Background
Leo Francis Ayers was born on 7 March 1919 in East Malvern, Victoria (Australia).
Before going to war, he lived/was recorded at enlistment in the North Wonthaggi area, Victoria.
Enlistment and unit
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11 June 1940: Ayers enlisted in the Australian Army, service number VX25004, rank Private (equivalent rank depending on translation convention).
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He served with the 2/21st Infantry Battalion (2nd AIF), a unit linked to the Ambon campaign.
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His records also list an alternate name: MANNING, Leo Francis (“Other Name / Also known as”).
Captured as a POW on Ambon
The Australian War Memorial (AWM) “POWs and Missing Persons” records clearly note: VX25004 L F Ayers, unit 2/21, location Ambon, status Prisoner of War, and detention camp location on Ambon (Netherlands East Indies).
(Your description mentions he was captured and held for 3.5 years; the “3.5 years” figure is commonly repeated in social-media posts, while the key fact—POW on Ambon—is directly supported by AWM/DVA records.)
Liberation and the photo on his return
After being recovered from Ambon, Ayers was taken to the 2/5th Australian General Hospital (Morotai). An AWM archival photo caption explains that the image was taken to show the physical condition of Australian POWs newly liberated.
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13 September 1945: The Anzac Portal (DVA) caption states that Ayers was “one of the POWs recovered from Ambon,” photographed at the field hospital mentioned above.
Discharge
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21 December 1945: Ayers was discharged; his posting at discharge still lists the 2/21 Infantry Battalion.
Key timeline
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07/03/1919: Born in East Malvern, Victoria
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11/06/1940: Enlisted, service no. VX25004
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1942–1945 (wartime): Held as a POW on Ambon
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13/09/1945: Recovered/liberated; treated at 2/5th AGH (Morotai) and photographed for records
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21/12/1945: Discharged