Commemorating the service of the Australian contingent of the British Commonwealth Occupation Force
Close to 16,000 Australians served in the British Commonwealth Occupation Force (BCOF), including infantry, air force and 130 Australian General Hospital personnel. The Royal Australian Navy also had a presence in the region as part of the British Pacific Fleet.
Their primary objective was to enforce the terms of the unconditional surrender that had ended the Second World War. BCOF was required to maintain military control and supervise the demilitarisation and disposal of the remnants of Japan's war-making capacity. By the end of 1946 the task of demilitarising Japan required less effort and the role of the occupying forces changed. Guard duties and training becoming the main focus. The RAN component of BCOF, with assistance from the RAAF, was responsible for patrolling the Inland Sea, to prevent smuggling and illegal immigration.
At the peak of its involvement the Australian component of BCOF was responsible for over twenty million Japanese citizens and 57,000 square kilometres of country. By the end of 1948, BCOF was composed entirely of Australians. The force was dismantled on 28 April 1952 when the Japanese Peace Treaty came into effect.
Members of the BCOF Veterans Association of NSW visited the Anzac Memorial on 22 October 2020 for a special event.
The Association generously supported the Anzac Memorial's 1945: From Hot War to Cold War exhibiton. The Trustees are incredibly grateful.
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My Uncle J R Sewell was there as part of the 10 Bomb Disposal Unit and was awarded the George Medal.
My Dad served with BCOF in Japan from early 1946 through until October 1947 and he was only 18 years of age when he signed up. Known as The Forgotten Force, it is videos like these that are so crucial in telling their story but so much more needs to be done at places like the Australian War Memorial etc.
@3.02 Second from the right full image of guy (No glasses) is my dad John Gibbons NX500043. He was 15 when he joined up.