Interviews in their own voices

Alf Worth — 2/4 Machine Gun Battalion

Arrived Singapore Jan 42 — POW Feb 42 — To Burma Thai Railway with “D” Force 1943 — To Japan.

Arthur and Roma Lawlor

Arthur and Roma Lawlor. Arthur was a member of the 2/3 Motor Ambulance Convoy – Transport casualties from the border with Siam from 8 Dec 41. Later went to Siam as part of the Medical team sent to keep the Coolies (250,000 of them) alive. In Siam at the end of the War.

Arthur Bancroft. HMAS Able Seaman.

Ship sunk in Sunda Straits – Recovered to Java – To Burma end of the railway with “Williams” Force – When Railway joined to Thailand - Tamarkan Camp - To Japan via Saigon – Saigon blockaded –To Singapore - Then to Rakuyo Maru for movement to Japan - Rakuyo Maru sunk by American Submarine – Rescued after 6 days in water or afloat by US Submarine - Returned to Australia 1944 –Married Merla March 45 – Discharged from Navy July 45.

Arthur Gamble WX9132

Born 25 Oct 1918 - One year at Wesley - Worked on family farm- To Singapore on Aquitania Jan 42 - POW 15 Feb 42 - With Capt Cameron - To Siam H Force May 43 - Saw Padre Harry Thorpe - Survived Cholera - Medical evacuation by barge - With Cliff Howe WX15099 at one stage - returned to Singapore - worked on airdrome - Discharged Dec 45 - Married Eileen 1947

Bert Wall

Bert Wall. 2/4 Machine Gun Battalion. Worked on the Burma Thailand Railway. With Green Force to Burma end of the line. Initially to Victoria Point. To Japan on Rakuyo Maru September 44. Vessell sunk by American Sub. Bert, along with others including Captain (MO) Rowley Richards, picked up by Japs and taken to Sakata in Japan.

Bill Fitch NX8352 - 2/3 Motor Ambulance Convoy.

Medical Orderly F.W. (Bill) Fitch was deployed into Malaya prior to the Japanese entry into World War II he subsequently served in K-Force on the Burma-Thailand Railway. Evacuation of sick & wounded Malaya and Singapore - When POW worked in Roberts Barracks Allied Hospital - To Thailand as part of 'K' Force to keep the coolies alive - Kept in Thailand to the end of the war.

Bill Monks - 2/3 Machine Gun Bn - WX 2624

From Middle East - Captured Java - To Thailand with Dunlop Force - Sick and moved to Chunhkai _ rembered Syd Howard coming to camp and amputation - In Japan Party on Byoki Maru - Maoji to Ohama - Coalmining - Dutch doctor in camp

Bill Schmitt SX9929 and John Lamprill TX2584 both 2/3 Machine Gun Battalion.

2/3 Machine Gun Battalion Middle East, Captured Java both to Singapore — Bill because of his health never went beyond Singapore. John went to Thailand with Dunlop Force and then to Japan.

C.R. (Bob) Lush 2/4 Machine Gun Battalion.

Born Perth 1922 Enlisted 1940. Arrived Singapore January 1942 — Prisoner Feb 1942 - Variety of Camps Singapore Selerang, Adam Park, Kranji, Woodland Camps — Saw Japs kill one oftheir own — Saw Japs bash Captain Tony Odlum - On Singapore Island for POW period.

Captain (doctor) Peter Hendry

Prisoner of War Experiences. Captain (doctor) Peter Hendry speaks about the April 1943 march by 7,000 POWs as part of F-Force from Banpong (after 5 day train journey Singapore to Thailand crammed into steel rice trucks) to the Thailand Burma border. This was in over 40 degree centigrade heat, on jungle tracks of mud over 18 nights. This force had a very high death rate- over 60% British and 29% Australians. Captain (doctor) Peter Hendry speaks about some of the people forming F-Force on the Burma Thailand…

Captain Claude Anderson WX3464 - RMO 2/4 Machine Gun Battalion.

