2/105th Australian General Transport Company
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Brief History
The 2nd/105th Australian General Transport Company had its roots planted in the 1st Australian Corps Petrol Park which was formed at Puckapunyal, Victoria in early 1940 to provide transport for the 7th Division. The 1st Australian Corps Petrol Park (1 ACPP) contained a Headquarters Section and two Sub Parks called No. 1 and No. 2. Sub Park with each having their own workshops section attached. Sub Park No. 2 would be the forbearer of both 105th Australian General Transport Company' and then later the 2nd/105th Australian General Transport Company.
The 1st Australian Corps Petrol Park embarked in late December 1940 and sailed to Egypt. Here, No. 2 Sub Park served in the North African campaign taking supplies forward. On their return trip they would often carry Italian POW's or wounded soldiers. When the Greece campaign started the unit was moved overseas to add to its defence. In the defeat of Greece, however, the unit lost or had to leave behind most of it equipment before some elements were withdrawn to Crete and others back to Egypt. Those members of the unit in Crete were later mostly captured by the Germans. Thus, No. 2 Sub Park was reformed back in Egypt and continued to operate there for a little while. It was then sent to Syria in aid of the Syrian campaign and was stationed at Nahoriyah in Palestine and then to Hadett in Lebanon.
In the final days of 1941 the 1st Australian Corps Petrol Park was disbanded and No. 1 and No. 2 Sub Parks were re-organised and renamed. No.1 Sub Park became the 2nd/106th Australian General Transport Company, while No. 2 Sub Park became the 105th Australian General Transport Company.
The 105th AGT Coy embarked on Orcades which departed on the 29th January 1942. The Orcades was a doomed vessel, however, as troops carried by it had been chosen to defend the Island of Java after the Fall of Singapore. Onboard was the 2nd/3rd Australian Machine Gun Battalion, the 2nd/2nd Pioneer Battalion, the 105th AGT Coy and several other small units. These were re-organised into three battalions which fell under the command of Blackforce commander Brigadier A S Blackburn.
With very little equipment and few supplies when the Japanese invaded Java, Blackforce was left with no choice but to eventually surrender. Thus, the 105th Australian General Transport Company saw out the rest of the War in POW camps throughout Japanese controlled Asia. Subsequently, back in Australia a newly formed 2nd/105th Australian General Transport Company absorbed the lucky few who had not become POWs.
Unit Personnel
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