The Soldier's Details

Bill enlisted October 1940 and later joined 2/4th’s ‘A’ Company 5 Platoon as a driver.  Following the Allied Surrender at Singapore, he became a POW accommodated at Selarang.

He was selected to work on  Burma end of Burma-Thai railway with ‘A’ Force Burma, Geeen Force No. 3 Battalion.  3,000 POWs sailed from Singapore in May 1942 for south west coast of Burma, where they would first repair/enlarge 3 airfields.  Bill remained with Green Force No 3 Battalion at Victoria Point before arriving at the northern most point of railway, the first Australians to work on the rail link on 1 October 1942 Kendau  4.8km Camp. They would remain working in Burma until end of 1943 – when the Japanese began moving all POWs south to Thailand to one of several large camps – sorting the fit and the sick.  The railway virtually completed – except for the men who would perform the many maintenance tasks created by bombing raids, wood tasks for the trains, etc.

We believe was sent to Tamarkan, Thailand.

Bill was selected with ‘Awa’  Maru Party.  Please read further.

He was sent to Saigon, then back to Singapore to board ‘Awa’ Maru.

Bill Haywood was recovered from Japan 13 September 1945 at war’s end.  He was at Fukuoka No. 17 Omuta Coal Mine  having arrived 16th January 1945.

Please read about Omuta Camp

also at this site

Bill was married to Lorna Adelaide Porter June 1935 at Adjana near Northampton, prior to his departure with 2/4th. Lorna was born in Northampton.  Bill had been staying with his sister who was living in Adjana with her husband Reg Glass on the property ‘Coolcalalaya’.

Bill Haywood passed away 5/1/1997 Grovedale, Victoria.  Alice May Haywood died 1960 also Victoria.

Below:  William Haywood (Snr) died June 1943 Austin Hospital, Melbourne.