WX12157 Ted Hardey and WX4927 Aussie Climie
The tale of two young kangaroo hunters in WA’s northwest!
In October 1986 ‘Borehole Bulletin’ a letter receieved, was printed from Mr. D.E. Powell who had given his address as ‘Int’l. Airport Projects, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’. He was a nephew of WX Edward Charles (Ted) Hardey ‘D’ Company and was hoping somebody from 2/4th could provide any information.
Powell had included in his letter the following information:
Powell thought his uncle Ted Hardey had seen service in France WW1 and enlisted again May 1941 with a mate, Climie. Climie had in fact enlisted July 1940 and was with C Company. Ted Hardey enlisted May 1941 aged 43 years.
Ted, who was married gave his address as 29 Woodville Street, North Perth.
Hardey and Climie had been mates together and kangaroo shooting (for payment in those days) around Carnarvon. Hardey’s family resided in Carnarvon.
From Singapore, both men were selected with ‘A’ Force Burma, Green Force No. 3 Battalion to work on the northern end of railway in Burma. Their ships departed Singapore Harbour 14 May 1942 for southwest Burma. Green Force disembarked at Victoria Point, with their main focus on repairing and extending the airfield. At completion A Force Green Force No. 3 Battalion were the first Burma work party for the railway and arrived Kendau 4.8 km Camp commencing work 1 October 1942. The two men moved to other designated camps – Thetkaw 14km, Meiloe 75k, Augganaung 105km between 1 Oct 1942 to end of December 1943.
At this point when the railway was completed, the Japanese transported all POWs working in Burma south to Thailand to one of 4 or 5 large Camps, depending on their health.
Hardey and Climie were very fortunate to remain fairly healthy during their time working on the railway and arrived at Tamarkan where the POWs were able to take advantage of better food and living conditions. Climie was selected fit to go to Japan with what would become ‘Rakuyo Maru’ Party. Powell wrote Hardey missed out on this draft – he was with a work or ration party. Eddie tried every way to get himself into ‘Rakuyo Maru’ Party – his efforts unsuccessful. (He would have been thankful!)
Climie eventually reached Japan having survived his time in the South China Ocean and sinking of his ship ‘Rakuyo Maru’ – torpedoed by American submarines. He was picked up with survivors by a Japanese ship. The POWs already traumatised and injured were nor treated like survivors – in fact were treated appallingly and were duly delivered to Japan having first sailed to Taiwan.
Climie was really out of luck. He was sadly killed during an Allied air raid over Kawasaki Camp 14D on 13 July 1945 – just one month short of the end of the war. He was 37 years old. Read further about Climie.
Hardey fared a little better in that he did make it home – he sailed to Japan with ‘Awa Maru’ Party but had the misfortune to be sent to Omuta, the Mitsui Camp which was run by American Mafia and brutal Japanese guards.
Hardey had enlisted for service in WW1 at the age of 17 or 18.
Read further about Ted Hardey.
