Soon after the Japanese moved into Timor, the Australians were without communications to the ...

Soon after the Japanese moved into Timor, the Australians were without communications to the mainland and under the direction of a young technician TX4745 Signalman (Sig) Max Lyndon Loveless built a wireless set powerful enough to contact the Australian mainland. The wireless set became known as Winnie the war-winner. When they finally contacted the mainland their identification was challenged. The mainland signal officer sent back a message "What is the Christian name of Jack Sargent's wife?" The signaller at the Timor end was Jack Sargent and he sent back the message "Kathleen", which established the bona fides of the original message. Three of the men who helped Sig Loveless are shown deep in the mountains operating part of the wireless set. Identified left to right: Sig Keith Richards; Corporal John Donovan; QX18071 Sergeant John Henry Sargent, of Glenn Innes, NSW. All belong to 2/2nd Independent Company which became known as Sparrow Force.