Guestbook

Hello - thank you for a terrific website. Are there any links to list of names of those Australians who were part of F Force out of Changi POW work groups. Sometimes I see nominal roll mentioned but not sure where the details may be found - particularly those who survived the term of working on the railway and were returned to Changi prison camp. Many thanks.

Hi Francesca. AC1 Bertram Richards. 250 MRU (Mobile Radio Unit) and 307 AMES (Air Ministry Experimental Station). Both these squadrons were carrying out the implementation of the new Radar.
I believe these were located in Changi area around Tanah Besar. (No written proof, but based on others diaries) all RAF we instructed to escape and regroup to Java. Several of his squadron write of escaping on SS Kuala which was then sunk, in Bangka Straits. Bert ended up in Sumatra and his Index Card states Badang City as his place of capture. Eventually approximately 1,000 British Pow"s were assembled and thereafter became known as the British or Sumatra Battalion. (Berts name appears in the battalion list) (Although I have seen proof he was in the British Battalion, all further details is taken from the battalion documents). They were shipped to Mergui in Burma in the hellship England Maru. (25/05/1942), where they worked on an aerodrome. In August 1942 they sailed for Tavoy, Burma where again they worked on an aerodrome. In October 1942 they moved on again to Moulmein and then Thanbyuzayat ready to work on the railroad. Next stop was Hlepauk Camp or 18 kilo camp. ... January 1943 it was Tahyin, the 35 Kilo Camp, and March it was Thetkaw, the 14 Kilo Camp. In April it was Kun Knit Kway, the 25 Kilo Camp, and then Ansakwin, the 45 Kilo Camp. Next came Taungzan, the 60 Kilo Camp, followed by Chaungena, (by now he is in Siam) the 114 Kilo Camp, and Apalon, the 84 Kilo Camp. The battalion was getting split up by now with sick being sent away and workers in smaller parties being separated. Many were sent down the line to the large camp at Kanchanaburi. Whilst he was enslaved at the Burma end he was known to be in Group 3, and later in Siam he came under Group 2, This detail is seen on his index card. From Berts index card it is known that he is recorded as being liberated on 30th August 1945 via Bangkok and then Rangoon.

Hi, I"m trying to find information about my grandfather, Bert Richards (known as Mick) RAF AC 1214865.
Date of capture 17 March 1942
Date of liberation 2 September 1945
All I know of his POW camp is "Thailand", I believe he worked on the Burma-Thailand Railway but he never spoke of his experience.

I"d like to visit the railway but would dearly like any other information.
Thank you
Francesca

Hi Michael.
Information rather limited, hope someone else can help further. James Doe. AC2, Service number 1296952. Initially at RAF Seletar , Singapore, with 242 Squadron. Late January on advancement of Japanese went to Palembang, Sumatra, before eventually fleeing to Java. Became a prisoner of war on 08/03/1942 at the capitulation of Java. Shipped to Singapore on 14/09/42 on the Nishi Maru, then on 08/10/42 shipped to Kuching, Borneo on the Hiteru Maru. Apart from seeing him as dying from malaria, I have no further information on him.

I"m hoping to learn more about the story of my great Uncle James Henry Doe who was captured as a Japanese POW in 1942. I believe he was an aircraftman in the RAF.

He was born in Newbury in 1910 and served in India during the early 30s and may have married whilst out there. He re enlistedsometime in 1941 before being deployed to the Pacific where he was captured as a POW and went on the Sandakan death march.

Looking for information regarding my great uncle Vernon Whitfield VX30022. Hoping to find some information regarding No 3 branch Nieke or Nike Thailand. Any info would be appreciated. Regards Nicole

Looking for anyone with any information on my father"s
time as a POW and member of A Force. He was an 8th Division Signaller. Name as Vincent Harold COOTE, DOB, 16 October 1918 born in Glebe NSW. Enlisted in July 1940, Service no NX53814. Started at Tavoy and was at Petchaburi at war"s end. Was great mates with Leo Osborne Ryan on the railway

My grandad was stationed at the Cocos Islands with 99 squadron in 1945. He told his wife of the trauma of flying living skeletons as part of rescuing PoWs.
I have been trying to match the entries in his logbook… and wondered if anyone could help… 
On the 18th November 1945, his logbook shows he flew C54-D Skymaster KL978 with passengers from Ratmalana to Cocos and I wondered if anyone knew of any corroborating information that shows that this was one of the RAPWI repatriation flights? 
At the time KL978 was with 232 squadron, and 99 squadron was in the process of being disbanded. 

