37th Australian Switchboard Operating Section

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Brief History

The 37th Australian Switchboard Operating Section was raised in Melbourne during February 1943, destined to join the 3rd Company, New Guinea Lines of Communication Signals, which would in the future take over the signals system at Milne Bay. In March they moved to Yeerongpilly (Qld) in March and then to Milne Bay in April 1943. In June a detachment of 37th Australian Switchboard Operating Section moved to Goodenough Island. While a detachment remained at Milne Bay, the rest moved to Buna in September where the Goodenough detachment rejoined them. In February 1944 the Milne Bay detachment rejoined the main unit at Buna. Following the capture of Madang, troop numbers in New Guinea began to reduce, with Lae being developed as the main base for future operations. In June the 37th Australian Switchboard Operating Section moved to Lae where they were expected to be relieved. However they were still operating from there at the end of the war.

Unit Personnel

• Margaret Frances Saw 12 May 1945 - 16 Dec 1945

Notes

Content has come from The Unit Guide - Volume 4 - The Australian Army 1939-1945, page 4.481 - Graham R McKenzie-Smith - Big Sky Publishing - 2018