Val Webster detailed the contribution of her family in World War II
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THIS photo is of Private Sydney Roy Campton, his wife Alice, eldest son Trooper Sydney George Campton and his next son Trooper Leonard John Campton.
The photo was taken when the three men were lucky enough to be on leave together.
The time is about 1943-1944.
The father Sydney Roy had enlisted in World War I and re-enlisted at the outbreak of World War II. He served overseas in the Middle East and Syria, being away from home for over two years.
In the meantime both the boys enlisted in the AIF.
Sydney George after basic training was sent to Western Australia to be trained in tank warfare, however when the Japanese took Malaya and Singapore the whole unit was diverted to the east coast of Australia.
He then transferred to small ships which delivered much needed supplies to troops in New Guinea where they suffered many attacks by Japanese aircraft.
He was lucky enough to survive, and reached the rank of Sergeant and was discharged to resume civilian life.
The youngest son Leonard John joined the AIF as soon as he was 18 and went straight to the infantry but being an exceptional soldier volunteered to join the Commandos.
His unit became the 2/6 Independent Company which Tokyo Rose named the "Purple Devils" due to their consistent and furious attacks on Japanese troops and installations in New Guinea
After a period of retraining at Careening Commando training school and a small bit of leave his unit was again engaged in the invasion of Balikpapan in Borneo, being in action only a short time he was killed in action July 13, 1945 two weeks after he was 21.
His mother always wore the watch she had sent him for his 21st birthday on the June 24, 1945 which he never received until the day she passed away.
