Participation in the British Commonwealth Occupation Forces (BCOF) in the occupaiton of Japan was announced on 31st of January 1946, although planning of the allied force had been discussed since the end of the war. The majority of Australian troops arrived in Japan on the 21st of February. The BCOF force included troops from Britain, India, New Zealand and Australian; totalling a force of 45,000 men. Around 16,000 Australians served in the BCOF, including men and women from the infantry, air force and Australian General Hospital. Also the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) had a large presence in teh occupied region as a section of the British Pacific Fleet. For most of the occupation the BCOF was represented by Australians and through the Forces existence it was always helmed by an Australian officer.
Australian War Memorial, ‘British Commonwealth Occupation Force 1945–52’, https://www.awm.gov.au/articles/atwar/bcof , accessed 3 September 2018.
The memorial inscription reads:
BRITISH COMMONWEALTH OCCUPATION FORCES
AUSTRALIAN CONTINGENT[Insignia of RAF] [Insignia of AIF] [Insignia of BCOF] [Insignia of RAAF] [ Insignia of Merchant Navy]
IN MEMORY OF THOSE WHO SERVED
IN THE OCCUPATION OF JAPAN
1945-1952WE SERVED BY EXAMPLE
TO DEMONSTRATE THE
MEANING OF DEMOCRACY[Lower plaque]
UNVEILED BY
COLONEL DONALD BEARD
AM. RFD. ED. EX B.C.O.F. AND B.C.F.K.DEDICATED BY
REV. PETER RANDLE
20. 7. 1997
