1st Enlistment
N276061 Private
|
2nd Enlistment
NX135878 Bombardier
|
3rd Enlistment
440153 Leading Aircraftsman
|
Introduction
440153 AC Reuben Allen Thorncraft
On enlistment to RAAF
Reuben Allen Thorncraft was born on 18 May 1923 in EUGOWRA New South Wales and is known by his second name, Allen. His next of kin during his military service is his father, also Reuben Allen Thorncraft but as Allen Jr's health is excellent and his service accident-free, there is no official correspondence with Allen Snr, merely a change of address.
He enlists in the Armidale sub-unit of the Sydney University Regiment (SUR), a Citizens Military Forces (CMF) unit, while attending the Teachers College there to qualify as a teacher and is assigned Army Number N276061. The 'N' prefix indicates that his enlistment was in NSW, and SUR has long been the "officer factory" of the NSW CMF and Active Army Reserve.
On qualifying and leaving University he is assigned to the 110th Australian Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment, an Artillery unit, with Army number NX135878.
At that time the Defence Act would not permit members of the CMF or CMF units to be employed outside Australia and the New Guinea protectorate. Becoming a member of the AIF means Allen can be transferred to a war zone.
Detached for training to the Eastern Command Training School (Artillery Wing), on completing the course he is transferred to the 20th Field Regiment, a Reserve Unit where he is quickly promoted to acting Bombardier (Bdr is the Artillery equivalent to Corporal) and attends and passes a course to qualify as a plotting officer.
A summary of the WW2 service of the 2nd/20th Field Regiment is being sought from the Artillery History Group.
Appointed as an acting Sergeant (Sgt) he reverts to acting Bdr and enlists in the Australian Imperial Force (AIF) on 1 Nov 1942 and is transferred to the 2nd Australian Artillery Training Regiment.
Intent on joining the Royal Australian Air Force, he seeks discharge from the Army and reverts to the rank of Gunner but it seem to be an unnecessarily drawn out process and does not take immediate effect.
On 21 Sep 1943 he joins the RAAF as an air crew enlistee but there is no indication in his documentation as to what role he himself intended, or in which role the RAAF intended to employ him.
He is posted to the 2nd Initial Training School (ITS) followed by a posting to the Elementary Flying School on 6 Jan 1944. On 7 May 1944 he is posted to the Service Flying Training School and is then posted to the Personnel Depot at Bradfield Park on 21 July 1944. There is no record of courses attended and his actual role remains unclear.
Further postings include 6 Stores Depot, ITS again in Jan 1945, Airfield Defence Squadron (ADS) at Port Pirie In Mar 1945 and the 2nd Recruiting Centre in Sydney in May 1945.
In July 1945 Allen applies for discharge under the provisions of AFR 115(t) "At own request, being surplus to present personnel requirements" and his discharge from the services takes effect on 25 Jul 1945. By this time Australia's role in the Pacific is all but over, and the German surrender in Europe was a distant memory.
In preparing this military biography there was no record of enlistment or other events during his service in the Sydney University Regiment (SUR) and this service is only marked by his transfer to the Artillery. His record here commences with his Attestation form for service with the Army, which includes his medical history. and follows with the chronological occurences of his Army service.
The Army records all occurences in a (roughly) chronological record and this has been followed in transcribing and sometimes reordering events.
Allen's Attestation Form for the Air Force contains essentially the same information as the Army form, and those who seek to review it can examine the record of service attached as a download.
His RAAF service recorded here commences with a transcription of his Application for Air Crew, as this contains a full record of his education and sporting activity and is the only document to include that data.
The RAAF personal record is a very large printed sheet divided into 29 parts where events of each nature are listed chronologically. This is transcribed in a manner which records in sequence the number and nature of each part of the sheet, together with the entries recorded on it.
Where a form is repesented, the responses are in bold and the questions in normal weight font on the basis that the answers are what readers are seeking. [My comments are square bracketed.]
This military biography was prepared for the Thorncraft family by Clive Mitchell-Taylor, Dec 2021, Jan 2022.