Arrived Singapore 24 Jan 1941. Surrender to the Japanese. May 42 as member of 'A' Force, sent to Burma via Victoria Point. Assisted Albert Coates with 60 amputations. At Nakhon Nyok on surrender 1945.

Captain Les Poidevin

Captain Les Poidevin - Medical Officer - Captured Timor moved to Java - Did 148 Major Operations.

Charles Edwards — 2/19 Battalion

Captured Malaya — Pudu Gaol (KL) — Singapore — Burma Thailand Railway D Force — with Major Reg Newton ’to Japan — Authority on POWs post war.

Charles William (Bill) Gray Private- 2/4 Machine Gun Battalion WX10378

Capitulated Singapore. Unique experience- To Korea, via Formosa August 1942- In Keijo the Konan POW camps- Slaved in Carbide Foundry- Only a small number of 2/4 MG BN men with him.

Chilla Goodchap and Charlie W Ray

Survivors HMAS Perth — Recovered to Java — Both to Burma Railway - Contact with Dutch MO Hecking — Goodchap to Moji Japan on AWA Maru and with MO John Higgins — Wray became ill and in Nakhon Paton Hospital then eventually at Kachu Mountain Camp working on airfield. — return to Australia via Rangoon.

Chris Schurmann 8th Division Signals

Captured Singapore - “A” Force to Burma May 42 – At Tavoy ordered by Japs to dig graves for Aussie POWs executed - In party with Capt (Dr) Rowley Richards and British Officer Bill Drower – Met up with cousin Jack Schurmann (Sherman) (see his separate video story) – To Thailand when line finished - Sent back up the line to cut wood for steam trains around 203km point - with Capt (MO) Tim Godlee – When war over stayed in Bangkok and worked for RAPWI (Recovered Allied Prisoners of War and Internees).

David Barrett Medical Orderly 2/9 Field Ambulance.

Born 1920 Enlisted 1940.- Surrendered to Jap 1942. - Selerang Barracks and Roberts Barracks Hospital — To Thailand 1943 as member of L Force — In Kanchanaburi Area — Dug graves — At Phetchaburi Camp when War ended — After the War he was a member of the War Graves Commission team of 18 which went back up the railway looking for Cemeteries and Graves.

David Manning

David Manning. HMAS Perth. Served in the Mediterranean 1941. HMAS Perth sunk in Sunda Straits end February 1942. Captured by Japs. Incarcerated Java then to the Burma Thailand Railway. Missed Japan Party. In Chumpong (southern Siam) at the end of the War.

David Peter (Digby) Gray

David Peter ( Digby) Gray HMAS Perth. Enlisted when 18. To Burma Oct 42. Chosen for Japan Party at Tamuang to go through Saigon. Blockaded. Then to Singapore. In River Valley Road and Blakan Matti Island and Changi Gaol.

Don Dowie RAAF Pilot Officer

May have been the first Australian POW of the Japanese 8 Dec 42 - Shot down -Later with H Force in Thailand - Returned to Singapore - Graduated as a Doctor post war.

Donald H Kennedy (Sapper) - 2/6 Field Park Coy (Engineers)

Born Leonora 1918 - to Singapore 1941 Zealandia - On Malaya mainland - POPW - To Thailand with F-Force - March North 14 15 days 187 miles - Worked as part of a survey team - Found old survey pages - Beriberi - in hospital Kanburi - MOs Fagan, Mills, Hunt - Return to Singapore 1944 - River Valley Rd Camp - worked on airfield - Return to Sydney on ARAWA then train to Perth. In Malaya at Fort Dickson and Mersing - Wounded 12 Feb 42 - Treated in Roberts Barracks hospital by Maj (Dr) Kevin Fagan - Incapacitated -…

Fred Ransome Smith

Fred Ransome Smith (Lt Fred Smith) 5 Suffolks. Artist before the War - Arrived Singapore Feb 1942 - IN vicinity of road block that the surrender party moved forward from on 15 Feb 42. To the Burma Thailand Railway Oct 42. AT Chungkai, Kanchanaburi, Non Pladuc and Nakhon Pathom.

