The Soldier's Details

25th Light horse

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

Read more on the Donnybrook Boys.

Allan was second youngest of 4 sons born to parents Thomas F. Trigwell and Mary Jane Hamshire ‘Dolly’ Rann who married in 1913.  Their first child was a daughter Marjery.

Two of Allan’s brothers enlisted.  Colin William WX4110 from 2/3rd MGB  who returned home safely having been POW Japan and Leonard Frederick WX32276.  Allan was the only son not to return home.

Below:  Mary Jane Trigwell died 1947

Allan’s name is inscribed on the Donnybrook War Memorial.

Trigwell had served with 25th Light Horse before enlisting AIF 4 December 1941, one day after Bert Bendall – he became reinforcement for 2/4th leaving Fremantle on ‘Aquitania’ 16 January 1942 – barely 6 weeks after enlisting.

He sailed to Sandakan, Borneo with ‘E’ Force.  He was one of 3 reinforcements with A Company Headquarters to go with E Force – the others were Peter Negri and Floyed – mates staying together.  Alllen died 4 May 1945 of malaria aged 23 years in the compound of Sandakan 1 Camp.

Please read further about ‘E’ Force Borneo

The sick POWs had been moved out of their huts just before 29 May when 536 prisoners left on No 2 March for Ranau.  The Japanese then burnt the huts at Sandakan.  The POWs  were left sleeping in the open on the ground in a wired area of Sandakan 1 Camp.  Some had groundsheets, but not all.  Those able to, made humpies to shelter from the weather.

Allen Trigwell’s body was placed in slit trenches at No. 2 Camp (there was no-one well enough to bury the dead).  No. 2 Compound became the burial ground for  POWs who died after 29 May.