Date Captured:
Date Repatriated:
Awards/Honours: Pacific Star, 1939-45 War Medal, Australian Service Medal, Returned from Active Service Badge (RASB)
Veteran Story: Ambrose Abdullah served in the First World War under Official No: 5026. In his WWI records there is a Statutory Declaration regarding his missing Discharge Papers and badge. Within this document he also notes that he has discovered that his surname of Abdullah is his step fathers and he wishes his Discharge papers changed to read his legitimate name of Sheppard. Following his discharge in 1920 he moved to Brisbane Queensland and in 1924 he married Jessie Withers. In 1928 they moved to Eidsvold Qld, Wondai at Wide Bay Qld ion 1930, 1937 Moreton Qld, 1943 at Enoggera Qld, 1949 Landsborough, 1958 Gympie Qld where he remained until his death on 9 July 1992 in Queensland. Jessie and Ambrose had two children Ambrose James (1926-1926) and Doreen Jessie (-1930). He enlisted in the 2nd AIF on 9 October 1940 at Gayndah Qld and was assigned to the 1 Gunner Battalion. In August 1941, while at Gaythorne Qld he transferred to the N C Provost Company and joined the Heavy Artillery Section. As a Corporal on 10 January 1942 he embarked on HMAT for the 8th Military district which covered the areas of New Guinea, Solomon Islands and New Hebrides. While serving in New Guinea he suffered from Fibrosis of the back and Trachoma spending time in 112 Australian General Hospital. On 31 July 1942 he boarded “Van Der Lyn’ sailing for Queensland arriving 3 September 1942. He was discharged Medically unfit for active service on 25 October 1942 from the 16th Field Hygiene Section. In his records he makes application for his medals, the 1939-45 Star and Pacific Star. A Mystery remains about his marriage in England to Sarah Robb under the name Abdullah – Did he divorce her? Did she die? No records have been found.
