The Soldier's Details

Surname:
Bamford
First Name:
Allan Wesley
Rank:
Corporal (Promoted 14.2.1942)
Regimental #:
WX 8485
Classification:
Clerk
Company:
Battalion Headquarters
Enlisted:
18.10.1940
Discharged:
8.01.1946
DOB:
6.07.1913
Place of Birth:
Maylands, Western Australia
Father's Name:
Charles Edwin Bamford
Mothers's Name:
Daisy Bamford
Religion:
Church of England
Pre-war Occupation:
Accountant
Singapore:
Selarang Camp Changi
Force:
'A' Force Burma, Green Force, No. 3 Battalioin.
Camps Thailand:
Tamarkan, Bangkok, Nacompaton
Camps Burma:
Khonkan 55km (evacuated from 105km Camp Aungganaung 19.11.1943 with tropical ulcer. Right leg amputated middle thigh on 22.11.1943)
POW#:
2686
Return Details 1945:
Thailand-Singapore by aircraft, Singapore-Fremantle, HMT Tamaroa.

General Description

Prior to his enlistment Allan Bamford was employed at Wentworth Motors Ltd.  He had four brothers who enlisted with the services – one was POW in Germany, two with RAN and another in the AIF in Australia.
He married several years before leaving for Singapore.  His wife was fortunate to receive a card from Allan from Burma in which he indicated he was well and other POWs with him were Bruce Chapman WX7504 and Gus Erskine WX20164.  Chapman died of illness September 1943 at Khonkan, 55 kilo Hospital aged 27 years and Erskine survived.
Bamford, A.W. WX8485
Bamford, A.W. WX8485

 

Allan Bamford was located to Nacompaton with other 2/4th amputees including Tom Barbour, Syd Gorringe and Eric Ryan.
Nacompaton was located about 30 miles west of Bangkok. Besides many amputees, POWs were sent to this camp to build up their strength following the completion of the Railway.  As their health improved slightly POWs were called out of Nacompaton in work parties.
Read further about Nacompaton Hospital Camp.
When Japan surrendered in August 1945, Nacompaton became an Allied Forces collection centre for ex-POWs who were either moved out via Bangkok to Singapore direct or via Rangoon to Singapore.
Also read about mail being received in WA
Allan’s father Charles Edwin Bamford,  served with the 28th Battalion (Regimental Number 5558), and was killed at Bullecourt, France on May 3, 1917.

September 1945

 

McGhee, Bamford

 

Camp Locations:

  • Selarang Camp Changi - Singapore
  • Nacompaton, Nakom Pathom Hospital - Thailand
  • Tamarkan, Tha Makham 56k - Thailand
  • Aungganaung,105Kilo - Burma
  • Khonkan, 55Kilo Hospital 360k - Burma
  • Bangkok - Thailand
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