55th Australia Port Craft Company
From Our Contribution
 18 Dec 1944 Labu, New Guinea. A member of 55 Aust Port Coy at their barge anchorage with Australian Landing Craft 5, 15, and 205. AWM photo 084511 | |
 1 Oct 1945, Rabaul, New Britain. The AM 1825, the typw of workboat operated by 55 Australian port Craft Company in Simpson harbour. AWM photo 097438 |
Brief History
With the split of the 12th Water Transport Operating Company at Labu Lagoon near Lae in June 1944, to create the 12th Small Ships Company, the 55th Australian Port Craft Company came into existence. Its role was to control the craft working the ports, and they took over detachments at Milne Bay and Port Moresby. In September the Milne Bay detachment moved to Madang, and in October the 55th Australian Port Company took over all commitments of the 43rd Landing Craft Company at Lae, Finschhafen and Madang. A detachment delivered landing craft to Jacquinot Bay on new Britain in November, leaving the craft to be run by the 53rd Australian Port Craft Company, and returned to Lae in December. In August 1945 the unit became part of the new Transportation Corps, and a detachment moved to Rabaul following the Japanese surrender.
Unit Personnel
- Arthur John Saw 23 Sep - 6 Oct 1944
Notes
Content has come from The Unit Guide - Volume 3 - The Australian Army 1939-1945, pages 3.556 and 3.557 - Graham R McKenzie-Smith - Big Sky Publishing - 2018