Caling, George John (Warrant Officer Class 2, b.1917 - d.1990)

Collection relating to the Second World War service of NX1803 Warrant Officer Class 2 George John ‘Bull’ Caling, 2/2 Australian Infantry Battalion, Second Australian Imperial Force, Australia and New Guinea, 1942-1945.

Wallet 1 of 1 – Consists of two documents relating to the service of Warrant Officer Class 2 George John ‘Bull’ Caling. The first document contains extracts from a speech by Major General George Alan Vasey, dated 28 September 1942. The speech relates to the imminent deployment of 6 Australian Division to New Guinea, and contains advice to prepare the troops for the environmental conditions and combat with the Japanese. The second document is a copy of a speech by Warrant Officer Caling, which was given at an Anzac Day function in Armidale, New South Wales, in the late 1940's. In his speech, Warrant Officer Caling gives a detailed account of his experiences of serving in the Battle of Sanananda in New Guinea.

Oversize Item 1 of 1 – Consists of one map of the Kokoda Trail, traced in October 1943 by the 2/2 Australian Infantry Battalion Intelligence Section for Warrant Officer Caling. This map shows the barometric levels of various points on the Kokoda Trail.

Warrant Officer Class 2 George John Caling enlisted to the Second Australian Imperial Force on 23 October 1939. After a period of training, he embarked for overseas service in early 1940. Warrant Officer Caling served with 2/2 Australian Infantry Battalion in Egypt, Libya, Greece and Celylon, before returning to Australia in August 1942. He went on to serve with his unit in New Guinea, and was involved in the Kokoda Trail Campaign. Warrant Officer Caling was discharged on 15 June 1945.