The Soldier's Details
- Surname:
- Wankey
- First Name:
- Milton Eric
- Nick Name:
- Eric
- Rank:
- Lieutenant
- Regimental #:
- WX9392
- Awards:
- Military Cross
- Company:
- ‘D’ Company, 13 Platoon
- Enlisted:
- 16.11.1940
- Discharged:
- 1.03.1946
- DOB:
- 4.05.1918
- Place of Birth:
- Narrogin, Western Australia
- Father's Name:
- Edward Adolphus Wankey
- Mothers's Name:
- Beryl Viola Wankey (nee Harris)
- Religion:
- Church of England
- Pre-war Occupation:
- Letter Press Machinist
- Singapore:
- Selarang Camp and Barracks Changi, A. G. H. Roberts Barracks Changi, Changi Gaol Camp.
- POW#:
- 1/872
- Return Details 1945:
- Singapore-Darwin‐Melbourne, 1st Netherlands Military Hospital Ship Oranje, Melbourne‐Perth by aircraft.
General Description
Lieutenant Wankey was Commanding Officer of ‘D’ Coy, No 13 Platoon. Please read further about ‘D’ Coy 13 Platoon.
He was wounded in action at 2330 hours on 8/2/2942 at No. 13 Platoon position at the northern end of Lim Chu Kang Road; an area vital to defence as it was the only solid landing beach in the Battalion Sector. During the whole of 8th February and the day previously the area was subjected to very heavy artillery fire and the enemy commenced landing operations at 2130 hours. Barges attempted to land in waves at 10-15 minute intervals but were held off by close range M.G. fire. Tremendous casualties were inflicted.
Wankey was wounded in action transferred to 2/10th Australian General Hospital ex-2/9th Field Ambulance on 10/2/1942. Transferred to 2/13th Australian General Hospital on 17/2/1942 where his lower right leg was amputated. Transferred to 2/9th Field Ambulance on 22/2/1942. Transferred to the Australian General Hospital at Roberts Barracks Changi on 11/3/1942. Discharged to unit on 26/3/1942. He was awarded an ‘A’ Medical Classification by the Japanese and remained in Singapore throughout the war.
Please read about Wankey & Gleeson’s Changi limbs
Appointment terminated 1/3/1946.
Lieutenant Milton Eric Wankey was awarded Military Cross for his devotion to duty, and whilst severely wounded in right knee, he remained at his post and was an outstanding example of courage which embued his men with the determination to hold this key position and so deny he enemy an important bridgehead for a period of four hours during 8 February 1942.
Eric Wankey was born at Dudinin to Edward Adolphus Wankey and Beryl Viola Harris. Dudinin is south east of Wickepin and in the Shire of Kulin.
Below: Eric attended school at Pingelly.
In 1943, Eric’s maternal GrandfatherJames Harris died March 1943.
Below: 1941, Eric was working/residing Carnamah (another 2/4th was Eric Fraser)
Returning from war Wankey married about 1946 to Margaret Wealands.
Below: Eric’s father Edward Wankey died at Morowa 1948.
Below: In 1950, Eric is in Pingelly.
Eric Wankey died 15 March 1999.
Camp Locations:
- Changi Gaol Camp - Singapore
- Roberts Barracks Changi - Singapore
- Selarang Barracks Changi - Singapore
- Selarang Camp Changi - Singapore
