Sleeve insignia : Sergeant W J Rowlinson, 3 Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment

Section of a khaki wool uniform sleeve with an embroidered British Commonwealth Division cloth formation sign sewn to the top part of the sleeve material showing a yellow and red King's crown above 'COMMONWEALTH' in yellow, on pale blue cloth. Beneath are three khaki woven chevrons denoting the rank of sergeant.

William Josiah Rowlinson was born at Balgowlah, NSW, in 1919. After pre-war cadet service with 17 Battalion, he joined the AIF in June 1941, serving as NX37487 with 2/7 Armoured Regiment, a unit which did not see service outside Australia. In November 1944, seeking a combatant role, he transferred to 1 Australian Parachute Battalion, reverting to private from the rank of sergeant, but the war ended before this unit saw action. After a period with 113 Australian General Hospital as a volunteer in tropical disease research, Rowlinson was awarded the Commander-in-Chief's Commendation Card, but took his discharge from the Army in 1946. In 1950, he re-enlisted for service in Korea, becoming number 2/400239 with 3 RAR. Twice wounded in Korea during 1951, he was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal and Bar for his gallant conduct in the battles of Kapyong and Maryang-San, becoming the most highly decorated Australian soldier of the war. In early 1952 he was commissioned as a lieutenant in the regular army, but later in the year, while giving instruction in the use of explosives at Ingleburn, he was seriously injured in a Gelignite explosion, his right hand and forearm being amputated as a result. He recovered from his injuries, remaining in the army until 1957, and reaching the rank of Captain. Bill Rowlinson died in the late 1990s.