12th (Jarrah) VDC Battalion

Shoulder patch

Brief History

Volunteer Defence Corps (VDC) Battalions were initially raised outside the military framework by the RSL who were keen to be involved in any defence of Australia. Formed in July 1940 they had no formal role, until they were taken over by the Army and incorporated in the CMF on 15 May 1941. Other civilian units included the Vulnerable Points Guard and the Post Office Volunteer Corps. Once taken over they were tasked with being prepared to strengthen/reinforce Garrison Battalions who were formed to contribute to the defence of Australia; provide staff for internment camps; and guard vulnerable points. Original recruitment was men with previous Imperial Military Service, those under 60 being available for full time duties. In February 1940 4,464 men were enlisted in Western Australian VDC units. Australia wide there were 110 VDC Battalions in October 1942. Australia wide there were 49 fatalities amongst VDC personnel, with one in Western Australia.

The 12th (Jarrah) VDC Battalion was formed from the over strength 4th (Bunbury) VDC Battalion, taking in forestry and sawmill towns in the Jarrah forest belt from Karragullen to Collie and agricultural areas around Boddington and Darkan. 'A' Company was formed around Jarrahdale, Carinyah (Smailes MIll) and Bedfordale; 'B' Company around Dwellingup, Whittakers Mill, Banksiadale, Holyoake, Chadoora, Hakea, Tullis and Wuraming; 'C' Company around Mornington Mill, Hoffman Mill, Harvey, and Boddington; and 'D' Coy around Colie, Darkan, Lyalls mill, Worsley Mill, Wellington Mill, Buckingham Mill, Duranillin, Wandering and Banksiadale. On July 1942 unit strength was 690. Battalion HQ was at Harvey, but moved to Pinjarra in February 1943. With the reduction in concern about a Japanese invasion, and the presence of full time military units north of Perth, 12th (Jarrah) VDC Battalion was placed in reserve in July 1944. Some members continued to parade, although no longer a part of the Army, and VDC battalions were not formally disbanded until mid-1946.

Members of the VDC were awarded the Australian Service Medal 1939-45 for three years part time service. Some who served full time qualified for the War Medal 1939-45.

Battalion Personnel

• George Arthur Anderson 24 Apr 1942 - 1 Oct 1943
• Herbert Arthur Batt 4 May 1942 - 31 Jul 1944
• Edward Francis Bowring 25 May 1942 - 31 Jul 1944
• Patrick William Bryant 28 Jul 1942 - 31 Jul 1944
• Ernest Henry Chisholm 28 Jul 1942 - 31 Jul 1944
• Frederick Joseph Clough 28 Jul 1942 - 31 Jul 1944
• John Deering 26 May 1942 - 31 Jul 1944
• Ronald Francis Deering 5 Jul 1942 - 31 Jul 1944
• Stanley Gordon Demasson 7 Aug 1942 - 25 Feb 1944
• Philip Emanuel Ellice 1 Jul 1942 - 31 Jul 1944
• Joseph Frankel 19 Mar 1942 - 31 Jul 1944
• Henry (Neil) Fretwell 28 Jul 1945 - 15 Oct 1945
• Edward Halpern 11 Jul 1942 - 31 Jul 1944
• Allan Cuthbert Harris 22 Mar 1942 - 9 Feb 1946
• William John (Bill) Hart 22 Mar 1942 - 15 Oct 1945
• Claude Vincent Kinsella 26 Apr 1942 - 15 Oct 1945
• Thomas Kavanagh Kinsella 2 Dec 1942 - 31 Jul 1944
• Alexander Baird Larson 20 Aug 1942 - 31 Jul 1944
• William (George) Lyster 24 Feb - 15 Oct 1945
• Ernest John Henry Mathews 20 Aug 1942 - 31 Jul
• Samuel James Mathews 28 Jul 1942 - 31 Jul 1944
• Bernard Francis McGarry 24 Apr 1942 - 8 Jan 1943
• Charles Frederick McKay 24 Apr 1942 - 31 Jul 1944
• Ernest Malcom McSwain 16 Jul 1942 - ??
• Cornelius Martin Murphy 7 Aug 1942 - 31 Jul 1944
• Llewellyn Joseph Hawthorn Newman 2 Apr 1942 - 15 Oct 1945
• Herbert Alfred Nicholls 28 Jul - 15 Oct 1945
• Francis Joseph O'Keeffe 28 Jul - 15 Oct 1945
• Edward Hughes Raymond 1 Jul - 14 Aug 1942
• John Norman Roberts 1 Jul 1942 - 1 May 1945
• Jan Albert Rosenberg 26 Mar 1942 - 1 Jul 1944
• Charles Vernon Rutherford 26 Apr 1942 - 18 Dec 1943
• Edward Martin Smailes 20 Apr 1942 - 31 Jul 1944
• Horace Harold Smith 15 Jul 1942 - 31 Jul 1944
• George Edward Stevens 2 Jun 1942 - 31 Jul 1944
• Thomas Patrick Sullivan 24 Apr 1942 - 15 Oct 1945
• Aron Wolf Willner 26 Mar 1942 - 24 Mar 1944
• Robert (Bob) Angus Lammonby 25 Oct 1944 - 15 Oct 1945

Notes

Content has come from The Unit Guide - Volume 6 - The Australian Army 1939-1945 - pages 6.084 & 6.085 - Graham R McKenzie-Smith - Big Sky Publishing - 2018