The Soldier's Details

‘Arthur’ Giese enlisted AIF 13 Aug 1940 later joining 2/4th MGB’s ‘D’ Company No. 15 Platoon under Commanding Officer Meikejohn.  He trained as a Rangetaker and was one of four Corporals .  Please read further about ‘D’ Company 15 Platoon.

Giese was wounded in action at Ulu Pandan and admitted to  2/10th Australian General Hospital with a shrapnel wound to his  right leg. Discharged to unit on 23.2.1942.

Giese was selected with ‘D’ Force V Battalion to work on the Burma Thai Railway. Read further.

He was amongst several men from  2/4th who died of illness at Brankassi Camp where conditions were appalling.

 

 

Today Philip Arthur Giese rests at the Kanchanaburi War Cemetery with about 90 men from 2/4th.

Arthur’s name is inscribed on the Wyalkatchem’s War Memorial.

 

 

Philip’s parents Ernst Emil Giese and Ellen ‘Nellie’ Bee married in Claremont in 1911.

 

 

Philip was was one of 3 sons and 1 daughter born to Ernst and Nellie.  Daughter Edith was the first born while the couple were living in Greenbushes.  The Giese family lived in this area and it was probably where Ernst spent some of his formative years.

The family moved to Wyalkatchem to farm just a year or two later.

Philip was born in 1918.

 

Above:  death notice of Mrs Janet Sloane 1926, mother of Alberta (Mrs Carl Giese, Greenbushes).  Alberta is sister to Walter Sloane and Aunt to Walter’s  son Robert Sloane WX7506 KIA Singapore 9 Feb 1942.  Alberta is also Aunt to Philip Arthur Giese – her husband Carl is brother to Ernst Giese.

Please read further about WX7506 Robert Sloane

 

 

In 1926 when the family was visiting Perth for holidays,  Ernst and Nellie endured an enormous tragedy.  Their eldest son Ernest Albert aged 10 years, drowned at Crawley baths on 1st February.  Philip was about 8 years old with third son Roland known as Rolly, younger than Philip.

 

Above:  The Giese family endure a terrible tragedy when Philip’s older brother Ernst drowns in 1926 aged 10 years.

 

The Giese farming land adjoined the township of Wyalkatchem, and Ernst annually allowed the stock being exhibited at the Agricultural show to stay overnight on his property.  Also stock agents held sales at the yards adjoining the Giese farm, and once again Ernst generously invited the sellers and buyers to make use of his land.

The family was active in the Wyalkatchem community.  Ernst was on the Hospital Board and other community committees, he entered events at the local agricultural show and an active cyclist.  Philip played both tennis and cricket and had attended Wesley College, South Perth.  Please read of other 2/4th who attended Wesley.

 

 

 

This tragic drowning on the Giese farm would have brought back some very dark memories for Ernest and Ellen.

 

Above: 1937 cricket results & Phil Giese.

In 1939 Directory, Philip’s name was included as residing in Wyalkatchem and his occupation was clerk.

 

 

Above Phil Giese announces he engagement to Marjorie Morgan of Koorda 5th June 1940.

A few months later Philip Giese enlisted on 23 August 1940.

Marjorie Morgan married about 1951 and died in 2009 aged 87 years.

 

The above news and joy would not last.

 

Philip’s older sister Enid marries in 1944.

 

Philip’s father Ernst Giese (Snr) dies 17 April 1945. He had not learnt Philip died in 1943.

 

 

 

About a week after Ernst Giese died,  the terrible news arrived that Philip had died in Thailand of illness as a POW during 1943.

Philip’s mother Nellie Giese died in 1959 aged 78 years.  Nellie, Ernst and their 10 year old son Ernst Albert are buried together at Karrakatta.

Philip’s brother Rowland known as Rolly, married in the early 1950s and became a minister of the church.