The Soldier's Details

Surname:
Annear
First Name:
Richard Winston
Nick Name:
Win
Rank:
Private
Regimental #:
WX13468
Company:
‘D’ Company
Enlisted:
11.12.1940
Discharged:
26.02.1946
DOB:
29.02.1908
Place of Birth:
Kalgoorlie, Western Australia
Father's Name:
John Henry Annear
Mothers's Name:
Ada Eva Frances Anne Annear (nee Chapple)
Religion:
Church of England
Pre-war Occupation:
Business Manager
Singapore:
River Valley Road Camp, escaped to Sumatra. Captured Padan, POW at Gloe Gloer Camp (Medan), Harukiki Maru Party, Pakan Baroe-Moearo Railway, Sumatra.d
POW#:
271
Return Details 1945:
Sumatra-Singapore by aircraft, Singapore (admitted to 2/14th Australian General Hospital on 17.9.1945) Singapore‐Perth, Duke of Gloucester’s aircraft ‘Endeavour’.

General Description

Annear was reported missing from Singapore on 10/2/1942.
Having successfully escaped Singapore, Win Annear was captured at Padang, Sumatra on 9/5/1942.
Read of his escape to Sumatra.
Annear was at Gloe Gloer Camp, (Medan), Harukiku Maru, SS Van Waerwjick Party (rescued.) Annear was one of several 2/4th men who survived this sinking after being torpedoed, however 167 POWs drowned.
Read about the sinking of Harukiki Maru.

Sumatra: Pakan Baroe-Moearo Railway.

Read about Annear’s evacuation from Sumatra at the end of war.

Whilst Win Annear’s escape was successful, his younger brother (by 2 years) Dudley Annear WX13457 who was also in ‘D’ Coy, died of wounds received on 14 February 1942 at Jahore Straits, Singapore during an attempted escape to freedom.   Dudley was with Albert Bell and Roy Semple.  All three were in ‘D’ Coy, No. 15 Platoon. Bell died and Roy Semple was the only one to survive and escape to Sumatra.
Win Annear did not mention Dudley’s name when later recalling his escape and for this reason it is believed the two brothers were not together.

 

 

 

 

 

 

In 1948 ‘Win’ Annear married widow Annie ‘Nance’ Wootten (nee Brackelmann) sister of Franz Brackelmann WX8796 of 2/4th. Annear and Brackelmann were in ‘D’ Coy and the families had grown up in Kalgoorlie.
Annie’s husband Arnold Horace Wootten died in Victoria in 1945.
Annie and Franz’s parents although originally from Victoria, were living in Kalgoorlie where their children were born.  Peter Nicholas Brackelmann employed as an engineer, died at Kalgoorlie in 1910.
Following their marriage, Annie and Win Annear remained living in Kalgoorlie for a few years before moving to Perth.
Win Annear died 1 February 1990 at Nedlands aged 82 years.  His wife Annie ‘Nance’ is believed to have lived until her late 90’s.

The Annear Family

Win and his younger brother Dudley were born in Kalgoorlie to John Henry Annear and Ada Eva Frances Anne Chapple.  Prior to enlisting into AIF and the 1931 Electoral Roll, both boys were living with their mother at 61 Campbell Street, Kalgoorlie.  Dudley recorded as being  a clerk, Win was a commercial traveller.  Also sister Fay, teacher was residing at family home.

 

Below;  Annear would have been about 11 years of age.

 

 

 

Below:  Annear’s father John Henry died 1950.

 

Win passed away on 1st February 1990.

 

 

 

 

 

Camp Locations:

  • Changi Gaol Camp - Singapore
  • River Valley Road Camp - Singapore
  • Gloe Gloer Camp - Sumatra
  • Padang - Sumatra **
  • Pakan Baroe-Moearo - Sumatra **
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