A postgraduate project has transformed Townsville's little-known Scorpion Raid from a wartime history lesson into a living commemoration supporting veteran wellbeing.

As part of his Master of Project Management at the Australian Defence Force Academy and University of New South Wales, Corporal Martin from 383 Squadron A7 Training Cell was challenged to manage a complex project from conception to completion.

“Going to a local high school, I learned about Townsville’s contribution to the outcome of World War II – the Scorpion Raid in particular,” Corporal Martin said.

“My degree project was an opportunity to lift it from the pages of history books and bring it back to life.”

At 11pm on June 22, 1943, 10 Australian soldiers from Z Special Unit covertly paddled five Klepper canoes from Magnetic Island to Townsville, silently attaching dummy limpet mines to friendly ships.

This successful test mission, known as Scorpion Raid, helped prove techniques later used during Operation Jaywick, when operatives used disguised fishing vessel the MV Krait to move undetected around Singapore Harbour and destroy seven Japanese ships.

Corporal Martin’s challenging three-day maritime re-enactment of Scorpion Raid enabled five participants - including former members of the modern commando community and Danielle Sisson, great-niece of original raider and then Lieutenant R. C. Page - to retrace the original steps and paddle strokes. Catering support was provided by the North Queensland Sappers Association and Reeling Veterans ensured safety on the water.

While Scorpion Raid is a significant event in Townsville’s World War II history, it is relatively unknown. To rectify this, Corporal Martin arranged the installation of public signage along the route at Black River railway bridge, Beach Holm Memorial, Picnic Bay, Magnetic Island, and Victoria Bridge on Ross Creek.

The signs can now be viewed year-round by residents and visitors via QR codes linking to historical information explaining how each location played a part in Scorpion Raid and the subsequent operations of Jaywick and Rimau.

Corporal Martin believes the project provides Townsville with a sustainable way to honour its World War II veterans and is working with the local RSL on the possibility of it becoming an annual event.

Having been a participant, Ms Sisson also hopes the re-enactment will become a regular activity.

“There could be a whole lot of good come out of this being a repeat experience for veterans, not just for the physical challenge, but also to get people to remember they are in good company and not alone,” Ms Sisson said.

Corporal Martin hopes his project will encourage other enlisted members to take up some of the many courses offered through the ADF.

“I hope it inspires more people to pursue education opportunities within the ADF because a learning mindset can open doors they may never have imagined,” he said.