Enlistment Details
Attestation Form Dated 18 Feb 1942
AUSTRALIAN MILITARY FORCES.
ATTESTATION FORM.
FOR SPECIAL FORCES RAISED FOR SERVICE IN AUSTRALIAN OR ABROAD
To be filled in for all Persons at the Place of Assembly when called out under Part III. or IV. of the Defence Act, or when voluntarily enlisted.
Army Number..................N276061................NX135878....................
Surname.................................THORNCRAFT......................Othe Names......................REUBEN ALLEN...............................................
Unit.............................................................................................................................................................................................................
Enlisted for war service at.............................................................................................................................................................. (Place)
...............................................................(State)................................................................................................................................(Date)
A
Questions to be put to persons called out or presenting themselves for voluntary enlistment*
|
1. |
What is your name? |
1. |
Surname |
THORNCRAFT |
|
2. |
Where were you born? |
2. |
In or near the town of |
Eugowra |
|
3. |
Are you a natural born or a naturalized British Subject? If the latter, papers are to be produced. |
3. |
Natural born |
|
|
4. |
What is your age and date of birth? |
4. |
Age |
19 yrs |
|
5. |
what is your trade or occupation? |
5. |
Student Teacher |
|
|
6. |
Are you married, single or widower? |
6. |
Single |
|
|
7. |
Give details of previous Military Service |
7. |
AMF No |
N276061 |
|
8. |
If now serving, give particulars. |
8. |
No |
N276061 |
|
9. |
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) |
9. |
Name |
Reuben Allen Thorncraft Snr |
|
10. |
What is your permanent address? |
10. |
2 Neale St, Katoomba |
|
|
11. |
What is your religious denomination? (Answer optional.) |
11. |
Presbyterian |
|
|
12. |
Have you ever been convicted by a civil court? |
12. |
No |
|
|
13. |
Have you any of the following Educational Qualifications? If so, which? |
1. |
Certificate for Entry to Secondary School |
|
I, .....................Allen Reuben Thorncraft [sic] .......................................................................................................do solemnly declare that the
above answers made by me to the above questions are true.
Witnessed by .......................[Illegible]....Lieut................................ .......................................A.R.Thorncraft.........................................
(Signature of Attesting or Witnessing Officer)...........................
Signature
* The person will be warned that should he give false answers to any of these questions he will be liable to heavy penalties under the Defence Act.
B
MEDICAL EXAMINATION
I have made full and careful examination of the abovenamed person in accordance with the instructions contained in the Standing Orders for Australian Army Medical Services. In my opinion he is —
1. Fit for Class One
2. Temporarily unfit for Class I † ............................................................................................................................................................
3. Fit for Class II.
4. Temporarily unfit for Class II † ...........................................................................................................................................................
5. Unfit for military service † ..................................................................................................................................................................
Signature of Examining Medical Officer .........................DJ Passmore...Capt........................................................................
C
OATH OF ENLISTMENT ‡
For persons voluntarily enlisted or called upon under Part III. or Part IV, of the Defence Act to serve in the Citizens Forces in time of war. Not compulsory for serving members of the Forces or those allotted to the Citizen Forces under Part XII. of the Act, but unless in any case an objection is raised, the oath should be administered to them as part of the ceremony of attestation.
I,.....................Allen Reuben Thorncraft ...............swear that I will well and truly serve our Sovereign Lord, the King, in the Military Forces of the Commonwealth of Australia until the cessation of the present time of war or until sooner lawfully discharged, dismissed, or removed, and that I will resist His Majesty's enemies and cause his Majesty's peace to be kept and maintained, and that I will in all matters appertaining to my service faithfully discharge my duty according to law.
SO HELP ME GOD!
Signature of Person Enlisted................. A.R. Thorncraft.......................
Subscribed at ............................... In the field .............................. in the State of ........................... New South Wales ................
this ............................ First. ...................................... day of .......................................November .................................1942*
[However Service record commences earlier with SUR]
Before me—
Signature of Attesting Officer ................................ [Illegible] Lt ....................................................................................................
