The Soldier's Details

32 year old Colin Blakeway enlisted AIF Dec 1940 at Claremont.

At the time he was working for an oil company and was married and residing at Merredin.    His wife Mona Parfitt Blakeway was residing 25 Ward Street, Kalgoorlie.  He married about 1936 East Coolgardie  to Mona Parfitt Blacker she was born in Boulder 1910.  Their daughter Elizabeth Ann was born Merredin Nov 1938.  A son was born July 1946 in Perth.

Lieutenant Colin Blakeway was given the task of Escort Officer only of the 2/4th men who missed ‘Aquitania’ – because they were AWOL and unable to re-board for various reasons (some had been placed in gaol and could not be freed in time)  before ship departed.

What a disaster to be chosen for this job & then taken POW of Japan.

Blakeway and 2/4th men  sailed on HMT ‘Marella’ were left at Tanjong Priok, the port of Batavia and not Singapore as was the original plan.  Singapore was about to surrender.

He was attached to ‘C’ Coy 2/3rd MGB and captured on south coast of Java sometime between 14 – 26 March 1942 probably attempting an escape from the Island. He had earlier been in action south of Buitensong.

Blakeway was sent to Burma end of Railway from Java Party No. 4 Williams Force.

Please read about Williams Force

He was recovered from Nakom Nayok Camp, Thailand 16 Aug 1945.

Below:  a message sent to his wife after being freed.

 

 

His parents married 1902 West Ham, Essex, England.  Colin was one of three sons.  Colin’s father Roger Herbert Blakeway died Victoria 1954.  His mother died 1921 in England.  Both parents were born England. Colin arrived in Australia in 1922.

Colin’s marriage to Mona dissolved about 1954. Mona remarried in 1959.

Below:  Colin took up a variety of interests/work.  Below he is crayfisherman in Geraldton.

Above:  Colin’s father or brother visits from Victoria.

 

 

He remarried about 1961 to Audrey Lorraine Iles.

In July 1972 Blakeway was residing at Badgingarra, WA.

In 1980 Electoral Roll Colin and Audrey were residing Morley.

Colin Blakeway died 7 September 1999 at Mandurah aged 90 years.   He was cremated at Karrakatta Cemetery.

 

Seated on chairs:  Colin’s parents Olive Blakeway (nee McCartney) and Roger Herbert Blakeway.  Child standing at back brother Roger McCartney Blakeway.  Seated on ground  Left: Colin Gower Blakeway and in front of his father Frank Stanley Blakeway.