154th Australian General Transport Company

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Brief History

This unit enjoyed 6 separate titles dureing its 4 years of operations. Initially mobilised as the Northern COmmand Troops Ammunition Company at Enoggera in Queensland, it had a detachment at Townsville. In April 1942 it was renamed to 5th Infantry Division Ammunition Company, and in May moved north to Brookhill. In August they were renamed 27th Australain Company AASC and moved to Aitkenvale in October.

In January 1943 as part of the 5th Division support troops they moved to the Milne Bay garrison in New Guinea. AASC units in New Guinea were reorganised in July 1943 and elements of the unit became the 154th Australian General Transport Company with two transport platoons, while others formed 18 & 19 Supply Depot Platoons. While most of the unit remained at Milne Bay until December 1943, B Platoon moved with the 29th Infantry Brigade Group to Buna in July, Nassau Bay in August and Lae in September. The complete unit was in Lae in December. In Febraury 1944 they accompanied the 5th Infantry Division to Kiligia in March. 'B' Platoon remained at Lae before moving back to Queensland with the 29th Infantry Brigade Group where it was renamed 88th Transport Platoon. 'A' Platoon (later known as 52nd Transport Platoon) moved to Madang with the 4th Infantry Brigade Group, later joined by Company HQ elements based at Sair Plantation. 'A' Platoon returned to Queensland in July 1944 leaviug Company HAQ and Workshop Platoon remained in Madang until January 1945 when they joined the rest of the unit in Jacquinot Bay on New Britain. The unit was reorganised on New Britain, with 55th Transport Platoon joining them, with some detachments with the leading Brigades pushing towards Rabaul. With the japanese surrender, 154th Australian General Transport Company moved to Rabaul to assist the 11th Australian Infantry Division supervise the surrender.

Unit Personnel

• Albert George Lawrence 18 Jul - 20 Aug 1945 on detachment from 52nd Aust general Transport Platoon
• Ernest Stanley Lawrence 18 Jul - 20 Aug 1945 on detachment from 52nd Aust general Transport Platoon

Notes

Content has come from The Unit Guide - Volume 5 - The Australian Army 1939-1945, pages 5.046 & 5.047 - Graham R McKenzie-Smith - Big Sky Publishing - 2018