The Soldier's Details

Surname:
Gregory
First Name:
William Rice
Rank:
Private
Regimental #:
WX8625
Classification:
Rangetaker
Company:
‘A’ Company
Enlisted:
18.10.1940
Discharged:
7.01.1946
DOB:
19.11.1912
Place of Birth:
Armadale, Western Australia
Father's Name:
Joseph Gregory
Mothers's Name:
Isabella Gregory
Religion:
Church of England
Pre-war Occupation:
Miner
Java:
‘Blackforce'
Force:
'A' Force Burma, Java Party No. 4 Black Force
Camps Thailand:
Tonchan South 131km, Nikhe 133km, Kanchanaburi (13.1.1944)
POW#:
454? Not certain
Return Details 1945:
Thailand‐Singapore by aircraft; Singapore-Fremantle, HMT Moreton Bay

General Description

Prewar Gregory was recorded Electoral Rolll 1936 17 Burt St, Boulder, miner and 1937 at 35 Wittenoom Street, Boulder, miner.
He enlisted at Claremont camp. Following training Bill was utilised as a Rangetaker in ‘A’ Company.   Unable to reboard ‘Aquitania’ before she sailed from Fremantle for Singapore on 16 Jan 1942, Bill was one of about 90 trained machine gunners from 2/4th left behind in Fremantle.
Please read further about this incident.
They later set sail for Singapore but by this time, Singapore was about to Surrender and they were deposited at Java.
He was a member of ‘Blackforce’ captured in Java about 8 March.   He was later sent to Thailand as a member of ‘A’ Force Burma, Java Party No. 4 Black Force.

Please read further about this work Force.

He was at Kanchanaburi 50km, Tonchan South 131 km and 133 km Camps, Thailand.  When the war ended he flew from Bangkok to Singapore before sailing with HMT Moreton Bay to Fremantle.

Discharged 7 Jan 1946

After the war, William Rice returned to live in Armadale.  In 1946 he married Candelaris Halliday.
In the 1949 and 1954 Electoral Roll William was recorded residing Seventh Road, Armadale, working as  a butcher.

 

 

Camp Locations:

  • Kanchanaburi, 50k - Thailand
  • Tonchan South, 131k - Thailand
  • Nikhe, Ni Thea, 133Kilo Camp, 281.80km - Thailand
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