The Soldier's Details

 

Jim enlisted AIF 2 Aug 1940 and later joined 2/4th’s Headquarters Company under CO Lt Col Michael Anketell.  Anketell who died of wounds during battle for Singapore.

Jim was AWOL from ‘Aquitania’ following her sailing from Sydney to Fremantle and with about 100 men from the 2/4th was unable to reboard before their ship sailed to Singapore 16 Jan 1942.  This group sailed later intending to land at Singapore, however the island was about to fall to Japan and the men instead were landed in Java.

Jim was with ‘Blackforce’, for further information

He became part of ‘Blackforce’ at Java and was with 2/3 MGB.  When told to lay down arms and surrender to Japanese, Jim broke away hoping to escape.  However he realised there would be no further allied ships arriving or leaving.  He ventured into the hills to a tea plantation.  It was here he was bitten by a snake.  He awoke later in a Japanese POW Camp with Dutch and Americans.  He was first imprisoned at Bandeong and later sent to Bicycle Camp.

Allpike with sent from Bicycle Camp, Java  with ‘D’ Force Thailand No. 6 ‘O’ Battalion  sailing to Singapore  7 Jan 1943, remaining there until 19 Jan 1943 when he left with his party by train to work on the  Burma-Thai Railway.

Jim was POW was with Weary Dunlop at Hintock Mountain Camp. Due to the initiative of a Major Clarke (a Dentist) and others they established a still at the camp to produce distilled water. The still was operated up to 24 hours a day, staffed by the officers, and could produce 120 pints of saline. The distilled water could have salt added later to produce saline fluid. Amongst other things, this could be infused to improve fluid levels of dysentery and cholera patients. Jim used to carry four 1 gallon demi-johns of distilled water from Hintock Mountain Camp to Hintock River Camp, a return journey of over 8km, several times a day. Jim had no boots and walked/ran the path in all weathers by day or night. It is reported that he was seen doing a delivery at 2 AM on one occasion. One would need to see the terrain to appreciate the difficulty. If you have a copy of Ghosts in Khaki (author Les Cody deceased February 2002) there are pictures of young Jim Allpike on pages 31 and 253.

Article prepared by Lt. Col. Peter Winstanley OAM RFD (Retired) JP 2003 E-mail peterwinstanley@bigpond.com

In the interview with Winstanley, Jim was diagnosed at the Wampo area (it was actually Tamuang Camp) with Black Water Fever by Dr. Pavillard who was born Canary Islands. He studied medicine at Madrid and Edinburgh Universities and was working in Malaya when the Japanese invaded, enlisting as a Medical Officer with  Straits Settlement Volunteer Forces as a Lieutenant and taken POW at Singapore.

Dedicated Pavillard was sent as far as Kinsayok.  With his acquired knowledge in tropical illnesses he stood out as a competent doctor and was respected by both POWs and other doctors.

Please read Pavillard’s story

Jim was recovered from Thailand at the end of the war.

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Jim’s parents Bert and Elsie Winfield married about 1920 in Perth.  Bert aged 24 years, single enlisted 11th Battalion WW1, received serious GSW to hand 1915 at Gallipoli and was returned to Australia, discharged 4/4/1916 and given a pension 45/- per fortnight.  Bertie enlisted WW2.

Below:  Bertie Allpike WW1

‘Western Mail’ Nov 1916

Three Sons of Mrs. J Allpike, Fremantle.

Left to Right:  Bert and Ernest 11th Battalion both wounded and Harry Allpike of Remount Corps. Harry died in 1920.

Please read about Remount Corps

Also please read about 2/4th boys who had fathers and uncles in 11th Battalion.

 

Below:  This memorial notice believed to be from Harry’s sons.

 

 

Elsie died 1958 aged 65 years at Naval Base.  Bert died 1973 at Beaconsfield aged 84 years. The Allpike and Winfield families were well known residents of Hamilton Hill.

 

 

Jim Allpike had four sisters.  He married at Fremantle about 1939 to Audrey Eileen Dunstan.

Below:  Jim’s grandfather died in 1946.

Jim  & Audrey Eilleen Allpike are recorded on the 1949 &  1954 Electoral Roll living at Britannia Ave, South Coogee.  Jim working as a farmer.  His parents in 1954 are residing Hope Valley Road, Naval Base.  In 1958 parents Bertie & Elsie are at Hope Valley Road, Naval Base.  Bertie a pensioner.

Below:  not entirely certain this is ‘our Jim Allpike’ however we do know he was residing at Naval Base, farmer.

We wish to acknowledge and thank Jim’s daughter Leonie Milller who assisted us and provided information.  Jim was a leading hose trainer during the 1950’s.  He trained a horse called ‘Fair Man’.  He won the Railway Stakes in 1958 with ‘On Guard’  – a highlight in his training career.

 

Jim Allpike died Darwin, NT 17 Nov 2012, Audrey Eileen Allpike died Darwin, NT 22 June 2012.

 

Below: part of Jim’s father Bertie’s WW1 Records.

Bertie Allpike enlisted at Helena Vale 17 August 1914 to  11th Battalion, 3rd Reinforcements ‘D’ Coy, Service No 402.  Aged 24 years, he had completed his training as a Harness Maker.  He recorded his NOK as his father – Henry James Allpike, 29 Wardle Street, South Fremantle.

Shipped to Cario, Egypt where he obviously enjoyed himself because on 11 Dec 1914 he received 7 days detention for ‘being drunk in town’.  He also forfeited 2 days pay for being absent without leave from reville 26 Dec 1914.

Bertie received a severe GSW to his hand at Gallipoli about 25 April 1915 and was eventually evacuated to First  Australia Aux. Hospital Harefield, England (possibly via Alexandria).  Returned to Australia, he was granted a pension of 39 pounds per annum, then increased to 45/- per fortnight.  His home address was recorded as 29 Wardle Street, South Fremantle – his father’s home.

 

Above & Below:  W237085 Bert Allpike (Snr) WW2
Enlistment.

Below:  An interesting historical memory of early Fremantle by Jim Allpike’s Grandfather, Henry James Allpike, in 1907.