JOSSTEN, Anthony
| Service Numbers: | PN513, P513 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 9 March 1942, Civilian guide who worked with HQ 1st Australian Army |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 1 Papuan Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Namatanai, New Ireland (NG), 24 December 1920 |
| Home Town: | Not yet discovered |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Storeman/Clerk |
| Died: | Illness, New Britain, New Britain, Pacific Islands, 14 May 1946, aged 25 years |
| Cemetery: |
Rabaul (Bita Paka) War Cemetery, Papua New Guinea Plot: W. A. 3. |
| Memorials: | Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour |
World War 2 Service
| 3 Sep 1939: | Involvement Private, PN513, 1 Papuan Infantry Battalion | |
|---|---|---|
| 9 Mar 1942: | Enlisted Australian Army (Post WW2), Australian New Guinea Administrative Unit, Civilian guide who worked with HQ 1st Australian Army | |
| 3 Apr 1945: | Enlisted Australian Army (Post WW2), Private, P513, 1 Papuan Infantry Battalion | |
| 3 Apr 1945: | Enlisted Australian Military Forces (WW2) , Private, P513 |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by Paul Trevor
THE ENLISTMENT of P513 Pte JOSSTEN, Anthony.
"HQ 1st Australian Army requested ANGAU (Australian and New Guinea Administative Unit) to provide a guide to work with patrols in the BUKA district.
The best man available for this purpose in Anthony JOSSTEN, whose father was Danish and his mother was a New Ireland native woman.
He has been a resident for a long period in the BUKA district in the employ of a chinese trader.
After the Japanese landing he spent nine months attached to Major REID of ANGAU in a watching post near BUKA. He was then evacuated to GUADALCANAL by submarine and was employed by the US Forces to make a recce of TOROKINA prior to the landing. He had a thorough knowledge of native dialects and was fearless in patrol activities. He was Medically fit A1, aged 25 and from the security point of view, quite suitable for the job.
It was realised that it would have been improper to have used JOSSTEN as a civilian in patrols in enemy territory as he would have no combatant rights and would not be entitled to take up arms against the Japanese. As through ack of knowledge he had been used in this capacity and had been in action against the Japanese, it was then desired to regularise his position.
In the circumstances and in view of the urgent need for information on dispositions in the KIETA area, it was requested that authority be obtained under Regulation 11 of the National Security (Supplementary) Regulations for his enlistment. In view also of the requirements of his services at an early date it was requested that the normal recruit training be dispensed with in this case. It was recommended that the HQ be authorised to enlist JOSSTEN in the Pacific Island Regiment and be posted to A Company New Guinea Infantry Battalion in the BUKA area. He could then be detached for duty as required.
P513 Pte Anthony JOSSTEN HQ Pacific Island Regiment and attached to 31/51 Infantry Battalion - Died of an Illness at 118 Australian General Hospital, Rabaul, New Britain on Tuesday, 14 May 1946, Aged 25 and is buried in Bita Paka Cemetery, Rabaul, New Britain; Grave No: W.A.3. He was awarded the British Empire Medal (BEM) in the Civilian Class for Outstanding Courage on Bougainville between Oct 1944 to Mar 1945. The medal was fowarded posthumously to a friend of his - Robert PITT of the Marist Mission in Sydney, NSW. He was born on 24 Dec 1920 at Namatanai, New Ireland in the territory of New Guinea." SOURCE (www.australian-pow-ww2.com)
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