8th Australian Infantry Division Signals Company

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Brief History

This unit was formed at Liverpool in New South Wales during July 1940. In September they moved to Ingleburn and to Bathurst in November 1940. While elements of the Division, and hence of the Signals Company travelled to the Middle EAast, a detachment travelled with the 24th Infantry Brigade Group to Kuala Lumpar in response to the increasing threat of Japan entering the war. Taking up a blocking position to defend Jahore, the 8th Division elements were in position by the time they were reorganised as the 'HQ AIF (Malaya) Signals. Following the rapid Japanese advance down the Malay Peninsular, the 8th Division with its Signals units wihdrew onto Singapore island where after a brief resistance all defenders were surrendered to teh Japanese forces. Towards the end, the signallers were used in an infantry role, with many joining the Snake Gulley Rifles. Those who survived then went into captivity for the rest of the war.

185 men died while posted to this unit, or while POWs.

Individual Awards

• 1 x Officer of the Order of the British Empire
• 1 x member of the Order of the British Empire
• 1 x Military Cross
• 1 x George Cross
• 1 x Distinguished Conduct Medal
• 2 x Military Medal
• 1 x Commendation for Gallantry
• 9 x Mentione din Despatches

Unit Personnel

• William Albert Arthur Parkin 31 Jul 1940 - 20 Aug 1945

Notes

Content has come from The Unit Guide - Volume 4 - The Australian Army 1939-1945, page 4.285 - Graham R McKenzie-Smith - Big Sky Publishing - 2018