are consistent.

After taking a week's leave without pay he undergoes training with the 6th Infantry Training Battalion and is assigned to the 2nd Infantry Reinforcements and is promoted to acting Corporal on 30 Dec 1941. He is then assigned to the 4th Reinforcements to the 2nd/29th Battalion and embarks on a transport ship for SINGAPORE on 10 Jan 1942 and disembarks and is taken on the strength of the battalion on Australia Day 1942 as a reinforcement.

2/29 MARKSMEN

This photograph appeared on the 2/29 Battalion site and was forwarded to Brad Read who recognised his father Geoffrey Gordon Read, top row, second from left. He was a marksman and this photographaph appears to have been taken before the group were sent overseas. Any further information which might identify other individuals or the date, place and event will be gratefuly received.

Meanwhile the 2/29 Battalion had been involved in heavy fighting against the Japanese invasion force driving south through the Malay peninsular to JOHORE. Initially positioned at MUAR to assist the 45th Indian Infantry Brigade the battalion established a defensive position at BAKRI on 17 Jan 1942 but cut off by the Japanese were forced to leave behind 135 men, the wounded and their medical personnel, these men were captured and all but two massacred by the Japanese.

The 130 remaining members of the 2/29 withdrew back to Singapore where they were joined by the draft of 500 men which included Cpl Geoff Read. Heavily involved in the fighting at JOHORE and SINGAPORE, the battalion was among those captured by the Japanese and interned in CHANGI prison.

See Geoffrey Read's somewhat mangled Militia Service Record and his later Australian Imperial Force Service Record.

Other information concerning Geoffrey Read can be found as follows:

Further information concerning the 2/29th Battalion, which includes a list of books can be found at the 2/29th Battalion A.I.F. Association web site.

His entry on the Australian Ex-Prisoners of War Memorial in Ballarat notes that Geoffrey Gordon Read was part of F Force, a group of 3662 Australian and 3400 British POWs who endured horrific conditions when transported to Thailand and used by the Japanese as forced labour in Thailand up to the border of Burma (Myanmar). 1060 (29%) of the Australians and 2036 (60%) of the British died. Some online references include the following:

Geoffrey Gordon Read passed away on 9 Aug 1998 aged 89 and is buried with wife Marie at Williamstown Cemetery.

This biography was prepared for Bradley Read, son of Geoffrey Read and Marie Read née Lynch by Clive Mitchell-Taylor, 28 Jun 2019.

For further information about identity numbers for Service personnel, see Regimental and Service Numbers.

In WW2, units with the same title as a WW1 unit were differentiated with the prefix '2/', so the 29th Battalion was generally written as 2/29th Battalion.

Enlistment Details

Army Number

V66516 & VX61306

What is your name?

Geoffrey Gordon Read

Unit

2/29th Infantry Battalion

Enlisted for War Service at

Town Hall, Melbourne, Victoria

Date of Enlistment

7 Aug 1941

Where were you born?

Lane Cove, New South Wales

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

Yes, natural born

What is your age and date of birth?

Age 32 Yrs, 4 months Date of Birth 24 Mar 1909

What is your normal trade or occupation?

Traveller

Are you married, single or widower?

Single

Give details of previous Military service.

AMF No V66516
Rank - Corporal
Unit - 14 Battalion, Militia 2½ years

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)

Mother, Henrietta Louisa Read
PO Artarman, NSW

[Amended on her death] Sister, Mrs E.C. Menzies
29-31 Hardware St, Melbourne

What is your permanent address?

31 Queens Rd
Melbourne

What is your religious denomination?

C of E

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
6. University Degree
7. Other Diplomas

Response - all items struck out

Medical Classification

Illegible, but Unfit and Temporarily Unfit have both been struck through

Chronological Events
(Service and Casualty Form)

Service with 18th Battalion AMF (Militia), Willoughby NSW - About Jan 1939 to Feb 1941

No detailed information in the Service Records

Service with 14th Battalion AMF (Militia), Prahran VIC,   20 Feb 1941 to 9 Aug 1941 as V66516

Note anomalous dates indicating potential loss of at least one page of the Service Record

Date
Reported

Received
From

Event/Casualty

Medical     Other     Disciplinary

Date of
Occurence

Place of
Occurence

25 Feb 1941

Prahran, VIC

Enlisted

25 Feb 1941

PRAHRAN, VIC

29 Apr 1940

Area 14A

Taken on Strength & posted to "A" Coy. Attended Seymour Camp (70 Days) 29 Apr 1940 to 9 July 1940

