This book was published in 2022 by Lyn Skillern from Leongatha. It contains research about the formation of Lark Force by the Australian Army during World War II, together with its deployment in the Pacific (particularly Rabaul, New Britain and New Ireland). This history has a Gippsland focus, with details of the men from this part of Victoria. Orbost men referred to in this book are Basil Andrew Ah Chow, Joseph William Cross, William Albert Jones, and Arthur Thomas McKenna.This book is significant because it records the service of Gippsland men in Lark Force, including those from Orbost, who served in this little known section of the Australian Army during World War II.A book of 160 pages, black cover, white and green print on black cover, many small photos of men/soldiers in a strip across the cover near the bottom. FORGOTTEN FOR TOO LONG The Gippslanders in Lark Force, 1941-42 Lyn Skillern lark force, world war ii, gippsland, orbost

non-fictionForgotten for too long; the Gippslanders in Lark Force 1941-42world war 1939-1945, rabaul, montevideo maru, lark force

Front dust cover flap - "Rabaul 1942 - a tragic memory/ This volume is intended to cover every man and/woman in Lark Force, the RAAF, the 1st Independent Company and the Rabaul N.G.V.R."Hard cover book with dust cover. Hardcover, cardboard with dark green buckram. Gold colour print on spine. Dustcover, paper, blue and white print on front and spine, background colour copy of a painting by Douglas Pratt. "Rabaul viewed from the Observatory". Front and back flaps have printed information. 295 pages, cut, plain, off white paper. Illustrated black and white maps and photographs. Endpapers - front and back - black ink print of map of New Guinea and Islands. Inscriptions - 1st page.Handwritten details - blue ink pen, "Donated by Mr. M. Brown" Stamp - black ink print. "BENDIGO DISTRICT RSL SUB BRANCH INC/ PO BOX 43/ LONG GULLY 3550".publication, book, military history, ww2, rabaul

"Lark Force" defended Rabaul made up of anti-aircraft, anti-tank and artillery batteries. Medical and supply units with 24 Squadron RAAF.Historical.Wooden plaque with metal emblem.2/22 Battalion Lark Force over Service Patch with Rabaul below. Service Number V X 37033 belonging to Pte. A.B.Bishop.

Frederick Birkin No VX32484 (born Castlemaine, enlisted Royal Park) in the 2nd AIF on 25.6.40 age 24 years. Attached to 2/22nd Batt known as “Lark Force” they were stationed in Rabaul awaiting a possible attack by the Japanese. The attack came in early 1942. Birkin was taken POW and his death was on 1.7.42. Numbers escaped, others were massacred at the TOL Plantation and many more of the total Force and civilians lost their lives on the Japanese prison ship “Montivedeo Maru” which was sunk by an American Submarine on 1.7.42. A small number survived this. The cards were all written on the back with name and number of men in Birkins unit prior to embarkation to Rabaul. All were traceable as to their fate or transfer to another unit prior to embarkation. Refer also 182.2, 183. Set of playing cards, red in colour, with 2 white figures sword fighting. Owned by Frederick Birkin.Cards have been written on reverse, in ink, by colleagues of Fred Birkin.documents, cards, personal effects, leisure activities

Ill, maps, p.295.The story of 'Lark Force', the 2/22nd Australian Infantry Battalion and support units, which defended Rabaul in 1942, with most of the Force becoming prisoners of the Japanese. world war 1939 – 1945 – campaigns – new guinea, world war 1939 – 1945 – personal narratives – australia