Watch List notes:

Group of Four to POW at Changi: 1939-45 Star; Pacific Star; War Medal 1939-45; Australia Service Medal 1939-45. NX37593 J.P.Commans. All medals impressed. Extremely fine.

John Poole Commans, unemployed, age 37, born at Ballarat, Vic; Enl.17Jun1941 at Recruiting Depot at Martin Place, Sydney, NSW; served with 2/30 Bn 30Jun1941 to 13Aug1946; TOS 2/30 Bn 30Jun1941; Emb.29Jul1941 to Singapore; WIA no date but reported 16Jan1942 GSW elbow; POW reported 03Jul1943, Malaya; recovered from Changi POW Camp 05Sep1945; RTA 15Sep1945; Disch.13Aug1946; Died 27Jan1978 and cremated at Rookwood Cemetery; commemorated at The Australian Ex-Prisoners of War Memorial at Ballarat, Victoria (see 2 coloured photos with lot).

The 2/30 Infantry Battalion was formed on 22 November 1940 at Tamworth, New South Wales and was the last AIF infantry brigade raised for service in World War II. The first commanding officer was Lieutenant Colonel F.G. 'Black Jack' Galleghan and his men became known as 'Galleghan's greyhounds'. After arriving at Singapore the battalion went to Malaya where they ambushed the Japanese at Gemas in the first AIF attack against the Japanese army and inflicted severe casualties on the enemy. They then fought in the defence of Singapore but the British commander order a surrender and the 2/30 Battalion members spent the next three and a half years as prisoners of war. The men were used as labourers including being sent to work on the Burma-Thailand railway. Over 300 men of the 2/30th died as POWs. After the war ended in August 1945 the allied prisoners were repatriated to Australia.

With copy of Service File, other research and medals box of issue.