Fred Skeels

HMAS Perth – Sunk in Sunda Straits – IN POW Camps Java – To Burma Oct 42 – in POW Camps Burma then to Thailand and Saigon and Singapore – “AWA Maru” to Japan – in Camp 22 Fukuoka, Kyushsu at the end of War.

Gavin Campbell (Lieutenant RAN).

On HMAS Perth when sunk. Leg broken. In 1942 to the Burma end of the line. Colonel Coates remarked that his broken leg repair was a good as many in Austrlai. Met his brother on the Burma end of the line. In Nakhon Nayok when the war ended.

George Beecham

Medical Orderly 2/10 Field Ambulance — “F” Force part of Ponds Party - With Medical Officer Roy Mills.

George Wiseman

Member of Federated States Vol Force — To Thailand 42 — mainly in the area between Kinsayok and Kanchanaburi

Gordon Newton 2/10 Ordnance Field Park

Aquitania to Singapore - "D" Force to Thailand - Camps Onte, Brancassi, Bangan. - Medical Orderly Charlie Demilo- Back up the line after trains running - received Blood Transfusion from British Sgt Phillip Orme - -

Gordon Nickol Medical Orderly 2/3 Motor Ambulance Company

Part of 'Operation Matador' on Siam border - Last Ambulance across Causeway - To Siam as member F Force - Contact with Australian Medcal Officers Major Hunt,Captain Frank Cahill and Brit interpreter Maj Cyril Wild - To Tanbaya with many sick - Admirer of Chaplain Duckworth. Return to Singapore by train 1944.

H.S. (Mick) Kildey

H.S. (Mick) Kildey 2/10 Field Ambulance NX46015 - Medical Orderly on Malayan mainland and Singapore. Swiss Club, Manor House, St Andrews Cathedral - Changi - Roberts Bks Hospital-, With 'C' Force to Japan )Nagasaki) Nov 42 on Kamakura Maru then to Kobe. Dutch doctor Eichmann. Work in Kawasaki Shipyards for 2 and half years. To Camp 26 on Kyushu Island mining.

Jack Troedel

Jack Troedel. 2/4 Aust Army Field Whorkshop. To Burma Thailand Railway with “F” Force. Leg injury at Shimo Songkurai. Leg Amptated for British Surgeon Lt Col Huston. Returned to Singapore late 43 or early 44. Surviving 2008 in Ocean Grove in Victoria.

James Crinion

British Officer captured on Java - To Singapore - To Japan on the Totuku Maru via Formosa - Arrive Moji then to Hakodate - In the coal mines at Bibai - Contact with Aussie MO Bristow.

Jim Elliott WX8619 2/4 Machine Gun Battalion

Jim Elliott WX8619 2/4 Machine Gun Battalion – Arrived Singapore 24 Jan 1942. Manned the area of the major Japanese thrust. Tp Thailand as part of “D” Force. Then on the Byuoki Maru to Japan. Medical Officers commented on Capts Phil Millard and David Hinder.

John (8th Div Signals) and Vera Parkes (WAAAF)

In Malaya 1041. Captured in Singapore. To Thailand Apr 1943 as part of 'F' Force. In Pond’s Party with Captain Roy Mills the sole doctor for 712 POWs. Pond’s Party moved nearly a dozen times. Returned to Singapore 1944 and there until end of War. Worked on Singapore airfield. Met and married Vera after the war.

John Gilmour 2/4 Machine Gun Battalion

Born Scotland – Arrived Singapore January 1942 – POW February 1942 – Almost lost eyesight - To Japan as part of “J” Force – At Kobe house - Post War was a champion veteran athlete.

John Lane 2/4 Machine Gun Battalion

Born UK – To Australia in 1933 Fairbridge Farm as part of Dr Barnados Scheme – Musician - Joined Militia – put age up and enlist AIF – Arrive Singapore Jan 1942 - POW Feb 42 – To Japan “J” Force May 43 on “Weills Maru” – Kobe House – MO Capt Clive Boyce – Return to Australia 45 – Post War in Army as Bands man.

