Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Trooper Ted Jones, was an 18 year old from Bathurst in 1943 when he signed up for war service. Jonesy completed infantry training and was posted to 41st Battalion second A I F. They set up defensive positions around Newcastle and the New South Wales mid north coast and were tasked with the defence of possible Japanese landings in Australia. Bored of guard duty and no action, Jonesy and his mates snuck out on the cans for the night, but he was caught charged with AWOL. Jonesy just wanted a chance to get stuck into the japs so he volunteered for commando training. He passed the testing and did the gruelling commando selection and training course at Canungra in Queensland. He completed guerrilla warfare training, unarmed combat, jungle warfare, reconnaissance, communications, demolitions and water operations training. By mid 1944 he completed his training cycle and was posted to 2/11 Commando Squadron. Jonesy and his mates, some of the fire test and most capable soldiers of the A I F, headed to the Atherton tablelands and began training and preparation to spearhead operation Oboe Six, an amphibious assault on Japanese occupied North Borneo. On 10 June 1945 following naval bombardment they charged onto the Labuan Island beaches securing landing points for the infantry and supports that followed. The commandos then met and partnered with local tribes, they moved inland and located and probed the main Japanese defensive positions at Lyon Ridge called the Pocket. They joined the 2/28th Battalion to assault and soon were in heavy fighting, their Chaplain having to get amongst the fighting to help stretcher injured commandos and infantry out. After solid few days of fighting and arrival of tanks they cleared the main position and Labuan Island. Jonesy and his commando squadron moved to mainland Borneo landing at Memkapul, they had to clear the Klias Peninsula. They advanced and assaulted through villages of Malikai, Karajan, Sabang and Kuala Penyu, the Japanese soldiers put up a fierce defence but were no match for the hard hitting commandos. Japan surrendered and the war over Jonesy headed home and met Betty, settled on the Gold Coast and had four children. He was a very successful businessman in the transport and storage industry. Jonesy lived to age 84. Lest we forget, the unassuming yet toughest of the tough commandos of Borneo, NX173818 Trooper Edmund ‘Ted’ Jones.

Sources; AWM unit history, Jackdog productions, NAA service records