The Soldier's Details
- Surname:
- Thomson
- First Name:
- Eric Gerrard
- Rank:
- Private
- Regimental #:
- WX10117
- Classification:
- Rangetaker
- Company:
- ‘B’ Company, No. 7 Platoon
- Enlisted:
- 13.12.1940
- Discharged:
- 25.01.1946
- DOB:
- 27.06.1920
- Place of Birth:
- Arbroath, Scotland
- Father's Name:
- William Thomson
- Mothers's Name:
- Elizabeth Thomson
- Religion:
- Presbyterian
- Pre-war Occupation:
- Clerk and Storeman
- Singapore:
- Selarang Camp and Barracks Changi
- Force:
- ‘D’ Force Thailand, Captain Fred Harris Party
- POW#:
- 4/6719
- Return Details 1945:
- Saigon‐Bangkok-Singapore by aircraft, Singapore~Brisbane by aircraft, Brisbane-Perth by troop train.
General Description
Thomson enlisted AIF 13 Dec 1940 and later joined 2/4th MGB’s ‘B’ Company No. 7 Platoon as a rangetaker under Commanding Officer Lt. Penrod Dean.
Height 5′ 8 1/2″
He departed Singapore by train to work on Burma-Thai Railway with ‘D’ Force Thailand – working with Capt Fred Harris Party.
Please read further about this Party.
At war’s end, Thomson was recovered from French Indo-China. He had travelled to Saigon with ‘Both’ Party.
Noel Outrim’s news reaches home. He had endeavoured to mention Erik Thomson and Frank Townsend, knowing his family will contact their families. One could never be sure if mail reached Australia, and vice versa. It was simply a case of good luck.
Below: Three Thomson boys William, Edward and Eric with his sister Florrie seated with their parents.
The Thomson family’s details on the shipping list for ‘Barradine’.
Eric aged 8 years sailed from London 19 Jul 1928 on ‘Barradine’ with his parents William and Elizabeth Thomson and siblings William (14) Florence (13) and Edward (6). His father’s occupation was recorded as Butcher.
Following Eric’s return to WA he became engaged and married. His parents were then residing in South Perth.
In the 1949 and 1958 Electoral Roll, Eric and his wife Alma
Sylvia are residing 31 Tate Street, South Perth. In 1958 Eric’s mother Elizabeth is residing 59 Lawler Street, South Perth.
In 1963 Eric has remarried Sheila MacKenzie (believed to be 1959). They then resided Brickhill Road, Attadale. Eric’s occupation is Manager and Sheila is Secretary. In 1972 and 1977 Eric and Sheila are residing 7 Flannigan Rd, Applecross with same occupations.
In 1980 Sheila and Eric have moved to 3 Paperbark Drive, Willeton. They appear to have retired.
Eric died 21 May 1992 aged 71 years and Sheila died 16 May 1995 aged 83 years. Both buried at Karrakatta.
Camp Locations:
- Selarang Barracks Changi - Singapore
- Selarang Camp Changi - Singapore
- Saigon - French Indo China