‡ Persons who object to take an oath may make an affirmation in accordance with the Third Schedule of the Defence Act. In such cases the above form will be amended acccordingly and initialled by the Attesting Officer.
* Note that the Service Record commences with transfer from the Sydney University Regiment, and this Attestation Form records enlistment into and allotment within the Australian Imperial Force.
"Teachers College Armidale" [Endorsed in pencil]
AUSTRALIAN MILITARY FORCES
Medical History Sheet of (Army No) N/276061
|
Surname (in capitals) |
THORNCRAFT |
Christian Names |
Reuben Allen |
||
|
Age |
18 years 5 months |
Date of birth |
8 May 1923 |
||
|
Birthplace |
EUGOWRA N.S.W. |
Occupation |
Student |
||
|
Religious Denomination |
Presbyterian |
Complexion |
Fair |
||
|
Colour of Hair |
Fair |
Colour of eyes |
Hazel |
||
|
Distinctive marks and marks indicating congenital peculiarities or previous disease |
Scar on right thigh 1" [2.5cm] |
||||
TABLE 1
|
1. |
Are you now suffering from any disease or disability? |
No |
||||
|
2. |
Have you ever suffered from any of the following illnesses? |
|||||
|
(a) |
Rheumatic Fever |
No |
(i) |
Kidney Disease |
No |
|
|
(b) |
Weak Heart or Heart Disease |
No |
(j) |
Skin Disease |
No |
|
|
(c) |
Tuberculosis or Consumption |
No |
(k) |
Malaria |
No |
|
|
(d) |
Spitting of blood |
No |
(l) |
Dysentery |
No |
|
|
(e) |
Pleurisy |
No |
(m) |
Ulcer of the Stomach or indigestions |
No |
|
|
(f) |
Asthma or Shortness of Breath |
No |
(n) |
Piles |
No |
|
|
|
(g) |
Venereal Disease or Stricture |
No |
(o) |
Have you ever had any other serious illness? |
No |
|
|
(h) |
Neurasthenia or Nervous Breakdown |
No | |||
|
3. |
Have you had fits of any kind? |
No |
||||
|
4. |
Have you had discharge from either ear? |
Yes |
||||
|
5. |
Had you had a broken bone or been seriously injured? |
No |
|
|||
|
6. |
Have you been operated upon? |
No |
||||
|
7. |
Has any member of your family suffered from Pleurisy, Tuberculosis, Diabetes, Stroke, Nervous Breakdown or Mental Trouble? |
|||||
|
|
If so, give particulars (relation and when) |
No |
||||
|
8. |
Have you been rejected or deferred for Life Insurance |
No |
||||
|
9. |
Have you ever been rejected or discharged as unfit for service in any branch of His Majesty's Forces? |
No |
||||
|
10. |
Have you been wounded, suffered from Shell Shock, or Gas Poisoning? |
No |
||||
† I declare that I have read the answers to the above questions and that to the best of my knowledge they are true.
Station . . . . . Armidale . . . . . . . .
