The Soldier's Details

Surname:: Knott
First Name:: Claude
Rank:: Private
Regimental #:: WX7616
Classification:: Driver
Company:: 'A' Company, No. 6 Platoon
Enlisted:: 10.08.1940
Discharged:: 20.12.1945
DOB:: 17.07.1917
Place of Birth:: Hitchen, Hereford, England
Father's Name:: Fred Ernest Lloyd Knott
Mothers's Name:: Mabel Dithkey Knott
Religion:: Church of England
Pre-war Occupation:: Well Sinker
Singapore:: Selarang Camp Changi
Force:: 'A' Force Burma, Green Force, No. 3 Battalion
Camps Thailand:: Non Pladuk
Camps Japan:: Fukuoka sub-Camp No. 17, Omuta
POW#:: 2899, 1598
Japan:: Awa Maru Party, Kumi No. 41
Return Details 1945:: Nagasaki-Manila , USS Lunga Point, Manila-Moratai-Darwin, PBY Catalina aircraft A24-377, Darwin-Perth, B24 Liberator aircraft A72-379.

General Description

Claude Knott was a Fairbridge Farm boy. He arrived Western Australia from London on the ‘Beltana’ on 3/10/1928 in a group of 52 children. Claude was 11 years old. He was placed in Henry Hudson House.

Claude Knott was working in 1935 and 1936 for J. Renfree & Sons, Boyanup. He visited and stayed at Fairbridge during March and April 1936. According to social notes recorded in the magazine “The Fairbridgian” Claude was an entertainer! Walking upside down on his hands.

Harry Scaddan from Fairbridge, was also working at Boyanup.

In 1938 Claude married Ellen Bertha Harris. They had four children. Claude and Ellen lived in Ray St, Boyanup.

Claude Knott, Don Ross and Harry Bunker were in No. 6 Platoon, ‘A’ Company.

Former Fairbridge Kids in No. 6 Platoon included Knott and Maude; Reinforcements included Harry Lucas and Reg Pascall.

Don Ross WX9253 died Sandakan. He was married to Harry Bunker’s sister Ada.

Knott, Ross, Bunker enlisted 30 Oct 1940 into ‘A’ Coy. Charles Harris enlisted 13 Aug 1940 and Harry Delaporte enlisted 10 Aug 1940 in to ‘A’ Coy.

Delaporte was on Rakuyo Maru as was Harry Bunker. Only Bunker survived. Ross perished Sandakan 23 May 1945 and Harris died 27 May 1945.

Believed to 1946 & 1947 Anzac Day.

Claude Knott, Eddy Kemp, thought to be Harry Bunker & Unknown.

Claude’s wife Ellen Harris is sister to Charles Henry Harris WX7851 who perished Sandakan May 1945. Ellen’s sister Myrtle May Harris married Harry Thomas Delaporte WX8011 who lost his life with the Rakuyo Maru sinking in the South China Sea September 1944.

Claude Knott died 14 March 1982. Ellen Knott died Boyanup 1999. Both Claude and Ellen are buried at the Boyanup Cemetery.

Claude was selected from Selarang to work on Thai-Burma Railway with ‘A’ Force Burma, Green Force No. 3 Battalion, POW No. 2899.

‘A ‘Force sailed from Singapore heading to Burma. Claude was at following camps.

Victoria Point 23 May 42 to 13 Aug 42.

Tavoy 15 Aug 42 to 23 Oct 42.

Camps in Burma (including 105 K Camp) 25 Oct 42 – 26 Mar 44 to Non Pladuk.

Non Pladuk – 6 Apr 1944 – selected for Japan, POW No. 1598 Awa Maru Party.

Saigon 6 Apr 44 to 30 Jun 44 to Phom Penh (Transported to Saigon to sail to Japan – due to Allied blockade, returned by train to Singapore).

Singapore 11.7.44 to 16.12.44 (probably accommodated River Valley Road transit camp).

The Soldier's Details

General Description

Claude Knott was a Fairbridge Farm boy. He arrived Western Australia from London on the ‘Beltana’ on 3/10/1928 in a group of 52 children. Claude was 11 years old. He was placed in Henry Hudson House.

Claude Knott was working in 1935 and 1936 for J. Renfree & Sons, Boyanup. He visited and stayed at Fairbridge during March and April 1936. According to social notes recorded in the magazine “The Fairbridgian” Claude was an entertainer! Walking upside down on his hands.

In 1938 Claude married Ellen Bertha Harris. They had four children. Claude and Ellen lived in Ray St, Boyanup.

Claude Knott, Don Ross and Harry Bunker were in No. 6 Platoon, ‘A’ Company.

Former Fairbridge Kids in No. 6 Platoon included Knott and Maude; Reinforcements included Harry Lucas and Reg Pascall.

Don Ross WX9253 died Sandakan. He was married to Harry Bunker’s sister Ada.

Knott, Ross, Bunker enlisted 30 Oct 1940 into ‘A’ Coy. Charles Harris enlisted 13 Aug 1940 and Harry Delaporte enlisted 10 Aug 1940 in to ‘A’ Coy.

Delaporte was on Rakuyo Maru as was Harry Bunker. Only Bunker survived. Ross perished Sandakan 23 May 1945 and Harris died 27 May 1945.

Believed to 1946 & 1947 Anzac Day.

Claude Knott, Eddy Kemp, thought to be Harry Bunker & Unknown.

Claude’s wife Ellen Harris is sister to Charles Henry Harris WX7851 who perished Sandakan May 1945. Ellen’s sister Myrtle May Harris married Harry Thomas Delaporte WX8011 who lost his life with the Rakuyo Maru sinking in the South China Sea September 1944.

Claude Knott died 14 March 1982. Ellen Knott died Boyanup 1999. Both Claude and Ellen are buried at the Boyanup Cemetery.

Claude was selected from Selarang to work on Thai-Burma Railway with ‘A’ Force Burma, Green Force No. 3 Battalion, POW No. 2899.

‘A ‘Force sailed from Singapore heading to Burma. Claude was at following camps.

Victoria Point 23 May 42 to 13 Aug 42.

Tavoy 15 Aug 42 to 23 Oct 42.

Camps in Burma (including 105 K Camp) 25 Oct 42 – 26 Mar 44 to Non Pladuk.

Non Pladuk – 6 Apr 1944 – selected for Japan, POW No. 1598 Awa Maru Party.

Saigon 6 Apr 44 to 30 Jun 44 to Phom Penh (Transported to Saigon to sail to Japan – due to Allied blockade, returned by train to Singapore).

Singapore 11.7.44 to 16.12.44 (probably accommodated River Valley Road transit camp).

26 Dec 1944 Departed Singapore for Moji, Japan Awa Maru Kumi No. 41.

Worked Fukuoka No. 17 Coal Mine Omuta.

At end of war recovered from Omuta sent to Nagasaki.

Nagasaki-Manila USS Lunga Point Aircraft carrier.

7 Oct 1945 Manila-Morotai-Darwin PBY Catalina aircraft A24-377.

Darwin-Perth B24 Liberator A72-379.

Admitted 110 (P) MH 11 Oct 1945.

Camp Locations: