The Soldier's Details

Trigwell family, 1940

Back L to R; Merle, Vern (known to friends as Sid) Harold, Eunice Front L to R; Wal, Tot, Ossie, Alf, Irwin

Younger brother WX4096 Harold Hamilton Trigwell enlisted and joined 2/3rd MGB. Harold standing next to Vern.

Please read further about Harold Trigwell

 

25th Light Horse

Vern Trigwell in middle row furthest right. Harry Cain second row from top, 4th man from left. Allan Trigwell second row from top, 2nd man from left.

Read more about Vern in Stories  Donnybrook Boys.

Vern Trigwell enlisted in the Militia at Donnybrook 14 March 1941

Service No.  W25644

Unit:  25th Light Horse (Machine Gun) Regiment.

He spent about 3 months training at Melville, before enlisting 2/4th.

Read Letters written to Mrs Trigwell from Harold Thomas Bunker

Also please read about ‘A’ Force Burma, Green Force No. 3

When the POWs had virtually completed the Burma-Thai Railway, they were brought south to one of 4 holding Camps, and or hospitals, in Vern’s case most likely it was Tamarkan.  (Unfortunately there are no records.).   It was here the POWs were ‘fattened up’ – well the food was a vast improvement on what they had survived whilst working on the railway!  Also they were not required to participate in work parties.  It was here the ‘fit’ POWs were selected to go to Japan.  They eventually travelled via Bangkok on the train to French Indo-China, and to Saigon.  Unable to sail out of Saigon because of the American submarine blockade, the men bound for ‘Rakuyo Maru’ were then returned to Singapore by train via Bangkok to Singapore and accommodated at River Valley Road Transit Camp to await an available ship.  Many POWs were sent out on work parties whilst at River Valley Camp.

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Vern’s name, as well as his mate Allan Trigwell who died Sandakan, and other 2/4th men William John Tucker WX7484, Norman James Venemore WX9292, Leo Patrick Walsh WX8776, Frederick William Webb WX9829, Frederick William Toms WX7664,  David William Thomas WX6623, who were also lost at sea following the sinking of Rakuyo Maru.  Also included James Wilkie WX8706, Harold Raymond Turner WX 17593 and Arthur Stanley Thorns WX10289 who died Sandakan.

The starkness of farewells of soldiers going to war is no more poignant than the following comment from Vern’s younger brother.

‘Ossie Trigwell, younger brother to Vern was going to school on the morning that Vern was leaving for Northam.  Riding off down the farm track to go to school, he turned to Vern and said, “I haven’t said goodbye yet”.  Vern called out, “Don’t worry about that, I will get leave before I go overseas”.  And that was the last he saw of him as there was no leave.’

Height 5′ 7″

 

 

 

 

Vern Trigwell’s name is inscribed on the Donnybrook War Memorial.