His previous log entries confirm dropping leaflets and supplies… but I would love to know whether this Skymaster flight was the one with PoWs.
His name F/O Edward P Storer #152590

Have drawn lots of blanks so far… would love some help, or photos, advice. 
Many thanks

Simon. Sent to your email.

Does anyone have information on how i can trace my great uncle Arthur jaggard 929588 pow japanese index card ??

Thomas Taylor
Lance Bombardier
11th battery, 2nd a.a regt. HKS RA
1604457




D.O.B 8.05.1915 - London




All the information I have about my Grandad are from letters he sent home.
We know he trained in Aberdeen where he mentions he was under the Scottish Command.
They sailed out to Singapore via Cape Town




There are letters written from Malaya in Nov and Sep 1941 and then confirmation that he was a Japanese prisoner of war 
In Thailand.




In 1942, 1st, Nov, a Lieutenant Seargant Marlow from the 360th H.A.A battery RA Aberdeen (who I presume was part of training)
wrote his parents a letter
Saying they hadn’t heard word about him but not to give up hope.




Then there are letters on his journey home.
Aboard S.S Bossewain (a former Dutch ship) and he confirms he’s in Port Said 3/10/45




For some reason we thought Grandad was in the wires or had trained in the signals. But I’m looking for more of an understanding of what he trained in, and what he did in Singapore and as a POW.

Vicky, I have seen the details other postings around the internet of the determined research you have carried out, Well done. The only thing I have seen but not aware you have posted, is a mention in the regiment file created in Changi. This mentions Major Coode, who you suspect could be connected, "May have been on the SS Rooseboom"

Ive been able to put together some details but still trying to identify final escape route from Singapore on 15.02.1942. My gradnfather is Major Frank Henry Land of the Establishment for Engineering Services. His service number is 111262. he went missing and although there were rumours that he got to Padang and left on a ship to Ceylon which was torpedoed, I have not found any refernece to how he got to Sumatra, or which boat he left in from Padang. He is commemorated at Kranji memorial. His last known days are a complete mystery. Kranji

Stuart, I cant see any trace of a J Gilpin ever being a POW. Only reference I can see from Far East is a J. Gilin who was a L/Cpl of the Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry being awarded a M.I.D. on 28.10.42 in the London Gazette, and he also had the Burma Star.

I am after information on John Gilpin I am sure he was
a Sgt Major in Burma, in WW2 not sure if he was in the
Australian Army Or British Army in WW2, he moved
from Scotland to Australia I think in the 1960s.

Mike
Many many thank for the information you have provider regarding my Great uncle Arthur jaggard . Is this info in the public domain ? .
My grand mother would be gratefull of your work, she never got over the lost of her brothers in ww2. Arthur under the japanese and her other brother Albert jaggard killed at the western desert campaign in 42 . Arthur was especially painfull has he was buried at sea . My naň hated the japanese until she died at 100 years old .

Simon. The Maru your Great Uncle was on has many spellings. Most common is Taian, or Taiyan, but also Taiwan and Tailoan, and even Daian when you use translation services.

Having escaped Singapore and regathered with RAF crews on Java, he then became a POW on 08/03/1942. Taken to Liang Camp on Ambon where he was involved in airfield construction under very harsh conditions.

He died on a return sailing from Ambon to Surabaya. He is listed as dying from enteritis and inanity, which is exhaustion caused by starvation. He was buried at sea at location E121*36’ S 5*02’ which is west of Kabaena Island.

