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Shorty 1945

Wewak, New Guinea. 1945. Portrait of TX5600 Corporal John Matthew Corbett (who served under the alias Edwin Howard Lukes), 2/10 Commando Squadron, looking like a modern 'Robin Hood' with a bird of paradise feather in his headgear on patrol duty at Brandi Plantation.

Photo by Terry Gibson courtesy Australian War Memorial Canberra
ID Number 018578

Name: Corbett J.M.(Lukes. E. H.)
Service No: TX5600
Rank: Cpl.
Unit:10

 VIEW COMPLETE SERVICE RECORD

Brief History

Joined the Army Burnie Tasmania under the name of Edwin Howard Lukes. Put his age up 3 Years & enlisted as Gp. 1 Fitter July 1941. Embarked M.E HHt Queen Elizabeth 01/09/1941.After Pearl Harbour 07/12/1941 He stowed away on SS City of Hankow Tewfik 13/02/1942 and returned to Australia via Cochin. Disembarked S.A. 05/04/1942 in custody. [Read "Stowaway Anecdote" HERE] Sent to NCO School Bathurst. Promoted Sgt. 1943 surrendered stripes to join 1 Commando trg. Sqn. Canungra 21/01/44. Primed the Japanese H.E.A.T. grenade that killed 2 and wounded 55 including himself at Wondecla  11 Sep.1944 . Embarked Townsville 14/10/1944 Troop Ship Katoomba for Aitape N.G.Survived the failed Assault on Kualigem, Siege of Milak; First to land Dove Bay as forward scout 1 section A Troop 11/05/1945 . Ambushed Boiken Creek 30/06/1945. Embarked Lae for Brisbane on WANGANELLA 28/01/1946 Discharged Cpl. "A" Troop. 10 Sqn. Reverted to his correct name for discharge by Stat.Dec.26/04/46 and disappeared into civilian life. Married Susan Matilda Jordan 20/11/1948. 3 Children, Tina in Carrum  Nick in Bendigo and John in Colac. Almost settled down until Snowy Johnston found him selling bulldozers in outback Victoria in1964 and enticed him back in to the fold.

Executive Committee.
President 2/6 Cavalry Commando Regiment and 2nd. Cavalry Regiment Association(Vic.) Inc.2008-9-10-11
Treasurer2012 Hon. Life Member2012
Assistant Secretary Commando Association(Vic).2006-7-8
Treasurer Commando Association(Vic).2008-9-10

SERVICE RECORD COPIED FROM WWii NOMINAL ROLL
Name CORBETT, JOHN MATTHEW (LUKES, EDWIN HOWARD) 
Service: Australian Army 
Service Number: TX5600 
Date of Birth: 28 Apr 1923
Place of Birth :ARMADALE, VIC 
Date of Enlistment: 15 Jul 1941 
Locality on Enlistment: PASCOE VALE, VIC 
Place of Enlistment: BURNIE, TAS 
Next of Kin: ADAMS, JOAN 
Date of Discharge: 26 Apr 1946
Rank: Corporal 
Posting at Discharge: 2/10 AUST COMMANDO SQDN 

Sergeant Lukes 1943 (Ex Stowaway)