The Soldier's Details

Surname:
Isaac
First Name:
John
Nick Name:
Jack
Rank:
Private
Regimental #:
WX7889
Company:
Headquarters Company, No. 2 Platoon, Ack Ack.
Enlisted:
13.08.1940
Discharged:
11.02.1946
DOB:
28.02.1908
Place of Birth:
Abergavenny, Wales
Father's Name:
Benjamin Howell Isaac
Mothers's Name:
Lilly Isaac
Religion:
Church of England
Pre-war Occupation:
Miner
Singapore:
Selarang Camp Changi
Force:
‘A’ Force Burma, Green Force, No. 3 Battalion
Camps Thailand:
Tamarkan, Bangkok
POW#:
3073
Return Details 1945:
Thailand-Singapore by aircraft; Singapore-Fremantle, HMT Moreton Bay

General Description

John Isaac enlisted Aug AIF 1940 and later joined 2/4th’s HQ Coy No. 2 Platoon Anti Aircraft.   CO was Lt. John Royce.
During the fighting at Hill 200 Ulu Pandan 12 Feb 1942 Lt Royce was KIA, as were Platoon’s two Sergeants L/Sgt Phillips and Sgt Bill Innes, Privates Gray and Todd.
At least 3 soldiers of this Platoo were unable to reboard ‘Aquitania’, and sailed to Java. Corp. Annesley, Pte Hayes and E.C. Jones.  (There were more than 90 trained machine gunners left behind in Fremantle).

 

mrsangus copy 2

Jack standing second row, 2nd from Left.

 

Isaac left with ‘A’ Force Burma, Green Force No. 3 Battalion was the first work force to depart Singapore.  3,000 Australians sailed from Singapore  May 1942.
Please read further about ‘A’ Force Burma Green Force
During his time with ‘A’ Force, Green Force No, 3 Battalion John was recorded at the following Camps:
Tavoy Hospital, Bumra – 9.9.1942
Ankanan 105k Hospital Camp, Burma  24.9.1943
Tamarkan Hospital Camp, Thailand.12.3.1944
Bangkok – 26.4.1944.
He was recovered from Thailand and sailed home on ‘Moreton Bay’ 15 October – 24th October 1945.

 

Below:  Jack’s POW card successfully contacts his family in Collie. He mentioned Harry Fuhrmann and Jimmy Quinn being with him.

 

 

John was born Benjamin John Isaac, however seemed to have dropped ‘Benjamin’.  His parents Benjamin Howell Isaac married Lilly Edwards in Wales in 1907.  John was the eldest.  The family moved to Collie in Western Australia between 1910-1912.  There were 7 children.
1911 Census, Bejamin Isaac aged 28 years was a pony or tony  (pony making more sense) driver (Abergavenny, Wales) with wife and two children including John 3 years and Gwyn two yeaqrs younger.   By 1916 the Isaac family were residing at Collie.  Five further children were born, Gertrude, Arthur, Cyril Dorothy and Hazel.
We know Welsh mining conditions were questionable during these times – we hope the Collie mines were an improvement.
Please read about the boys from Collie.
John followed in his father’s footsteps and became a miner.
John or Jack as he was known, married at Collie in 1941 to Doreen Victoria May Slee.  She was born Beverley 1916 and died at Collie in 1977.
His father Benjamin Isaac died in 1959 aged 64 years at Collie.
In 1963 through to 1972 John and Doreen resided Wallsend Street, Collie with John working as a miner.
John Isaac passed away at Collie on 14th February 1975 aged 66 years.

Camp Locations:

  • Selarang Camp Changi - Singapore
  • Tamarkan, Tha Makham 56k - Thailand
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