John Schurmann 2/4 Machine Gun Battalion

John Schurmann 2/4 Machine Gun Battalion - Wounded and Captured Singapore – with A force to the Burma end of the Burma Thai Railway (BTR). With the Recovery Team on the BTR Sep to Oct 1945. Also his wife Daphne.

Ken Gray

Ken Gray 2/12 Field Company RAE Captured on Singapore. To Thailand as a part of 'F' Force. Separated from Australians and in Songkurai Camp. Sick in hospital hut. Beside Gordon Highlander Jim Birse from Inverurie, Scotland . Returned to Singapore 44 and 45. Met Birse in Scotland 30 years after the war.

Kenneth Dumbrell Lieutenant 4 Anti Tank Regt

With “A” Force to Burma by ship – At Tavoy – Then marched to Ye – Major A Hobbs MO with party – Joined “Green Force” – Jap Naito – Train to Thailand when railway joined – Major Jacobs – To Kanburi Officer Camp until end of War.

Lt Harry Medlin 2/1 Fortress Coy RAE Timor

Present at surrender to Nips. His time as POW on Timor and Java. Comments on the Padres and Doctors on Timor. His move to Java. POW Camps on Java. Concert 10 Nov 42 -Goodnight Melody

Maurice Underwood

Enlisted from Queensland into 2/10 Field Regiment - Captured Singapore 42 - To the Burma Thailand Railway as part of D Force - Camps included - Hintok, Konyu, Tamuang, Nakhon Pathon and Chumphong. - Airlift from Kashu Mountain Camp (near Phetburi) to Singapore after War ended.

Medical Officer Capt Lloyd Cahill

Medical Officer Capt Lloyd Cahill 2/19 Bn and "F" Force on the Burma Thailand Railway (Songkurai area)

Milton (Snow) Fairclough 2/3 Machine Gun Battalion

Fought in Syria — Capture on Java - To Burma Thailand Railway — Medical Officers Arthur Moon, Ewen Corlette, Tim Godlee, Edward Dunlop — Last months of incarceration at Chumphon southern Thailand.

Norm Anderton 8 Div Sigs

to Thailand with “F” Force April 1943 – To Tanbaya hospital Camp in Burma – High death rate – Worked with Surgeon Capt Frank Cahill – Returned to Singapore 44.

Norman Dean (Lieutenant) QX 9450 2/26 Bn

POW 15 Feb 42 - To Thailand with "F"Force April 43 - In Songkurai area - Became Wardmaster to assist medical Staff - Close to Maj Bruce Hunt - To Burma 50 kilo camp with 1900 sick - Return to Singapore Jan 44

Norvyn W (Blue) Stevens.

2/3 Machine Gun Bn. In Middle East- Captured Java 42 - To Burma Thailand Railway with Dunlop Force Jan 43- Later to Japan - In Japan at the eand of the war.

Nurse Pat Darling (nee Gunther)

Nurse Pat Darling (nee Gunther) survived the Vyner Brook then became a POW for 42 months (Bangka and Sumatra)

Osman Blau (Lieutenant Engineer)

To Burma with 'A' Force May 42. To Siam when the construction of the rail line complete. Back to the Burma end in charge of a party working on bridging. At War’s end in charge of a POW camp.

Private Max Venables

Private Max Venables - 8 Division Ammunition Sub Park - Malaya, Captured Singapore - Thailand (F Force) - Burma (at Tanbaya Hospital Camp).

Pte Tom Cunnington - 2/1 Heavy Artillery

Ray McMillan RAAF

At Kota Bahru when Jap invasion fleet landed - moved to Sumatra and Java- Aircraft destroyed - POW- To Burma end working on Railway - Ended up in Japan (Omuta Camp 17).

Ridgewell Richard (Dick) WX14197 2/4 Machine Gun Battalion

Arrived Singapore an 42 -. POW Feb 42 - To Siam with D Force - Konyu area - Contact with Captain (MO) Phil Millard and saw amputation- After railway finished - in Maintanance party back up line - In Tamakarn when bridge bombed - Nakon Nyok digging tunnel - In Bangkok at the end

Robert Giles 8 Division Ammo Sub Park

F Force to Thailand - Medical Officer Bruce Hunt - Returned to Singapore when line finished. Also interview with his wife.