29 Apr 1940
9 Jul 1940

SEYMOUR
SEYMOUR

30 Sep 1940

Area 14A

Posted to "D" Coy. Attended Mt Martha Camp (70 Days) 30 Sep 1940 to 6 Dec 1940

30 Sep 1940
6 Dec 1940

MT MARTHA
MT MARTHA

Promoted CPL 7 Apr 1941

7 Apr 1941

3 May 1941

Attended 90 Days Camp, Mt Martha - Balcombe

3 May 1941 to 29 Jul 1941

BALCOMBE

Retained in Camp N.C.O (Full Time Duty)

30 Jul 1941

BALCOMBE

To AIF

9 Aug 1941

BALCOMBE

Service with 2nd/29th Battalion AIF ,  12 Aug 1941 to 19 Nov 1945 as VX61306

Date
Reported

Received
From

Event/Casualty

Medical     Other     Disciplinary

Date of
Occurence

Place of
Occurence

12 Aug 1941

OC RRD

Taken on Strength RRD.

12 Aug 1941

ROYAL PARK

14 Jan 1941

do

Granted Leave Without Pay from 14 Aug 1941 to 21 Aug 1941 - reason not disclosed

14 Aug 1941

do

21 Aug 1941

do

Rejoined Unit after LWOP.

21 Aug 1941

do

28 Aug 1941

do

Transferred to 6 Inf Trg Bn

27 Aug 1945

do

27 Aug 1941

6 Trg Bn

Transferred from RRD

28 Aug 1945

Royal Park

16 Dec 1941

do

Detached for duty to No 2 Group [Later described as 2 AIF Rfs]

16 Dec 1941

do

27 Dec 1941

2 AIF Rfts

Attached from 6 Trg Bn

16 Dec 1941

[Illegible]

3 Dec 1941

2 AIF Rfts

Promoted A/CPL

30 Dec 1941

[Illegible]

30 Dec 1941

2 AIF Rfts

Marched out from attachment to 6 Trg Bn

30 Dec 1941

[Illegible]

1 Jan 1942

6 Trg Gp

Rejoined unit from attachment

29 Dec 1941

DARLEY [Now BACCHUS MARSH]

2 Jan 1942

do

Transferred to 4th Reinforcements to 2nd/29th Battalion

2 Jan 1942

do

10 Jan 1942

DRO

Embarked HMAT [Possibly 115 but have been unable to find embarkation lists or lists of passenger ships at all for this period.]

10 Jan 1942

SYDNEY

16 Apr 1942

AIF MALAYA

Embarked SYDNEY "MS" [Ship's name not identified]

10 Jan 1942

SYDNEY

16 Apr 1942

AIF MALAYA

Disembarked SINGAPORE

26 JAN 1942

SINGAPORE

10 Apr 1942

AIF MALAYA

Missing

16 Feb 1942

MALAYA

2 Nov 1943

AIF MALAYA

PRISONER of WAR

MALAYA

11 Jun 1942

Australian Red Cross Casualty Card has Next of Kin, Sister, Mrs E.C. Menzies of 29-31 Hardware St, Melbourne making enquiries as to the status of her brother. Unofficial status is that he is Missing in MALAYA.

19 Aug 1942

Australian Red Cross Casualty Card annotation records that Casualty List V319 reports the member as Missing

26 Oct 1943

Australian Red Cross Casualty Card records that Casualty List V509 the the member previously reported as Missing is now reported to be POW.

5 Dec 1943

Australian Red Cross Casualty Card notes that List J.B.246 * advises that Singapore Radio alleges that he is POW.
[* JB indicatea the report is from Johor Bahru]

21 Apr 1944

Australian Red Cross Casualty Card notes that 2nd Echelon* advise that a card was received from Malaya, advising VIC[toria].
2nd Echelon in this context is a rear Headquarters.
Separate research reveals that the Japanese retained cards as a matter of course, sometimes releasing them much later, sometimes not at all.

23 Nov 1944

2nd Ech advise card received from Malaya.

20 Sep 1945

Australian Red Cross Casualty Card notes that Army Casualty report 3552 advises that the member is reported to be alive at Changi Camp, Singapore on 4 Sep 1941
This is the last entry on the Casualty Card

9 Oct 1945

NSW RR & GDD

Embarked from SINGAPORE per 'ESPERANCE BAY'.

22 Sep 1945

SINGAPORE

Disembarked at SYDNEY and taken on Holding Strength

9 Oct 1945

23 Oct 1945

NSW RR & GDD

Marched out to Vic Lof C Area, RRD GDD

23 Oct 1945

NSW

16 Nov 1945

GDD

Marched out to AMFDD

16 Nov 1945

WATSONIA

15 Dec 1945

AMF DD (Routine Order 654/45/A339)

Discharged[under] AMR & O 253 R184A J2

19 Nov 1945

At Royal Park

29 Jan 1952

Awards posted. 1939/1945 Star, Pacific Star, War Medal, Australian Service Medal

Attribution

MILITARY CAMPS AND LOCATIONS DURING WW2 are from https://www.ozatwar.com/ozatwar/militarycamps.htm on 19 Jun 2019.

