The Soldier's Details
- Surname:
- Kingdon
- First Name:
- John
- Nick Name:
- Jack
- Rank:
- Private
- Regimental #:
- WX15700
- Company:
- ‘E’ Company, Special Reserve Battalion
- Enlisted:
- 11.08.1941
- DOB:
- 7.04.1916
- Place of Birth:
- Mandurah, Western Australia
- Father's Name:
- Roger Audley Kingdon
- Mothers's Name:
- Alice Maud Kingdon
- Religion:
- Church of England
- Pre-war Occupation:
- School Teacher
- Memorial:
- Kanchanaburi War Cemetery, Plot 1, Row F, Grave 23, Age 27.
- Singapore:
- Selarang Camp and Barracks Changi
- Force:
- ‘D’ Force Thailand V Battalion
- Camps Thailand:
- Brankassi, Hindaine, Kuii - believed to be evacuated to Kanchanaburi
- POW#:
- 3/8420
- Cause of Death:
- Pulmonary Tuberculosis
- Place of Death:
- Kanchanaburi
- Date of Death:
- 13.10.1943
General Description
‘Jack’ Kingdon was a 2/4th reinforcement and joined ‘E’ Company, No. 3 Platoon where he was one of three Corporals under Commanding Officer Lt Mazza who was KIA at Bukit Timah. He was one of the very fortunate to survive the South West Bukit Timah Japanese ambush on 11 February 1942. Only 88 of 200 soldiers survived.
Please read about ‘E’ Company
Tragically Jack’s luck did not last. He was selected in Singapore to work on Burma-Thai Railway with ‘D’ Force Thailand, V Battalion. This battalion had one of the highest death rates on the line.
Read further about ‘D’ Force V Battalion
Jack was evacuated to Kanchanaburi Hospital Camp from Kuii Camp we believe, where he died on 13 Oct 1943 aged 27 years. The conditions at Kuii were appalling and the guards particularly brutal and spiteful.
Photograph taken January 2018. C. Mellor
Jack’s parents Roger Audley Kingdon born 1899 New Zealand married Alice Maud Peffers born 1892 England in 1915 Williams district. Jack’s twin brother is Roy.
Jack was teaching at Bridgetown when he enlisted 11 August 1941. He recorded his mother as his NOK.
Jack’s name is included on the Mandurah Word War II Memorial.
Mandurah World War II Memorial
This Plaque is dedicated to the Memory of Local Residents who made the ultimate Sacrifice during WW2
WX20166-PTE Peter Edward Burley-2/16th BT Aust INF
WX13160-PTE Arthur James Gallop-2/16th BT Aust INF
WX15700- PTE John Kingdon-2/4th Machine Gun BT
427712-Pilot Officer George Gray Lindley-21 SQN-RAAF
WX14009-PTE Lionel Robert Merryfull-AIF Works Coy Aust Army
415059-SGT Francis George Terry-60 OP TRG Unit RAAF
W41356-PTE George Erskine Truarn-ACMF 44th BT Aust INF
Above: At the top of 2nd page, Doreen O’Neil on behalf of the children of Class IV, V and VI reported Mr. Kingdon had built a bookcase for them for which they were truly grateful.
Camp Locations:
- Selarang Barracks Changi - Singapore
- Selarang Camp Changi - Singapore
- Brankassi, Prang Kasi, 208k - Thailand
- Hindaine, Kui Mang 200k - Thailand
- Kanchanaburi, 50k - Thailand
- Kuii, Kui Yae, 185.6k - Thailand
