Hi guys, I've been on these forums for about a week now and I haven't properly introduced myself yet so here is my chance. I've had an interest in ww2 since I learnt that my great grandfather fought in the pacific during ww2. Recently, I obtained his service records and his war photos. He was mainly based in New Guinea and the islands surrounding it. He participated in America's island hopping campaigns and was tasked with rebuilding captured Airstrips. When he returned from the war he suffered from shellshock for a little while and would never speak of the war. His name was James William Waters and his unit was 6 airfield construction squadron. If anyone could help me with learning more that would be great. Another relative I would like to learn about is my great uncle Ronald McLean who fought in Malaya during ww2. Towards the end of the fall of Singapore he was captured P.O.W and was forced to build Burma Railway. Whilst building Burma railway his leg needed to be amputated for an unknown reason. He was wounded in the battle of Ayer hitam, here is the story: http://www.230battalion.org.au/history/stories/NX29973.htm Thanks for reading and if you could tell me anything about those 2 that I mentioned that would be great. Bye, Adam.
Welcome to the Forum, Adam. You have probably already discovered this, but the RAAF Air Power Development Centre website has a free PDF download of the book, Always First: The RAAF Airfield Construction Squadrons 1942-1974. There also appears to be an ACS Association website: Home of the Flying Shovels. I'm not sure if they're active, but it might be worthwhile to attempt to contact them.
Hi Adam. Nice to have you around. It would be helpful if you could scan and post whatever documents you have. You have a ton of information already, so we might be able to help. You might check here, too. I haven't read it ll, but it seems to cover some of what you need. http://www.radschool.org.au/magazines/Avalon/PDF/ACS.pdf
Adam welcome to this forum there are plenty of great people like Lou and Tommy who are willing to help you with further research!
@Tommy Yes I saw that ACS website and soon I will be contacting a member of 6 acs and seeing there was not a lot of members, he may of even known him (fingers crossed).
G'day! Commanders and personnel of RAAF No. 73 Wing Headquarters and its three squadrons, Nos. 75, 76 and 79, at Los Negros in the Admiralty Islands, May 1944. Somewhere in that picture, is my Grandfather.
Ah, interesting, my great grandfather was in 62 works wing headquarters for some time, so maybe we could exchange some findings. Thanks, Adam.
Here is a photo of 6 acs before departing to Nadzab, I doubt he was in her because around this time he was in hospital a lot because of Malaria and an eye disease.
Also another relative who was in the war is my great uncle: Leslie Aubrey McLean. From what I have heard, he put his age up to join the CMF so he may of been on the Kokoda track. The thing is there is no service records or nominal rolls of him so I think he may of not only changed his age, but maybe even his name.
