Explore the legacy of the Forgotten Force
Dive into our curated collection of resources and research materials dedicated to the British Commonwealth Occupation Force (Australian Contingent), the "Forgotten Force" of 1946 to 1948. Discover the stories, sacrifices, and vital contributions of these men and women who brought a true peace to Australia and the world.
Private albums & personal stories
Uncover the personal side of history through intimate private photo albums and moving individual stories from BCOF veterans and their families. These firsthand accounts offer unique insights into their experiences, resilience, and the challenges they faced during their service in Japan, including natural disasters, epidemics, and hostility.
File: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1503252588113271/media/albums
Private Photos of
Roy Alfred Nightingale
Ian Ramsey Hinwood
Dudley Lloyd Keep
Gerald Sidney Joyce
Norman Lyle
Alexander Johnston
Mervyn Harold Kay
John Gibbons
John Alan Entwistle Collection (5 Albums)
Unit Photos
65 Battalion
66 Battalion
67 Battalion
130 Australian General Hospital
10 Bomb Disposal Platoon
34 Brigade
34 Brigade Signals
BCOF RAAF
BCOF RAN
Locations
Kure 1946 – 1952
Hiroshima 1945 – 1952
Japan 1946 -1948
Nagasaki 1946 – 1952
Vasey Barracks 1947
Official records & historical documents
Access invaluable military unit records and government files that shed light on the operational aspects and official narratives of the BCOF. These documents provide a comprehensive understanding of their mission, including the oversight of the destruction of Japanese war materials and chemical munitions, and their significant role in post-war reconstruction.
Files: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1503252588113271/files/files
BCOF Wreath Laying 2000
BCOF Roll of Honor 1946 - 1952
Nominal Roll 66th Battalion
81st Fighter Wing RAAF BOFU
24 Brigade BCOF
McArthur / Northcott Agreement 18 December 1945
Treaty of San Francisco 1951 (End of War)
Instrument of Surrender 1945
British Commonwealth Occupation Force Story (work ongoing)
Files : https://www.facebook.com/groups/1503252588113271/media/albums
War Diary 119 Transport Platoon 1946
War Diary 168 General transport Company
War Diary 65th Battalion
Standard Orders for all Infantry Battalions 1946
Unit Dispositions 1947
New articles and information added regularly
Multimedia insights & ongoing research
Explore a rich array of resources including Australian War Memorial (AWM) videos, archived event details, and historical newspaper articles. This section is continually growing with more resources to come, aiming to ignite a curiosity to know more and understand the profound impact of the "Forgotten Force" on our way of life.
File: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1503252588113271/media/videos
https://www.facebook.com/media/set?set=oa.947229604732375&type=3
(Note Many Historic Videos have no sound)
Disposal of Japanese Ammo 1946
Recreation Hotel 1947
General view of the damage caused by the atom bomb dropped on Hiroshima.
Today, BCOF's 2nd anniversary, 2,300 officers, men and members of the Women's Services paraded in Anzac Park
Anzac day 1948 On Sunday 25 April 1948,
HQ 34th Australian Infantry Brigade to commemorate the 160th anniversary of the foundation of the Australian nation 1947
Arrival and disembarkation of Australian Army Medical Women's Service (AAMWS) personnel from the hospital ship Manunda at Kure, Japan. 1946
Two Landing Ship, Tank (LST) arrived at Morotai from Balikpapan on 19 November 1945
Parade of 65 Australian Infantry Battalion on 20 September 1946, at the Imperial Palace Plaza, Tokyo.
Stanford Victory with Many troops on board was greeted at Kure Harbour, Japan, by a RAN Marine Band and Naval ratings. February 1946
He volunteered for duty with the RAAF .Bruce was involved in ferrying a Mustang to Japan, and tells the story of the dangers associated with a long overwater ferry flight.
BCOF Commemoration Service in Australia around 2010
BCOF , The Forgotten Force
Les Jeffries 130 Australian General Hospital
Hmas Manoora Long shot panorama of harbour - many Landing craft moored along the wharf 1946
Bcof Provost Parade
Minor War Trials Yokohama 1947
Salvage of Japanese Warships
Cabling Japan
From Japan to Australia 1948
Dogoyama Winter.
OUR THANKS
We pride ourselves on our adaptability and commitment to excellence in every aspect of our service. Explore what we have to offer and how we can contribute to your success in understanding our past and the men and women who made it so.
We would like to thank our contributors and our Sources.
Our Sources : National Archives , Australian War Memorial, Trove Papers, Government Records Dept and Office of Army Records, Museums of 1,2 and 3 Battalions of the Royal Australian Regiment and our researcher Mr R J Nightingale LA ex 9th Battalion Royal Queensland Regiment and War Historian.
Our Contributors : Mrs Denise Perentin, The Hinwood Family, The Kay Family , The Entwistle Family, The Johnston Family, Mr Ross Keep, The Lyle Family , The Joyce Family and The Nightingale Family
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