New Guinea Force Detachment, Australian Army Canteen Service

4 Feb 1944 Unit reps collecting supplies at the Canteens Service issuing point, Dumpu, Ramu Valley. AWM photo 070144

Brief History

While Canteen staff had been sent to PNG previously, it wasn't until a re-organisation in July 1942 that New Guinea Line of Communication Area Canteens was formed as a separate unit at 3.5 Mile. Another bulk store was established at MIlne Bay by early 1943 with canteens in the base areas. In Septmeber 1943 they were renamed New Guinea Force Detachment, Australian Defence Canteen Service and by November had canteens at Lae, Nadzab, Finschhafen, and in the Ramu Valley in addition to Port Moresby and Milne Bay. By early 1944 they had also opened canteens at Sio, Terapo, Bulldog, Wau and Bulolo. In February they were renamed New Guinea Force Detachment, Australian Army Canteens Service. Following the capture of Madang, Australian troop numbers in PNG began to decline, leading to the closure of canteens at Sio, Ramu Valley and on the Bulldog road project. However, new ones opened at Madang and Alexishafen. The Milne Bay bulk store had also closed in September.

In late 1944 with the Australian troops taking the place of the US troops being withdrawn for action in the Phillippines a re-organisation occured. With buk stores at Lae and Port Moresby, they provided issuing points at Aitape, Madang, Jacquinot Bay and Torokina. Additional canteens operated at Cape Hoskins and ont he occupied outlyng islands. As troops moved forward in each of those areas, the canteens followed reaching Wewak, Nantambu, Waitavalo, Toko and Soraken by June 1945. Following the Japanese surrender, another opened at Rabaul to service the occupying troops.

Unit Personnel

• Thomas John Geary 16 Jan - 7 May 1943

Notes

Content has come from The Unit Guide - Volume 6 - The Australian Army 1939-1945, page 6.554 - Graham R McKenzie-Smith - Big Sky Publishing - 2018