Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Ronald William Kruse (know in Bunbury as Ted Johnson)

Born in Albert Park, Melbourne, Victoria

Having three separate WW2 enlistments, he used three different years of birth, being;
- 30 May 1920 (CMF 1941)
- 30 May 1918 (AIF 1941)
- 30 May 1922 (RAAF 1943)

Enlisted in the Citizen Military Force at Royal Park, Melbourne on 2 January 1941 age claimed as 20y 7m 3d

Allocated as V9746 Gunner with 4th Anti-Aircraft Battery

Discharged for enlistment into the AIF on 3 April 1941

Enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force at Royal Park, Melbourne on 4 April 1941 age claimed as 22y 10m 5d

Allocated as VX52735 Gunner with 2/2nd Field Regiment, Reinforcements

In July he was charged being AWL & sentenced to 6 months internment at Bendigo Detention Barracks though was suspended & then fined 50- with good behavior

In August he was declared as a deserter though rejoined the unit in October

Appointed A/Bombardier on 26 November 1941

Transferred to 2/4th Independent Company on 2 January 1942

Transferred to 2/1st Independent Company, 1st Reinforcement on 30 January 1942

Embarked for New Guinea on 27 February 1942 & disembarked at Port Moresby on 9 March

**At this time, the main body of the 1st AIC was already deployed to Kavieng, New Ireland, to protect Kavieng airfield whilst other sections were sent to Namatanai on New Ireland, Vila in the New Hebrides, Tulagi on Guadalcanal, Buka on Bougainville, and Lorengau on Manus Island to act as observers

Transferred to New Guinea Force Training Centre on 3 April 1942

Appointed A/Sergeant (Instructor) on 23 April 1942

Transferred to 2/5th Independent Company (Staff) on 8 May 1942

Transferred to New Guinea Force Training Centre on 24 May 1942

Returned to Australia on 10 June 1942

Transferred to No. 7 Infantry Training Centre (Commando Training Centre, Tidal River)
**The title "No. 7 Infantry Training Centre" was a cover to hide the fact that "commando" training was taking place

Married Veronica Joyce Allen on 26 January 1943

Marched out to attend RAAF examination on 21 May 1943

Discharged for enlistment into the RAAF on 30 June 1943

Enlisted in the Royal Australian Air Force at No.1 Recruit Centre on 13 July 1943 age claimed as 21y 1m 13d

Allocated as 435653 Aircraftman, mustered as Airman Pilot Trainee & to No1 Initial Training School

Appointed Leading Aircraftman on 6 November 1943 & to No.11 Elementary Flying Training School

Posted to No.7 Service Flying Training School on 11 February 1944

Awarded Flying Badge on 23 August 1944

Appointed T/Sergeant on 28 August 1944

Listed AWL on 28 October 1944 & apprehended by service police on 7 November

Posted to No.8 Operational Training Unit on 16 November 1944

Discharged at own request due to being surplus to Aircrew requirements on 20 February 1945

Was awarded the Pacific Star, War Medal & Australian Service Medal