The Soldier's Details

Surname:
Hackshaw
First Name:
Albert Coe
Nick Name:
Bert
Rank:
Private
Regimental #:
WX7801
Company:
‘B’ Company, No 9 Platoon.
Enlisted:
10.09.1940
DOB:
5.04.1900
Place of Birth:
Epsom, Surrey, England
Father's Name:
Henry Frank Hackshaw
Mothers's Name:
Rose Edith Hackshaw (nee Higgins)
Religion:
Church of England
Pre-war Occupation:
Foreman with the Main Roads Department
Memorial:
Thanbyuzayat War Cemetery, Plot A16, Row C, Grave 19, Age 43.
Singapore:
Selarang Camp Changi, Johre Bahru, Adam Park, Selarang Barracks Changi
Force:
‘F’ Force Thailand
Camps Burma:
Tanbaya Hospital Camp
POW#:
1/11818
Cause of Death:
Tropical Ulcers
Place of Death:
Tanbaya Hospital Camp Burma
Date of Death:
2.11.1943
Buried:
Grave No. 548, Tanbaya.

General Description

Albert Hackshaw died from ulcers at Tanbaya Hospital.  He had been evacuated with other sick from ‘F’ Force to this hospital camp in Burma from the Force work camps in Thailand.

Please read about ‘F’ Force

Read further about Tanbaya Hospital Camp

Hackshaw died two days earlier than Goodwin from 2/4th,  together their funeral service conducted by Chaplain Duckworth (British Army) on 15.11.1943. Actual burial was conducted at 0130 hours on 2.11.1943.
‘Albert’s WWI Enlistment
In January 1918, aged 18 years and 10 months Albert enlisted with 28th Battalion, WW1, his service No. 52068.  His occupation was recorded as Milk Carter.   He had completed 12 months as a cadet.  He was sent to Blackboy Hill and embarked at Albany in May 1918 sailing to Alexandria before reaching Southampton, England.   He joined the reinforcements 28th Btn in France in October 1918.
He was discharged August 1919.
The Hackshaw family departed London 24 December 1912 on ‘Ajana’ to sail to Fremantle.  There were 9 children recorded –  Rose, Annie, May, Albert, Reginald, Janie, Beatrice, Gertrude & Alan and a further 5 were born in Western Australia.
The family firstly resided at Bellvue where Henry Hackshaw was employed by the WA Government Railways and their youngest child Charles was born.
In 1925 the family moved to Bencubbin and it appears there was a property or properties purchased by Henry and several of his sons including Albert.
As is evidenced below, Albert, his father Henry and brothers Reginald and Frederick’s dreams of successfully farming wasn’t to be.  Sadly they joined the 100s and 100s of Western Australians who took up land at that time and due to depression, low agricultural prices, rabbits and even the weather they were forced to walk off their land.  It would have been a terrible time for them.
It is thought Albert and Reginald moved to the north-west to work before enlisting.  Albert was at Roebourne.
In 1940 Henry and Rose moved to Cannington then South Perth.

 

 

 

Hackshaw West Australian 8th October 1946

Hackshaw 10th October 1945

West Australian 10th October

 

A further tragedy for the Hackshaw family was the death of Albert’s younger brother Reginald Hackshaw WX7800 who was KIA 1 Sep 1942 in Papua New Guinea whilst serving with 2/16th Btn.  He was 36 years old and married.

 

 

Note the brothers would have enlisted same day.  Reginald was WX7800 and Albert WX7801.
Albert’s last know recorded address was Carlisle where he shared residence with his younger brother Frederick Percy Hackshaw, however it is believed he was living Bencubbin  prior to enlistment.

 

Henry Frank Hackshaw died in 1955.

Camp Locations:

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  • Johore Bahru, - Malaysia
  • Selarang Barracks Changi - Singapore
  • Selarang Camp Changi - Singapore
  • Tanbaya, 362k - Burma
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