| Places | |
|---|---|
| Accession Number | REL33836 |
| Collection type | Heraldry |
| Object type | Colour Patch |
| Physical description | Wool felt |
| Maker |
Unknown |
| Date made | c 1939-1943 |
| Conflict |
Second World War, 1939-1945 |
Colour patch : Captain C N Swinton, 2/2 Australian Infantry Battalion
Description
Horizontally aligned, rectangular colour patch for 2/2 Australian Infantry Battalion. The patch is made of wool felt, divided purple over green on grey background.
History / Summary
Cloth patch from a uniform worn by NX1837 Captain C N Swinton during the Second World War. Courtney Norman Swinton was born at Casino, NSW on 24 August 1918. He was working as a bank clerk when he enlisted in the AIF in November 1939. Swinton was promoted to sergeant, then to lieutenant soon after. In early 1940, he embarked for the Middle East with the 2/2nd Battalion, AIF.
In January 1941 Swinton was wounded at Bardia, Libya, but went on to take part in the Battalion's actions in Greece and Crete in April and May 1941 and later Syria. During this period Swinton served as Aide-de-Camp to the Commanding Officer (CO) of the 7th Division, Major General Arthur Samuel 'Tubby' Allen. After serving in the Middle East, Swinton served in Ceylon (present day Sri Lanka), as CO of a Bren Carrier Platoon.
Now a captain, Swinton returned to Australia in September 1942 as CO of C Company, 2/2nd Battalion. He was immediately sent to New Guinea and served on the Kokoda Trail and the northern beachheads. The battalion fought major engagements at Templeton's Crossing (20 October), Oivi (5-12 November) and the Sanananda Track (21 November-10 December). 2/2 Battalion started this campaign with 670 men. After two months of fighting, the battalion returned to Port Moresby with 88 men.
In June 1943, Swinton left the AIF to enlist in the RAAF. He was allocated the service number 439345 and the rank of pilot officer. In December he travelled to Canada for training. Swinton returned to Australia in October 1944 and was posted to a number of locations, including Aircrew School, Watsonia, Vic and 8 OTU (Operational Training Unit), Parkes, NSW. Swinton was promoted to flying officer in February 1945.
The war ended in August 1945, and a month later Swinton received his discharge. This enabled him to take a position with Qantas Airways; however, Swinton maintained an interest in the RAAF, serving in the RAAF Reserve from January 1950 to November 1952.