General News
17 January, 2026
Veterans' Voices: Wallace Smyth Mintern
Wallace Smythe Mintern was born on June 24, 1918, in Horsham, Victoria, to Margaret Mintern.
He joined the Australian Army, enlisting on July 30, 1940. Wallace was living in Horsham when he enlisted.
His place of enlistment was Caulfield. His Service Number was VX47076. His next of kin was Margaret Mintern.
Wallace was 22 years old at enlistment. He was single.
Before enlistment, Wallace was a truck driver (Cartage Contractor).
He previously served in the 1st Armoured Car Regiment as a driver.
Wallace served continuous full-time service in the AIF from July 30, 1940, to December 4, 1945.
Wallace was posted overseas to the Middle East from April 10, 1941, to February 27, 1943.
He served in the South-West Pacific Area (S.W.P.A) from April 23, 1943, until November 15, 1945.
He served in active duty in Australia for 811 days and overseas for 896 days. He received the War Badge R.A.S.
1940-1943
On July 30, 1940, he was taken on strength RRD and posted to the 8th Division Cavalry Regiment on August 13, 1940.
Wallace was admitted to the 7 Australian General Hospital for vaccination on September 28, 1940.
He was discharged to his unit on October 4, 1940.
As a Graded Group 3 (Driver Mechanic), he embarked on HMT MM Convoy on April 10, 1941.
On April 22, he was to be Lt Corporal. He disembarked (place not listed) on May 14, 1941.
He attended Course No 13 (Driver Mechanic) and R.A.C. School M.E on August 1, 1941.
On July 31, 1942, he was promoted to Corporal. He rejoined his unit from R.A.C. School on September 2, 1941.
Wallace passed his course No. 13 R.A.C. School M.E on August 30, 1941.
Wallace was detached for special duties on November 24, 1941.
He rejoined his unit on February 15, 1942. Embarking on January 24, 1943, and disembarking on January 27, 1943.
On July 17, 1943, he was marched out to the 1 Cavalry and Training Regiment.
Wallace was awarded a commendation card for gallantry in action.
He was transferred in from the 2/9 Australian Regiment and taken on strength, being detached to D.M Course No 23 AFV School.
He was transferred out to the 2/9 Australian Cavalry Regiment, New Guinea Line of Communication Area, and taken on strength to the 2/9 Australian Cavalry Regiment.
He attended AFV School at Puckapunyal from August 10 to September 4, 1943.
Wallace’s rank was Corporal. He was recommended for supervision as a unit instructor on D & M Cars and the heavy Armoured M6.
Wallace trained at the Army School, part of the First Australian Army Regiment Training School. He completed examinations and trained in the use of weapons and instructional ability.
1944 - 1945
Wallace attended Training school attached to 7 AA Regiment from April 10 to May 21, 1944, to X list on March 31, 1944. He qualified and rejoined from the X list.
He transferred to the 2/11 Australian Commando Squadron on June 28, 1944 from the 2/9 Australian Cavalry (Commando) Regiment.
He was detached to RAE 1 Australian Corps on July 4, 1944. He was reattached to 2/9 Australian Calvary Commando Regiment on July 19, 1944.
Wallace embarked for Moratai per “USS General J.H McRae” (AP-149), which was a General G. O. Squier-class transport ship. One of her deployments was to take Australian troops from Townsville to Morotai in late April 1945. From Moratai, Wallace’s unit sailed on the LSI “Manoora”, disembarking in British North Borneo.
The LSI ‘Manoora” spent the latter part of 1940 - early 1943 on escort duties around Australia and to our north.
In early 1943, the Manoora was recommissioned, this time as a landing ship with the capacity to carry 1250 troops, 20-22 Landing Craft Vehicle Personnel (LCVP), and two Landing Craft Mechanised (LCM).
Used to transport troops to New Guinea and later to carry both Australian and US troops to landings in New Guinea and the Pacific Islands.
Along with Kanimbla, she took part in the landings at Morotai, Lingayen Gulf in the Philippines, Tarakan, and Brunei. She later performed transport duties around New Guinea, the Philippines, and Borneo.
At the end of his service there, he embarked on LST 160 for the mainland and transferred to Victorian Line of Command & General Despatch Depot (GDD) to prepare for discharge (Long Service). He was marched in for discharge, LTD, and discharged AMR&O.
Wallace Smythe Mintern was discharged on December 4, 1945.
His date of discharge was December 4, 1945. His posting at discharge was 2/11 Australian Commando Squadron.
Wallace Smyth Mintern died on March 10, 1979 at Horsham. He is buried in the Horsham Cemetery. Wallace was 61 years of age.
Commandos
The term commando has been applied to a variety of Australian special forces and light infantry units formed since 1941–42.
The first Australian "commando" units were formed during the Second World War, where they mainly performed reconnaissance and long-range patrol roles during Australia's campaigns in New Guinea and Borneo. However, other units, such as M and Z Special Units, performed more clandestine roles.
The 2/9th Cavalry (Commando) Regiment
The 2/9th Cavalry (Commando) Regiment was one of three commando regiments raised by the Australian Army for service during World War II. It was originally raised in 1940 as an armoured cavalry unit within the 8th Division, before being transferred to the 9th Division.
The first independent company was formed in June 1941, and by July 1942, another seven were raised.
Following a reorganisation of the independent companies and the 6th, 7th, and 9th Divisions' cavalry regiments, these divisions raised cavalry (commando) regiments to administer the independent companies. The names of the independent companies were subsequently changed to cavalry (commando) squadrons, and then to commando squadrons.
They served in New Guinea and supported the 6th Division in the Aitape-Wewak campaign. The 2/9th Commando Squadron took over the American observation posts at Palauru, Kamti, and Aiterap, and the commandos frequently patrolled across the Torricellis Ranges.
They assisted patrolling in the hills south of the Danmap River and made contact with the 2/7th Squadron at Walum. The 2/9th patrolled the Torricelli Ranges, moving down its southern slopes to the foothills.
The whole regiment was patrolling the many villages in the area. At the end of February, the 2/9th was placed under the command of the 2/3rd Machine Gun Battalion, and together they cleared the Japanese from Anumb and maintained posts at Walum, Aboama, and Malin.
In March, the commandos and a company of machine gunners advanced to Arohemi. After six days of fighting, on March 9, Arohemi was captured with the Australians having cleared the Japanese west of the Anumb River. With Arohemi's capture, the commandos returned to Aitape for a rest.
On May the 2/9th landing at Dove Bay, east of Wewak, as part of Farida Force. The 2/9th and 2/10th come ashore in the first waves to establish the beachhead. The 2/10th was given the task of defending the perimeter, while the next day, the 2/9th patrolled west along the coast towards Mandi.
Later in May and into June, the regiment was attached to the 19th Brigade, which was responsible for the area between Wewak and Mandi and for defending the Mandi-Brandi area. The regiment's task was to hold the Brandi Plantation and the crossroads at Mandi.
Thereafter, the 2/9th had a comparatively quiet time. After the war, it returned to Australia at the end of the year, and the 2/9th Commando Squadron was subsequently disbanded.
The 2/11th Commando Squadron
The 2/11th Commando Squadron was a commando unit raised by the Australian Army for service in World War II.
Raised in 1944, the unit saw action late in the war against the Japanese during the Borneo campaign in 1945.
As a part of this campaign, the squadron undertook landings on Labuan Island and at Brunei Bay.
Reference: Wilktree, AWM 2/11 cavalry commando squadron.
With thanks: Sally Bertram, RSL Military History Library. Contact Sally at sj.bertram@hotmail.com or call 0409 351 940.
