The Soldier's Details

 

 

Matson & Tom Pilmoor WX17393

 

Neville was selected as POW Singapore to work on Burma-
Thai Railway with ‘D’ Force Thailand, V Battalion.  This Battalion departed Singapore Railway Station about mid March 1943 crowded into small carriages on a 4 day ‘trying’ journey to Thailand.  ‘Trying’ is appropriate because V Battalion was to endure 50% death rate and a dreadful time – separated from all  of ‘D’ Force Battalions their work camps included being with large numbers of Dutch East Indies POWs who dictated distribution of food and work, leaving the Australians with a definite unfair advantage.

Please read further about V Battalion.

Once the rail link was completed (end of 1943)  Matson was selected from Tamuang Camp with a maintenance line party to work at Tamajao.

Also read about Wampo-Tavoy Escape Road

 

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Gladys Beryl Matson married George Rodwell Perth 1941.  She died at Katanning 1966.

After the war, Neville returned to his pre-war employer, the Post Office and continued to do so until his retirement.

 

 

 

He married Joan Elaine White about 1948.

In the Electoral Rolls of 1949 the couple are residing Mt Barker.

They must have moved to Waroona soon after, as we find them listed in social pages during early to mid 1950s.

 

Below:  Harvey-Murray Times  14 August 1953

 

1958 – Mandurah, 1972 Roebourne where Neville is Postmaster, 1980 back to Mandurah where Neville is now Postmaster.

In 1972, Neville and his wife Joan were living in Roebourne.  He had about another 12 months working  at the Roebourne Post Office before returning to live in Perth.  (information Borehole Bulletin Jan 1972).

The couple had two sons and one daughter.

Neville died 21 March 1997 at Mandurah.  Joan (nee White) who was born Corrigin 1929, died at Mandurah about 2016.