2/4th Australian Independent Company

Sptember 1942 The wreck of HMAS Voyager

Brief History

The 2/4th Independent Company was formed in December 1941 and following completion of training in March 1942, the 2/4th was posted to Katherine in the Northern Territory. The company was deployed in small groups between the McArthur and the Ord Rivers with the role of harassing and disorganising any invading force. Once it was apparent that a Japanese invasion was not likely, the unit was deployed in September 1942 aboard HMAS Voyager to Portugese Timor to reinforce the 2/2nd Australian Independent Company. As part of this operation the Voyager became stuck on a sand bar and had to be destroyed. With increased Japanese efforts to end the resistance, it followed the 2/2nd Company back to Darwin in January 1943.

Following leave it re-assembled at Cunungra before moving to Wongabel on the Atherton Tableland where it became a part of the 2/4th Cavalry (Commando) Squadron. By then it was a part of the buildup to the 9th Infantry Division's amphibious landing at Lae. Its role being to protect the flanks of the attacking force and carry out reconnaisance work. Unfortunately the 2/4th suffered heavy casualties before they landed from Japanese aircraft attacks on the ship that they were on. After the capture of Lae, the unit conducted long range patrols ahead of the main advance. Sent back to Queenland, they joined the 2/11 and 2/12 Independent Companies to form the 2/9th Cavalry (Commando) Regiment.

In April 1945 they departed Townsville for Morotai, and Borneo soon after. Landing on Sadau Island and then Tarakan in early April 1945, they saw extensive service on Tarakan until the cessation of hostilites. The unit returned to Australia at the end of 1945 and it was disbanded on 8 Jan 1946. 53 men died while posted to this unit.

Unit Personnel

• Mervyn Roy Drummond 24 Nov 1942 - 25 Feb 1944

Individual Honours

• 2 x Military Medal
• 10 x Mentioned in Despatches