Studio portrait of some members of the 2nd Independent Company. In 1941 the unit was sent to ...

Studio portrait of some members of the 2nd Independent Company. In 1941 the unit was sent to Timor and became part of Sparrow Force. Their role was to defend the airfields of Dili, East Timor. When the Japanese invaded on 20 February 1942, they retreated to the mountains and conducted guerilla warfare against the overwhelming Japanese force. 2 Independent Company was renamed 2/2 Independent Company in 1943 and were withdrawn from Timor in December. They later served in New Guinea and New Britain. In October 1943 the unit was again renamed, becoming 2/2 Cavalry Commando Squadron. Top row fifth from left is WX9938 Pte Stanley Ludlow of Lakewood, WA, who died on 18 November 1945 following a motorcycle accident, aged 28; fourth row third from right is WX12024 Lance Corporal (L/Cpl) William Ivor Holly, of Cottesloe, WA, who was killed in action in New Guinea on 27 August 1942, aged 23; second row fourth from left is possibly W28288 Lieutenant Charles Joseph Boylan; second row sixth from left is WX10167 Lance Corporal Robert Ewen Oliver (alias Robert Ewan) of Cue, WA, who was killed in action in Timor on 14 August 1942, 30; front row second from left is possibly WX15901 Private John Graham Rich, of Denmark, WA, formerly of London, England, who was killed in action on 8 December 1943 in New Guinea, aged 33; front row third from right is WX12004 Private John George Roffey.

• Informal portrait of the three Ludlow brothers, identified left to right, 45239 Aircraftman ...