Branch of Service

Army

Conflict

World War II (1939-1945)

Date of Enlistment

25/10/1939

Place of Enlistment

Bendigo, Victoria

Gender

Male

Date of Birth

27/09/1918

Place of Birth

Kew, Victoria

Address (at enlistment)

Hotel Ainslie, Braddon ACT

Occupation

Barman

Next of Kin

Arnold Caulfield (father), Hotel Ainslie, Braddon ACT

Service Number

VX5282, NX191660 (N242508)

Final Rank

Private

Final Unit

36 Australian Infantry Battalion

Caulfield enlisted in 1939 with the 2/5 Battalion but was discharged on 21 February 1940. He belonged to the 3rd Battalion (militia) and was working at the Hotel Ainslie when he was mobilised in Canberra on 10 August 1940. His service file states that he had pulmonary tuberculosis but despite this he was allowed to sail with a contingent of 3 Battalion in May 1942, arriving in Port Moresby a few days later. With other men from his battalion, he joined Maroubra Force on the Kokoda track on 5 September 1942 and fought with 3 Battalion at Ioribaiwa and Imita Ridge. In early October the 3rd Battalion began advancing along the Track and reached Engineers Ridge where Caulfield was a member of a burial party for Australians killed during the retreat. A few weeks later he was part of the battle at Templetons Crossing and in early November at Oivi before he was evacuated with ulcers on his legs. He was transferred to the 36th Battalion in June 1943 before enlisting in the AIF on 14 February 1944 'in the field', though he stayed with his battalion. He served in New Britain, where the 36th Battalion fought the Japanese across the Gazelle Peninsula towards Rabaul, until returning to Australia in June 1945.

Description - height 5 feet 9½ inches, green eyes, fair complexion, light brown hair, Presbyterian.

WWII Nominal Roll http://www.ww2roll.gov.au
NAA RecordSearch - Series B883 (Second Australian Imperial Force Personnel Dossiers, 1939-1947)
NAA RecordSearch - Series A6237 (Exhibits of the Commission of Inquiry into Japanese Forces Atrocities), Exhibit A