Robert McK (Bobby) Shoobridge - 2/3 Motor Ambulance Convoy

Under command of Maj Robert Dick with doctor Captain Des Brennan. Part of Operation 'Matador' on the Thailand border December 41. In Aug 42 sent on the ship Fukki Maru to Formasoa (Taiwan), Chosen (Korea) and ultimately to Manchuko (Manchuria). 16 Australians arrived at Mukden , Mancharia 11 Nov 1942. Also 3 NZs and 81 Brits and approx 1,300 Americans. Temperature in Mukden often 30 degrees below.

Robert Miller - Royal Australian Navy

Sent to UK to become an officer - To Singapore and coxswain on wooden hulled vessels (Fairmile Patrol Boat) - Captured Banka Island - To Palembang on Sumatra - War over, recovered to Singapore than back to Australia on Highland Chieftain.

Ron Earl 2/6 Field Company RAE.

To Singapore 1941. - 'A' Force to Burma on Toyohashi Maru, Victoria Point, Tavoy, Ye. - MO Capt Alec (Hoppy) White - 105 anf 55 Kilo camps. Train to Siam - Barges at Wampo - Later doing Maintenace up line - Fellow POW Alex Hodgson

Rowley Richards

Training and fighting in Singapore 1941 and 1942. Early days as a POW. A POW with A-Force sent to Burma May 42. Contact with Captain Bill Drower a British Officer who was an interpreter with A-Force. Concerts. Joining of the railway 17 October 1943. Movement to Thailand.. Praise for his Medical Orderlies. Transported by ship to Japan.. Sinking of his ship the Rakyuo Maru. On lifeboat rowing to China. Sakata POW camp Japan. POW labour leased to Japanese industry. Japanese Medical Orderly. The Factors of…

Roy and Joyce Smith

2/4 Machine Gunner - D-Force - Many camps - Kachu Mountain Camp at the end - Joyce served in the Womens Forces

Roy Oswald Young- 2/4 Casualty Clearing Station VX42565

Trained to be Medical Orderly by Nurses- To Singapore on Queen Mary. 90 operations in one night- CCS in Lunatic Asylum in Johore- Work with Motor Ambulance Convoy- Roberts Barracks Allied Hospital- To Burma with “A” Force May 42- at Mergui and Tavoy before railway- Lt Col Coates- Malaraia- 55 Kilo Hospital Camp- Chemists- Amputations- Comparisons of Medical Officers- Nakhon Pathom Hospital Camp- 10,000 patients (actually 8,000)-

Roy Whitecross

Clerk on HQ 8 Div - With E-Force Burma - Later to Japan to Omuta Camp 17 - POW David Runge had legs amputated, by MO Captain Duncan, after Cruel treatment by Japs.

Stuart Simpson Captain TX2188

Stuart Simpson Captain TX2188 Dental Officer 2/4 Casualty Clearing Station and with “A” Force in Burma. Then in Thailand and finally after 15 August 1945 at the Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok.

Wally Holding - WX 17634 - 2/4 Machine Gun Battalion.

Arrived Singapore January 42. POW 15 February 42. To Burma Thailand Railway as member of "F"Force April 43. In Songkurai area, with high death rate. Once had to march into Burma to collect supplies. Back to Singapore late 43. Worked on the Airfield.

Willy Katarski (nee Groenewud)

Born Sumatra - Educated Holland pre war - Last ship out of Amsterdam - Family incarcerated Java - - worked in kitchen - War ended to Bangkok at Orient Hotel - to Holland- worked - Met Alec 47 and married 49 - to West Australia 1951.Alec Katarski - parents white Russians - Born Timor - At age 19 became POW - To Siam Rintin Camp - Dr Bras and Padre Hamel with him - Worked with elephants - later to Japan to Omuta Camp 17 on Kyushsu Island - Mining coal - Knew of Australian David Runge having both legs amputated -…