Emerson Rodwell - Military Career

Military Career

Emerson Rodwell enlisted in the Australian Army in 1940, after turning old enough to do so. He was attached to the 2/24th Battalion of the 26th Brigade, and infantry brigade of the 9th Division. Although the 9th Division had initially served in North Africa, including at the Siege of Tobruk, Rodwell never served in Europe or North Africa. Rodwell's service throughout the war was in the South West Pacific theatre of World War II. He initially fought in New Guinea until 1943, and then in 1945 his Battalion went on to Borneo where they played a vital part in the allied victory. During the Battle of Tarakan Rodwell was recommended for the Military Medal for his bravery in attacking enemy positions. The award was made for his actions during the attack on the "Wills feature". He was a Bren gunner with 1 section, 16 platoon, D Company 2/24th when his section commander was killed. Despite the fact it was his first time in action, Rodwell took command of the remaining members of the section, then placed himself in full view of the main loophole of a Japanese-held concrete pillbox, and fired his Bren gun at the loophole to give another member of his platoon chance to knock-out the pillbox with a flamethrower. The award was gazetted on 3 July 1945.

He was discharged from the Army in November 1946, having obtained the rank of Warrant Officer Class 2.