Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

D’Arcy Dudley Eccles was the son of Thomas and Gladys, Thomas was a returned soldier who had served on the Western Front with the 30th Battalion during World War One, and then during the Second World War re-enlisted and was posted to 16 Garrison Battalion at Hay, N.S.W. D’Arcy was born at Bowning, near Yass, New South Wales, on 6 February 1926. He attained his Intermediate certificate, first attending Yass High School and then Hay High School, passing in physics, English, history, geography, chemistry, woodwork and technical drawing.
The Eccles family moved from Yass to Hay, New South Wales at the outbreak of World War Two. After leaving school, D’Arcy was employed in the drapery section of McClures Department Store in Hay.
One month after his 18th birthday on 25 March 1944 he enlisted in Citizen Air Force. He trained as a Wireless Air Gunner. On 16 June 1945 he was discharged at his request to enlist in the Army.
On 7 August 1945 D’Arcy was taken on strength at Paddington before marching in to HQ Recruit Training Centre to complete his basic training. Between 30 October 1945 and 12 February 1946, he was stationed at 4 Australian Recruit Training Battalion. On 11 July 1946 he began training at 4 Artillery Battalion in preparation for his departure for Japan.
On 15 October 1946, he was marched out for embarkment on the “H.M.S. Kanimbla” for service with the British Commonwealth Occupation Force in Japan. (B.C.O.F.) where he joined the 66th Infantry Battalion.
The “Kanimbla” was an Armed Merchant Cruiser/Landing Ship Infantry, her displacement was almost 11,000 tons, 469 feet in length and a speed of 19 knots. Between October 1946 and June 1948, she made a number of voyages between Sydney and Japan transporting members of the British Commonwealth Occupation Forces.
While serving in Kure, Japan he met up with his brother Lloyd who was also serving in the B.O.A.C. In January 1948 D’Arcy signed on for a six-year term of service with the new 66th Battalion which was renamed 2nd Battalion, Australian Regiment, 2RAR. On 20 March 1948 he embarked at Kure, Japan for Australia arriving home on 7 April 1948. While back in Australia his battalion was stationed at Puckapunyal where he undertook promotion courses involving training new recruits.
When the Korean War began in June 1950, 2RAR continued to train Regular Army and
K-Force soldiers for service in Korea with 3RAR.
On 27 July 1950 Prime Minister Robert Menzies announced that, in addition to the Air
and Naval forces already committed, Australia would raise a contingent of ground troops
for service in the Korean War. The Australian Government decided that the 3rd
Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment (3 RAR), which was then stationed in Japan as
part of the British Commonwealth Occupation Force (B.C.O.F.), would form the nucleus of this contingent.
On 6 July 1951 D’Arcy Eccles left Japan for Korea. He was promoted to Acting Company Sergeant Major. The first two months in Korea were relatively quiet for the battalion but at the end of September they were committed to Operation Commando, they moved into attack position on 2 October 1951. The Battle of Maryang San began on 3 October 1951, the 28th Commonwealth Brigade, including 3 RAR, took part in a general advance. On 5 October 1951, while British regiments attacked further west, 3 RAR fought in difficult terrain and heavy mist to draw the Chinese from the main ridgeline. 3 RAR eventually occupied the summit. On 7 October 1951 they had captured “The Hinge” where the Chinese were located. When “The Hinge” was captured the Australians were heavily bombarded from the Chinese artillery. On 8 October 1951 the Chinese were unsuccessful and withdrew its position. The Australians held Maryang San. The casualties were great, 20 Australian soldiers died and 104 were wounded.
Amongst the 104 Australian soldiers wounded was 2/947 D’Arcy Dudley Eccles. He suffered shrapnel wounds to the left side of neck, he was taken to the Regimental Aid Post, (R.A.P.) where he was airlifted by helicopter to a nearby M.A.S.H. unit. His injuries were fatal, and he died during the flight
Sgt D’Arcy Dudley Eccles was buried in the United Nations Military Cemetery at Tanngok but was later reinterred in the United Nations Memorial Cemetery at Pusan, Korea. His grave is located at 28-5-2 Grave 1022. He was only 25. Serving for only 84 days.