SO secretive was veteran Don Field's job in war that he has rarely, if ever, spoken of it.

Yet the specialist signalman was part of an elite group credited with being a step ahead of the Japanese as they crept towards Australia and later hailed for helping end World War II years earlier than it otherwise would have.

"We were warned on selection to the squad that there would never be recognition of our unit - no medals, no reunions, no mention of us," Mr Field, 86, said.

Until recently, little was known of the men often dropped in behind enemy lines to intercept Japanese wireless transmission across Asia, which they sent on for decoding to British intelligence headquarters at Bletchley Park.

"We were first trained in Morse code in English and then retrained as specialists in Kana, or Japanese.

"Armed with just a pencil, we'd record every single signal we intercepted and on-send for decoding."

The group was known as the "Forgotten Army".

Then last week, out of the blue, Mr Field and about 150 other Australian signallers finally received a bulky package from London - 64 years after they served their country.

Inside was a gold medallion and British Government citation - welcome recognition at long last of the vital role played by the Australian Special Wireless Group.

Still working as an accountant and farmer, Mr Field said he would have a new spring in his step when he joins the Anzac Day march on Sunday.

"Finally, I will get to wear a medal with pride for the first time," he said.

Mr Field and his identical twin Peter both enlisted at 17.

Carrying the legacy of childhood illness, it was obvious Peter, who died at 80, would not be accepted, so his younger twin stood in for him on the medical. No one noticed.

Originally published as Recognition at last