Date . . . . . . 30 Oct 1941. . . Signature of Recruit . . . . . . Allen Thorncraft
. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
|
Examined on . . . |
30 Oct 1941 |
|
VISION |
|
|
at Armidale |
|
|
Without glasses |
With glasses |
|
Height |
5 feet 11 inches |
[180cm] |
Right 6/6 |
Right - |
|
Weight |
166lb. |
[75Kg] |
Left 6/6 |
Left - |
|
Chest measurement |
Expanded |
38½inches [98cm] |
|
- |
|
|
Range of expansion |
4½inches [11.5cm] |
|
|
|
Urine |
Clear |
Vaccination Marks |
Right No |
Left No |
|
Slight defects, but not sufficient to cause rejection |
When vaccinated |
[struck through] |
||
|
|
|
Blood pressure |
Systolic [No entry] |
Diastolic [No entry] |
Chronological Events
(Service and Casualty Form)
|
Date |
Received |
Event/Casualty |
Date of |
Place of |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
4 Dec 1941 |
C.O. S.U.R. |
Marched in and taken on strength |
4 Dec 1941 |
E.C. |
|
23 Feb 1942 |
C.O. S.U.R. |
Tfd to 110 Light A.A. Regt |
23 Feb 1942 |
E.C. |
|
26 Feb 1942 |
110 L.A.A. |
Marched in and taken on strength ex S.U.R. Regt [sic] |
23 Feb 1942 |
E.C. |
|
24 Mar 1942 |
110 L.A.A. |
Det to E.C.T.S. (Arty Wing) |
10 Mar 1942 |
E.C. |
|
7 Apr 1942 |
110 L.A.A. |
Rejd Unit ex E.C.T.S. (Arty Wing) |
7 Apr 1942 |
E.C. |
|
11 Apr 1942 |
110 L.A.A. |
Tfd to 20 Fld Regt |
11 Apr 1942 |
E.C. |
|
12 Apr 1942 |
20 Fd Regt |
Marched in & taken on Strength ex Lt A.A. Regt |
11.Feb 1942 |
E.C. |
|
11 Jun 1942 |
20 Fd Regt |
Appointed A Bdr (W.E.) |
11 Jun 1942 |
Speers Point |
|
5 Jul 1942 |
20 Fd Regt |
Det to L.H.Q. School of Arty tfd to 'X' List |
5 Jul 1942 |
Speers Point |
|
28 Sep 1942 |
20 Fd Regt |
Rejd Unit ex L.H.Q. School of Arty, struck off 'X' List |
27 Sep 1942 |
Speers Point |
|
29 Sep 1942 |
20 Fd Regt |
Change of Address of NOK |
28 Sep 1942 |
Speers Point |
|
21 Oct 1942 |
HQ NSW L/C |
Qualified at No 20 Course for P.O. |
28 Sep 1942 |
Holdsworthy [sic] |
|
12 Nov 1942 |
20 Aust Field Regt |
Appointed A/Sgt W.E. |
11 Jun 1942 |
Speers Point |
|
12 Nov 1942 |
20 Aust Fd Regt |
Reverted to A/Bdr at own request |
11 Sep 1942 |
Speers Pt |
30 Dec 1942 |
20 Fd Regt |
Qual at GHQ School of Arty Serial 20 |
28 Sep 1942 |
Speers Pt |
|
|
30 Dec 1942 |
20 Fd Regt |
Qual at GHQ School of Arty Serial 20 |
28 Sep 1942 |
Speers Pt |
|
15 Nov 1942 |
20 Aust Fd Regt |
Tfd to AIF & Allotted Army No NX135878 |
1 Nov 1942 |
Speers Pt |
20 Nov 1942 |
1 Fd Regt |
Taken on strength ex 20 Aust Fld Regt |
12 Nov 1942 |
Largs[N.S.W] |
|
20 Nov 1942 |
1 Fld Regt |
Tfd to 2 Aust Arty Trng Regt |
12 Nov 1942 |
Largs |
|
No entry |
No entry |
Discharged, Required for service with the Royal Australian Air Force |
No entry |
No entry |
|
21 Sep 1943 |
DRO |
Auth AA 6(o) 210448 15 Sep 43 |
20 Jun 1943 |
Sydney |
|
9 Jul 1943 |
2 Aust Fld Arty Trg Regt |
Still with Unit |
22 Jun 1943 |
Greta |
|
21 Aug 1943 |
2 Aust Fld Arty Trg Regt |
Reverted to Gunner |
17 Aug 1943 |
NSW L of C Area |
|
|
|
'DISCHARGED' stamped on Service and Casualty Form |
|
|
|
|
|
Discharge Proceedings from Army processed 20 Sep 1943 |
|
|
|
|
|
Signs undated receipt from Army in respect of Will. |
|
|
ROYAL AUSTRALIAN AIR FORCE
APPLICATION FOR AIR CREW
operator-Air Gunners for service in the Royal Australian Air Force at home or abroad.
