13th Australian Field Company

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Brief History

The 13th Field Company was a Militia unit mobilised at Melville, Western Australia in December 1941, and attached to the 13th Infantry Brigade Group. Initially as the only field company in WA it also had a counterattack role to support garrison battalions. With the return of the 2nd AIF from the Middle East, the 13th Infantry Brigade moved to Chidlow in April and Moora in May. During this time 13th Field Company worked on camp accommodation and road maintenance. In July they moved to Dandaragan, remaining there until they moved to Moora in February 1943.

In March 1943 the 13th Field Company moved to Darwin, where they were based at Batchelor working on road and bridge construction. Between July 1943 and March 1944 some of the unit moved to Noonamah to work on wharf re-construction, before moving to the Hughes airfield. With the threat to Darwin diminishing they began preparations for a transfer to overseas service and the unit consolidated at Noonamah. The Field Company were assigned to the 5th Infantry Division which was tasked with providing a force that would move to Jacquinot Bay on the south coast of New Britain where the Japanese remained in control of Rabaul. In November they embarked for New Britain where they supported units of the 13th Infantry Brigade as it advanced towards Rabaul. In March 1945 they were located at Tol Plantation, and following the cessation of hostilities they formed part of the occupation force which moved to Rabaul.

Unit Personnel

• Harold Frank Pyke 17 Sep 1940 - 7 Dec 1945
• Robert Thomas Buckenara 29 Jan - 20 May 1946