8th Australian Field Company, RAE

[[File:]]

Brief History

the 8th Australian Filed Company was mobilised at Bathurst in NSW during December 1941 before moving to Wallgrove where it was attached to the 8th Australian Infantry Brigade then in reserve to the forces protecting Sydney's beaches. In March 1942 they moved to St Ives before moving again to Greta in June. The 2nd Infantry Division was then sent to Western Australia, with the 8th Field Company arriving in Melville in July 1942 before moving to Gingin in August and to Utakarra racecourse near Geraldton in November. In March 1943 the unit moved to Moora, to Northam in July and to Strawberry Siding east of Dongara in August. In September the unit left WA for Sydney.

After leave the unit reassembled at Kairi in north Queensland and in January 1944 they went to Finschhafen, advancing along the Rai Coast to Saidor before moving to Madang in May. In October the first of their platoon moved to Hollandia, and by November all but one platoon were at Hollandia. They moved back to Lae in February 1945 to work on construction projects, with one platoon supporting the 8th Infantry Brigade patrolling the coast near Madang. In July 1945 the 8th Australian Field Company RAE rejoined the 8th Australian Infantry Brigade at Wewak, with one platoon still in Madang supporting the 4th Infantry Battalion.

Unit Personnel

• Stanley George Jarick