Personal Details on Discharge

Discharge Document notes the following:

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.

Background - Infantry Battalions WW2

[Based on information in Redcoats to Cams, Ian Kuring.]

The Australian infantry battalion organisation in 1939 was structured around three rifle companies, each of four platoons, a support company of three medium machine gun platoons and a mortar platoon and a battalion headquarters.

The Middle East battalions were reorganised along British Army lines. Battalion headquarters, four companies of around 100 men each of three rifle platoons and a companyheadquarters. Each rifle platoon had a headquarters and three sections. Platoon headquarters was issued with a light mortar and an anti-tank rifle and each rifle section had a light machinegun. The headquarters company included specialist platoons of signals, mortars, tracked machinegun carriers, anti-aircfraft machineguns, assault pioneers and administration.

The Pacific jungle warfare battalions were modified to become smaller and lighter, removing some heavy weapons and most vehicles. The rifle companies remained much the same, but the support company specialist tracked carrier, truck and anti-aircraft platoons were removed. Later in the war, rifle platoon headquarters were issued with a light mortar, a light anti-tank weapon, one or two sub-machineguns, a sniper rifle, a grenade projection rifle and a light machinegun at section level.

The establishment strength of wartime infantry battalions varied from 700 to just over 900 men.

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

2/29th Australian Infantry Battalion

Source: Australian War Memorial https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2/29th_Battalion_(Australia)
UNIT COLOUR PATCH

2ND/29TH INFANTRY BATTALION

The 2/29th Infantry Battalion was formed at Bonegilla in Victoria in October 1940. It was part of the 8th Division's 27th Brigade, which was the last AIF infantry brigade raised for service during the Second World War. The battalion did its initial training at Bonegilla before travelling to Bathurst at the end of February 1941. The 2/29th remained at Bathurst for the next five months. At the end of July it sailed with the rest of the brigade to Singapore, arriving on 15 August. In the second week of September the 2/29th travelled to Segament in Malaya, where it continued its training. The battalion would soon put what it had learnt into practice.

Japanese forces landed at Singora and Patani in Thailand, and Kota Bahru in northern Malaya, just before midnight on 7 December. By 15 January they had reached Muar River, in northern Johore. The area was defended by an inexperienced and poorly trained Indian brigade and the 2/29th and the 2/19th Battalions were sent to Muar as reinforcements. The 2/29th reached Bakri on 17 January and assumed defensive positions. The Japanese attacked the next day. The fighting was fierce but the battalion and the 2/4th Anti-Tank Regiment destroyed several Japanese tanks. In the meantime, the 2/19th had arrived at Parit Sulong, south of Bakri, having fought its way through the Japanese beginning to encircle the 2/29th.

The 2/19th, led by Lt Col Charles Anderson MC, attacked along Muar Road on 19 January and held a vital crossroad long enough for the 2/29th and Indians units to withdrawal. However, the Japanese had already outflanked the 2/19th position and the Australians and Indians began to withdraw towards Parit Sulong the next morning. Constantly harried from the rear and the air, the force fought its way through a succession of Japanese roadblocks but was halted by strong positions around the bridge across the Simpang Kiri River at Parit Sulong. With its ammunition exhausted, casualties mounting, and no chance of relief, the combined Australian-Indian force struck out through the jungle for Yong Peng on the morning of 23 January. The force had to leave their wounded behind - about 110 Australians and 40 Indians (described by a witness as a "maimed and bloodstained"). Almost all were massacred by the Japanese, who had ratified but not signed the Geneva Convention documents.

Two hundred and seventy-one men from the 2/19th reached the British lines at Yong Peng, but only 130 from the 2/29th made it. The remaining men were withdrawn to Johore Bahru and then Singapore Island. Despite their heavy losses, both battalions were ordered to be ready for battle again within a few days. Lt Col Anderson was awarded the VC for his leadership during the fighting at Muar and subsequently.

After Bakri, the 2/29th was reinforced with 500 men - many of whom had only recently arrived from Australia - and subsequently fought as part of the defence of Singapore. On 15 February the British commander on Singapore surrendered.

The 2/29th spent the next three-and-a-half years as prisoners of war. Concentrated in Changi goal, the battalion was used to supply labour for work parties, first in Singapore and then in other parts of Japan's Greater East Asia Co-prosperity Sphere. Men were sent to Burma and Thailand to work on the railway, while others were sent to Java, Sumatra, Borneo, and Japan.

 

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

The Australian Rising Sun Badge Version III

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.