Unofficial Infantry Front Line Service Medal : Private J G Wilson, 2/25 Australian Infantry Battalion

Unofficial Infantry Front Line Service Medal. Unnamed as issued.

Associated with the service of NX48728 Private John Graham Wilson, who was born on 3 August 1922 in Paddington, NSW. Wilson initially enlisted in the AMF with the service number N109970 and was posted to 60 anti-aircraft searchlight company with the rank of sapper. He served with this unit until October when he was called up for full time AIF service. Initially he was posted to 7 Armoured Regiment, but had his training interrupted by appendicitis. He was hospitalised on 8 December and after recovering from his surgery was released back to duty on 30 December. On 20 March 1942, Wilson was transferred to 3 Pioneer Company and was transferred again in late April to 1 Advanced Ordinance Depot. He embarked from Sydney with his unit on 25 August for service in New Guinea. He disembarked In Port Moresby on 8 September. Wilson spent time in hospital during his service with malaria and tropical skin infections. He returned to Australia on 10 July 1943. In early August, Wilson transferred to the infantry. After completing his training, he once again left Australia for New Guinea, this time embarking from Townsville on 31 October 1943. He disembarked in Port Moresby on 4 November and was sent to join the 2/25th Battalion. He was involved in the battalion's patrols through the Ramu-Markham valley and the Finistere Range. His malaria returned in January 1944 and he was sent to hospital where he remained until early April. Upon his release, he was flown back to Australia. Wilson spent the remainder of the war in and out of hospital as his malaria reoccurred and was discharged on 6 May 1946. In the years following the Second World War, Wilson joined the CMF and served into the 1950s.