When completed this form should be despatched to R.A.A.F. Recruiting Centre.
|
1. |
Surname (Block Letters) |
THORNCRAFT |
|
|
|
|
2. |
Christian Names (In Full) |
Reuben ALLen |
|
|
|
|
3. |
Private Address |
2 Neale St. Katoomba. |
|
|
|
|
3a. |
Service Address No. |
Rank Bdr. |
Unit 2nd Aust Field Arty Tng Regt |
||
|
4. |
Date and Place of Birth |
18 May 1923 Eugowra. |
5. Married or Single |
Single |
|
|
6. |
Name, Relationship, and Address of Next of Kin |
Reuben Allen Thorncraft Father, 2 Neale St. Katoomba |
|||
|
7. |
Are you a British Subject? |
Yes |
Of pure European Descent? |
Yes |
|
|
8. |
State the Nationality of your Parents at their birth:- |
Father British |
Mother British |
|
|
|
9. |
Names and Addresses of Schools |
From To |
|
(b) Have you sat for the Merit, Intrmeddiate or Junior Public Examination? If so give particulars opposite. |
Name of examining body |
N.S.Wales Dept of Education |
|
(c) Have you sat for any other educational examination? If so, give particulars |
Name of examining body |
N.S.Wales Dept of Education |
|
(d) Give Particulars (with dates) of further education undertaken since leaving school. Name and address of educational establishment or tutor should be stated, subject taken, and whether whole or part-time tuition. |
N.S.Wales Dept. of Education. |
|
|
10. |
Present Occupation |
Soldier |
|
|
|
10a. |
Present Employer |
Department of Defence |
||
|
|
State if member of Air Training Corps [Superimposed stamp] |
No |
If yes state Squadron |
[Struck through] |
|
11. |
Are you prepared to serve for the duration of the war and for a period of up to 12 months thereafter? |
Yes |
||
|
12. |
Have you had any flying experience? |
No |
If so, number of hours dual |
[Struck through] |
|
|
Solo |
[Struck through] |
Name of training organisation |
[Struck through] |
|
|
Do you hold a Pilot's Licence? |
No |
||
|
13. |
Details of any Naval, Military or Air Force Service |
Military Forces. Dec 41 Attended Arty officers School, Passed |
||
|
14. |
Attach particulars of any Experience you have had in the following:- |
Wireless Telegraphy and Telephony |
Nil |
|
|
15. |
Particulars of Sports and Games played. |
Represented Teachers College in cricket, Football, Tennis, Swimming 1940-41 |
||
|
16. |
Have you previously applied for an appointment in any Branch of the Royal Australian Air Force or Active Citizen Force? (If so, give particulars and date) NOTE:- An incorrect answer to this question may disqualify a candidate. |
No |
||
|
17. |
Physical particulars: |
Height 5' 11½ [181.5cm] |
Weight 14 stone [196lb or 89Kg] |
|
|
|
Chest measurement: |
Normal [No entry] |
Expanded [No entry] |
|
|
18. |
Have you been previously medically examined for Air Force or Civil Flying? |
No |
||
|
19. |
Have you ever been convicted by the Civil Power? |
No |
||
|
20. |
CERTIFICATE |
|||
|
|
I hereby certify that the replies set out to the above questions are, to the best of my knowledge and belief, true and correct. |
|||
|
|
Date [No entry] |
|
[Signed] A. Thorncraft |
|
|
|
||||
|
21. |
CERTIFICATE OF PARENT OR GUARDIAN(To be signed if applicant is under the age of 21 years) |
|||
|
|
I am agreeable that my son/ward joins the Air Force for flying duties, for service at home or abroad. |
|||
|
|
Date [No entry] |
|
[Endorsed] Attached |
|
|
22. |
Applicant is requested to ATTACH to this form a copy of extract of birth entry or statutory declaration as to date of birth, particulars of Naturalisation (if practicable), copies of educational certificates and copies of references from at least two responsible persons who have known candidate for a considerable period. |
|||
|
|
[Stamp]
I hereby certify that BDR THORNCRAFT R.A. subject to his passing all tests for admittance to the R.A.A.F.
