SHEPPARTON resident Dawn Taylor has recently returned from Ambon Indonesia. Dawn travelled to Ambon to attend the Anzac Day ceremony conducted by the Australian Military Attache stationed at the Australian Embassy, Jakarta and to commemorate her uncle, Sgt Bruce Kay VX27174, killed in action 1st February 1942. Dawn accompanied 19 members of the Gull Force Association as they travelled to Ambon on a pilgrimage to honour the soldiers of the 2/21st AIF known as Gull Force.
Gull Force arrived in Ambon in December 1941 to assist the Dutch in protecting the island from the Japanese and arguably to slow the movement of the Japanese towards Australia. The 2/21st Battalion consisted of 1,131 men and they joined with a similar size Dutch force as well as a thousand or so local Ambonese people that were members of the Dutch force.
The Japanese landed on Ambon on January 30 with an estimated 25,000 soldiers. Needless to say, the Australian and Dutch forces although putting up a strong defence, were enormously outnumbered and surrendered by February 2. Approx 47 men were killed in action (KIA), 11 managed to escape. As is known in many areas of WW2 history, the Japanese were extremely cruel captors. 229 of the 2/21st soldiers were massacred within the first two weeks of captivity, those remaining were placed in Tantui camp, their former barracks which now became their prison camp. During 1942, 263 prisoners were transported from Ambon to another Japanese camp on Hainan, a Chinese island held by the Japanese. They were prisoners for almost four years.
Of those 1,131 men, at wars end, September 1945, only 300 of the 2/21st soldiers were repatriated to Australia.
After the war the remaining veterans formed the Gull Force Association and during the sixties, seventies and eighties returned to Ambon to pay respects to their fallen mates but also to assist the people of Ambon in as many ways as possible due to the fact many local people smuggled food to prisoners at high risk to themselves and many aided those escaping.
Gull Force Association helped set up tanks and water systems in several villages, providing materials and equipment for local hospitals and training for nurses. Although the last veteran of the 2/21st passed away in March this year, the GFA Members continue the good works. Dawn was thrilled to attend a local orphanage and contribute food and funds to assist Caleb House who currently have 21 orphans. She also attended two schools and a local village with members to provide aid. Another village saw Gull Force Association provide food for lunch and feed the many who came, the local people then feed our members, this is a traditional way visiting and welcoming.
Most members on the visit had a family member involved in the 2/21st Btn. We were also fortunate to be Joined by author Joan Beaumont AM, FASSA, who in 2025 is releasing a revised edition of her book, Gull Force, Survival and Leadership in Captivity, 1941-1945. It was terrific to have her expert knowledge there with us.
Dawn said the service at the Commonwealth War Graves Cemetery (CWCG) at Tantui was indeed very moving and she hopes to return in the future to take part in both commemorating and giving.
In Australia when the words, Changi, Thai Burma Railway, Kokoda trail, are spoken most Australians think of suffering and bravery! The word Ambon should have a similar affect.
Further information on Facebook at 2/21st Battalion, Gull Force, WW2 and webpage: gullforce.org.au
