Vic. c October 1958. 34464 Sergeant John Richard Cousins having his parachute kit checked by an ...

Vic. c October 1958. 34464 Sergeant John Richard Cousins having his parachute kit checked by an unidentified Officer, possibly at the Citizen Military Forces Basic Parachute Course at the Air Support Unit Education Centre. Sergeant Cousins previously served in the AIF (VX87342) with the 2/3rd Pioneer Battalion in Tarakan between April and December 1945, remaining with the unit until 15 August 1946. In September 1946, he began a carpenter's course under the Commonwealth Reconstruction Training Scheme, which was terminated in May 1950. He then re-enlisted (3/400022) in the Regualar Army Special Reserve (K Force) on 8 August 1950. He served in Korea with 9 Platoon, 3rd Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment (3RAR) between September 1950 and October 1951, and was awarded the United States Bronze Star "for courage in assaulting the enemy" on 22 October 1951. On 18 July 1952 he transferred to the Australian Regular Army (34464) and served as a member of the Queen's Guard Australian Coronation Contingent between April and October 1953. He served with C Company, 2nd Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment (2RAR) in Malaya from October 1955 and October 1957, and later volunteered and served with the Australian Army Training Team Vietnam (AATTV) in 1971 and 1972. (Donor P. George)