Hi
Im locking for any information relating to my great uncle Arthur john jaggard service no 929588 rafvr . He was a japanese p.o.w and died on a hell ship taiwan maru in August 1944

Hi Ruth. re your father - Major JP de J Harvard. 125th Anti-Tank Regiment, R A . Army Number 92761. Difficult to find information on him as I believe he remained in Singapore throughout his imprisonment. Lack of movements gives lack of paperwork trail.
He embarked from Avonmouth on 28-10-1941 onto the SS Oronsay, sailed to the Clyde to join a convoy that sailed to Halifax, Nova Scotia. Changed ship to USS Joseph T. Dickman, which had previously been named SS President Roosevelt. Sailed south to Trinidad and then east to Cape Town. After 4 days re sailed to Bombay, arriving December 27th, where they entrained to Ahmednagar for training.
January 23rd 1942 boarded Empress of Asia and sailed for Singapore. February 5th attacked by 27 Japanese bombers whilst about 6 miles from port. Abandoned ship, and all safely rescued, but equipment lost. Upon disembarking at Singapore they became an infantry regiment for just 10 days before the capitulation. The only statement I can see about your father is "Major Harvard with mostly sick cases remained in Changi, working in camp gardens, and aerodrome construction". Its possible (no proof) that he moved to Krangi Hospital Camp towards the end, but he is listed on the Changi Roll at liberation on 05.09.1945.

Hi Barry. re Private Frank Gasgarth. 18th Reconnaissance Regiment (18 Recce), service number 3858034. Originally 5th Battalion - Loyal Regiment, the whole regiment became a Recce Regiment. The regiment arrived very late as reinforcements to Singapore on February 5th 1942, and with disastrous results. They arrived on the Empress of Asia and were bombed a few miles out from Singapore, with orders to abandon ship. Most made it safely to shore but all equipment was lost.
Just 10 days later was the capitulation of Singapore on 15.02.1942. Originally held captive at Changi, then sent as one of the first to the Siam railroad of Death. Ban Pong, June 42. Chunkai Nov 42. Kanchanaburi Jan 43. Returned to Singapore and then embarked on the Haruyasa Maru on 04.02.45 to Saigon in French Indo China (Vietnam) (POW Camp 10), Feb 45 until liberated on 12.09.1945. 55 men of the regiment were killed in action up to capitulation, but 264 died as POWs due to brutality, neglect, disease and slavery, Just to correct family stories, John was never in Burma.

Hi Chris. re Pte. John Denholm Elliott. RASC - 18 Division - Service Number T/279103. Sent to the Burma Railroad of Death on 24.04.1943 in "F Party", 400 men of 18 Division. F Party suffered more deaths than any other shipment of POWs, with many already in critical condition before they were sent. John is recorded as "30.06.43 onset of illness". Died of malaria on 21.08.43".
Place of death, Tambaya Camp Hospital Group 4, Burma. Cremated and burial. Now reburied in Thanbyuzayat War Cemetery, grave B1.A.6

Richard Salter. There does not appear to be a John Friar listed on any documents as a POW of the Japanese. He is not listed on the Master List and not listed as freed from Rangoon.

Kim Gordon. I can see 6 Stanley Harris who were awarded the Burma Star. I can see 6 Stanley Harris listed as POWs. But, I cannot see any that have the Burma Star and was also a POW. A second christian name is needed and also more detail if possible. More facts give more chance.

Hi. I am trying to find information about my wife"s great uncle Leonard Haynes dob 31/08/07 service number 7583762 who served with the No 14 Section RAOC Southern Area, captured at Singapore on 15/02/42. He worked on the Burma railway, survived but took 2 years to recover before being well enough to travel back to UK. Died 21/10/1989

Hi
My name is David Morrison and im looking for any information on my late father in law , Kenneth John Maclean , from 1 Breanish in Uig on the Isle of Lewis , Scotland .
Kenneth John served in the Merchant Navy , on HMS Stronghold. The Ship , HMS Strobghold , was sunk in the Java sea on 2nd March 1942 at 1858 hrs . All the survivors including Kennwth john were transferred to the Japanese cruiser Maya and taken i believe to the Celebes as POWs. I think possibly to Macassar , but this is what im not sure off. He was held prisoner 7ntil liberation day. We know vwry little else and what ww do know ww found on historic sites . Kenneth John never really spoke about it . He passed away age 61. I actually never had the pleasure of meeting him, but id really like to find out more about his pow journey