6th Australian Infantry Division Petrol Company

LCM loaded with fuel and other stores during a 6th Div exercise. AWM Photo 065219

Brief History

Formed in several states during November 1939, with the WA enlistments forming 'D' Sec Workshops. They were concentrated at Puckapunyal in December 1939, and the first flight left for the Middle East in January 1940. The main body left Australia in April 1940, and arrived in Palestine in May. The 6th Infantry Division Petrol Company moved to Ikingi Maryut in November. In December they moved to Salum. During the advance against the Italians in Libya, the unit was renamed 19th Infantry Brigade Company AASC. In February 1941 the unit returned to Egypt and was sent to Greece but didn't arrive until the withdrawal had begun. Evacuated to Crete, most of the unit was evacuated again to Julis in Palestine, losing some men as POWs to the German forces.

Rebuilt at Julis, and regaining its original name, in October the unit moved with the Division to Khasaa in Palestine. In December they were attached to the 17th Brigade at Dimas in Syria where they were again renamed, '2/2nd Company AASC in January 1942. When recalled to Australia, they moved first to Jericho in Jordon, and then to Khassa in February 1942 before boarding ships for Ceylon where they paused as part of AIF Ceylon. Leaving Ceylon in August, they gathered at Greta in New South Wales after leave. In December they moved to Milne Bay in New Guinea with the 17th Brigade, before moving to Port Moresby in January 1943. In May elements joined Goodenough Force while others were supporting troops in Wau. Soon after the Company was disbanded with personnel being sent to a range of like units.

Unit personnel

• Jack Cameron 8 Nov 1939 - 29 Aug 1940 & 16 Nov 1940 - 9 Jul 1941
• Thomas Douglas Bevan 24 Nov 1939 - 11 Jan 1940
• Kevin James Higgins 21 May 1940 - May 1945 - POW

Notes

Content has come from The Unit Guide - Volume 6 - The Australian Army 1939-1945 - pages 6.061 & 6.062 Graham R McKenzie-Smith - Big Sky Publishing - 2018