Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Amen Ali Bin (W37728), of ‘dark complexion’, was born in 1916 in Malaya. His profession was a diver. Ali Bin Amen first came to Australia in 1936 but returned to Singapore in 1939 until the Japanese Armies arrived in Johor. Then, in 1939 he arrived in Broome per Gorgon and was employed as a pearling indent by McDaniel and Son Ltd., Western Australia.

From 12 October 1941 until 24 April 1942 Amen served in the Defence Forces in Broome, with patrol duties for the Army. His ability as a seaman and language skills became noted by the military officials. On 1 May 1942, he impressed Lieutenant Davis, the naval officer in charge, to take lugger to Geraldton where ‘he was employed by the RAN, which ordered him a naval launch, with duties from Port Hedland to Darwin’.

After being trained, he started to work for Australian intelligence from 25 February 1943. He enlisted on 20 February 1944 in Claremont, WA and was posted to the ‘Z’ Special Unit on espionage and reconnaissance duties for the Government of Australia to such occupied places as ‘Moratai, Tarakan, Balikpapan, and Banjar Masin in Borneo’. There, perils could have come from disease, hostile locals, or surprising enemy attacks. However, he was already acclimated to the environment, using his knowledge of a local culture, geographical areas and skills of the local language. Beside ‘Z’ Special Unit he was also deployed in two other units, namely, 51 Water Transport Company and Headquarters 8 Anti-Aircraft Fortress Company Overseas service in the South West Pacific Area. After his service in Balikpapan, Corporal Amen Ali Bin returned to Australia.

Amen was discharged at Karrakatta and remained in Perth, WA for 4 months working for ex-servicemen. Soon he came back to Broome to work as a driver on a pearling lugger, making an application to continue to live in Australia. After the war, Amen received a positive response from the Department of Immigration to stay in Australia with his Australian wife and daughter. He was also issued the Pacific Star and the War Medal and the Australian Service Medal.


From the book:

Dzavid Haveric, 'A History of Muslims in the Australian Military from 1885 to 1945: Loyalty, Patriotism, Contribution’, Cambridge Scholars Publishing, London, 2024