Brian Winchcombe was working as a livery hand before World War II.
Brian enlisted in Perth, Western Australia, on 6 June 1944, when he was 18 years old. He served as a private with the 2/2nd Pioneer Battalion at Tarakan and Balikpapan.
Brian remembered the distinct difference between the 2 operations in regard to supplies. At Tarakan, everything had to be brought up by hand but at Balikpapan, most supplies had been pre-packed in trucks and were instantly available once on shore.
Brian also recalled the physical effect of the bombardments from the United States ships, and described feeling the 'concussion' in his chest.
When news of the war's end was received, Brian remembered the Japanese still had to be 'winkled' out because they were quite dispersed and had to be convinced the war was over. He remembered seeing Japanese prisoners being held in the compounds and described them as a 'pretty sorry lot' who were 'pretty disgruntled' and 'switched off'. He thought the ignominy of surrender was a great disgrace to them.
Brian was discharged from the Army on 6 December 1946.