|
|||
PERSONAL RECORD OF SERVICE AIRMEN
1. PERMANENT FORCE
2. CITIZEN FORCE
|
SER |
ITEM |
ENTRIES |
||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
3. |
NO. |
440153 |
||||||||||||||||
|
4. |
SURNAME |
THORNCRAFT |
||||||||||||||||
|
5. |
CHRISTIAN NAMES |
Reuben Allen |
||||||||||||||||
|
6. |
No. [This serial duplicated on original form] |
440153 |
||||||||||||||||
|
7. |
DATE OF BIRTH |
18 May 1923
|
||||||||||||||||
|
8. |
SINGLE [Checked] |
|
||||||||||||||||
|
9. |
NEXT OF KIN |
Reuben Allen Thorncraft |
||||||||||||||||
|
10. |
PERSON TO BE INFORMED OF CASUALTIES |
Next of Kin |
||||||||||||||||
|
11. |
RELIGION |
Presbyterian |
||||||||||||||||
|
12. |
NATIONALITY |
British |
||||||||||||||||
|
13. |
PREVIOUS TRADE & TRADE QUALIFICATIONS |
Student |
||||||||||||||||
|
14. |
ENLISTMENTS & RE-ENGAGEMENTS |
Enlisted at No 2 REC CEN for duration of the war and a period of 12 months after on 21 Sep 1943. |
||||||||||||||||
| 15. | PREV NAVAL, MILTARY OR AIR SERVICE |
|
||||||||||||||||
|
|
||||||||||||||||||
|
16. |
DECORATIONS, MEDALS, MENTIONS, BADGES |
Stamped "WAR MEDAL 1939-1945" |
||||||||||||||||
| 17. |
SPECIAL QUALIFICATIONS |
NIL |
||||||||||||||||
|
18. |
MUSTERINGS |
|
||||||||||||||||
|
19. |
PROMOTIONS, RECLASSIFICATIONS, REDUCTIONS AND REVERSIONS |
|
||||||||||||||||
|
20. |
MOVEMENTS AND MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS |
Discharged from the RAAF under AFR 115 (N) At own request Signs receipt for Certificate of Service and Discharge on 14 Aug 1945 |
||||||||||||||||
|
21. |
POSTINGS |
|
||||||||||||||||
|
22. |
ATTACHMENTS |
[No entries] |
||||||||||||||||
|
23. |
CHARACTER AND TRADE PROFICIENCY |
|
||||||||||||||||
|
24. |
COURSES OF INSTRUCTION |
|
||||||||||||||||
|
25. |
EXAMINATIONS PASSED FOR PROMOTION |
| ||||||||||||||||
|
26. |
PAY AND ALLOWANCES |
[No entries] |
||||||||||||||||
|
27. |
DEPENDANTS |
| ||||||||||||||||
|
28. |
CASUALTIES, ADMISSIONS TO AND DISCHARGES FROM HOSPITAL |
|
||||||||||||||||
|
29. |
CRIMES AND PUNISHMENTS |
|
||||||||||||||||
20th Australian Field Regiment Artillery
I have been unable to identify any reference to the 20th Australian Field Regiment Artillery as a Militia/CMF unit during World War 2. Both the Australian War Memorial and the National Archives are silent on the issue other than to note that it existed.
Allen Thorncraft's Army Record gives Speers Point on Lake Macquarie, New South Wales near Newcastle as the location of the unit, but even this information has been of no assistance.
Fixed Artillery pieces were emplaced in the Newcastle Area, but as a Field Artillery unit, the 20th Regiment is by definition, mobile. I have lodged enquiries with historical groups and will provide whatever information comes to hand.
The 20th Regiment Royal Australian Artillery was raised in 2006 as the 20th Surveillance and Target Acquisition Regiment, responsible for providing artillery spotting and tactical reconnaisance. The regiment has deployed to East Timor, Solomon Island, Iraq and Afghanistan. It may have some information concerning its forebear.
Citizens Military Forces (CMF) Lapel Badge
The Citizens Military Force badge was issued to those who were entitled from the latter part of World War 2 when members of the CMF, particularly the 11th Brigade were fighting on the Kokoda Trail [The place name gazetted by the Papua New Guinea Government], other locations in Papua New Guinea, Bougainville and the Pacific Island.
1939-1945 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.
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.