NUMBER:

VX135930

BATTALION / UNIT / SHIP:

2/2 Battalion Commando Squadron

PLACE & DATE OF BIRTH:

Geelong 17 June 1921

NEXT OF KIN:

S Moloney

PLACE & DATE OF ENLISTMENT:

9 March 1943 Canungra Qld

LOCATION ON ENLISTMENT:

Leongatha

PLACE & DATE OF DEATH:

10 January 1944 aged 22 Papua New Guinea

LOCATION OF GRAVE/MEMORIAL:

He is buried in the Lae War Cemetery and on the memorials at Leongatha and Meeniyan.

RELATIONSHIP TO WOORAYL SHIRE:

The electoral roll shows Laurie's family in Meeniyan by 1924. 

MILITARY/OTHER HISTORY:

They later lived at 9 Young Street Leongatha. Laurie's siblings were Matthew, Alameda, Alicia, Ellen and Frederick. VX25298 Frederick Moloney was a sapper with the 2/13th Field Company. Alicia married Owen Hughes who served in the 2/22nd Battalion and was a survivor of the fall of Rabaul.

Following the 2/2 Battalion Commandos evacuation from Timor this independent company reformed at the army's training centre at Canungra, Queensland, where it was reinforced and re-equipped. The company then moved to the Atherton Tableland, where it briefly became part of the 2/6th Cavalry (Commando) Regiment. In October, the 2/2nd Independent Company was renamed the 2/2nd Cavalry (Commando) Squadron, later simplified to just commando squadron. When this happened though, the 2/2nd was back in action.

In June 1943 the 2/2nd sailed from Townsville for Port Moresby and was subsequently flown to Bena Bena in the Bismark Range in New Guinea's highlands. Here they supported the 2/7th Independent Company in patrolling the Ramu River area. In the second week of July the 2/2nd moved into position, with its headquarters at Bena Bena and with its platoons' occupying neighbouring positions. By the end of the month their patrols were encountering the Japanese in skirmishes. The 2/2nd remained in New Guinea until October 1944. Laurie Moloney was killed in action with the commandoes in January 1944.

The following memorial was placed in The Age and Argus 17 October 1944

MOLONEY. L./Cpl. Laurie. VX135930,

Commando Squadron, previously reported missing, now reported killed in action New Guinea, beloved youngest son of Alameda and the late Matthew Moloney, Leongatha, loving brother of Matt (Queensland), Alameda (Mr. F. Dempsey, Stony Creek), Alicia (Mrs. O.Hughes, Leongatha), Nell (Mrs. Courtney, Essendon). Fred (9th Div., Middle East and New Guinea), aged 22 years. Forever we'll remember.

The Age 13 February 1946

MOLONEY - In sad but proud memory of our dear pal, VX135930. L/Cpl. Laurie Moloney (2/2nd Commandos), missing, believed killed Ramu Valley, New Guinea. January 1944.-Inserted by Keith and Leith