The Soldier's Details
- Surname:
- Elvish
- First Name:
- Robert Philip
- Nick Name:
- Bob
- Rank:
- Private
- Regimental #:
- WX8381
- Company:
- 'A' Company, No. 5 Platoon
- Enlisted:
- 13.09.1940
- DOB:
- 18.09.1901
- Place of Birth:
- Clacton on Sea, Thorpe-le‐Soken, Essex, England
- Father's Name:
- Robert Elvish
- Mothers's Name:
- Emily Elvish
- Religion:
- Church of England
- Pre-war Occupation:
- Stationhand
- Memorial:
- Kanchanaburi War Cemetery, Plot 1, Row M, Grave 54, Age 42.
- Singapore:
- Selarang Camp and Barracks Changi
- Force:
- 'D' Force Thailand, V Battalion
- Camps Thailand:
- Kinsaiyok, Brankassi, Hindaine, Kuii, Chungkai
- POW#:
- 1/7621, 7995 & 2240
- Cause of Death:
- Pellagra and Tropical Ulcers
- Place of Death:
- Chungkai
- Date of Death:
- 9.10.1943
- Buried:
- Grave No. 643, Chungkai.
General Description
Bob sailed from London 3 October 1925 to Fremantle, WA. He was 23 years old and his occupation was recorded as Farm Worker. From 1931 to 1937 he worked at ‘Cooralya’ Station, about 75 kms north of Carnarvon. It is also likely he continued working at ‘Cooralya’ Station as a Boundary Rider up until his enlistment. ‘Cooralya’ is about 64 km from. Carnarvon – so not so isolated as many others. At one time Ernest Lefroy and his family were residing at Cooralya.
Below: Cooralya homestead and woolshed.
He was one of about 7 or 8 children born to parents Robert and Emily Elvish. Bob’s father was a farmer/dairyman/poultry dealer according to 1911 Census Records, England.
Shipping records show Robert (Bob) Elvish sailing from London on 8 February 1938 to Fremantle on ‘Maloja’ . His address was ‘Yalabia’ Station, Carnarvon.
Bob’s name appears often staying at the Gascoyne Hotel in Carnarvon, and travelling from Carnarvon to Fremantle/Perth.
Above: Ted Taylor’s letter in which he includes Bob Elvish as being with him.
Robert Elvish was selected in Singapore with ‘D’ Force V Battalion to work on the Burma-Thai Railway. This Battalion had one of the highest death rates.
They left Singapore about 18 March 1943 by train to the Thai end of the rail link.
To read further about V Battalion, please go to
It is not known when Bob became ill, but he was evacuated from either Kuii or Hindaine Camp to Chungkai Hospital Camp where he died on 9 October 1943 from ulcers and pellagra.
He had been hospitalised in Singapore with beri beri. On 7 Aug 1942 he was admitted to AGM with beri beri and transferred to No. 2 Convalescant Depot 8 August 1942. He rejoined unit 29 August 1942.
Please read further about Carnarvon enlistments
Camp Locations:
- Selarang Barracks Changi - Singapore
- Selarang Camp Changi - Singapore
- Brankassi, Prang Kasi, 208k - Thailand
- Hindaine, Kui Mang 200k - Thailand
- Kinsaiyok Main, 170.2k - Thailand
- Kuii, Kui Yae, 185.6k - Thailand
- Pratchinburi - Thailand
