The Soldier's Details
- Surname:
- Meredith
- First Name:
- Joshua William
- Rank:
- Private
- Regimental #:
- WX8319
- Company:
- 'C' Company
- Enlisted:
- 20.08.1940
- Discharged:
- 10.01.1946
- DOB:
- 21.10.1917
- Place of Birth:
- Fremantle, Westrn Australia
- Father's Name:
- John Thomas Meredith
- Mothers's Name:
- Euphemia Mary Meredith
- Religion:
- Church of England
- Pre-war Occupation:
- Miner
- Singapore:
- Selarang Camp Changi, Johore Bahru, Adam Park, Selarang Barracks Changi, Pulau Blakang Mati, Changi Gaol Camp.
- Return Details 1945:
- Singapore-Darwin-Sydney, HMT Arawa, Sydney-Melbourne by troop train, R.A.A.F. Laverton (Victoria)-Perth, B24 Liberator aircraft.
General Description
Joshua Meredith enlisted 1940 spelling his surname with one ‘r’ as in Meredith. However our reseacrh finds the family surname has 2 X rr’s as in MERREDITH.
Meredith enlisted August 1940 and later joined 2/4th’s ‘C’ Coy, Platoon 12.
Meredith was AWOL at Fremantle when 2/4th departed Northam to sail to SA to train Woodside and NT. He landed himself in gaol at Fremantle and was sent to his Unit in Woodside.
He was amongst the several hundred men of 2/4th who went AWOL at Fremantle when ‘Aquitania’ anchored overnight on 15 Jan 1942 to head to Singapore. He was fortunate to find transport back to the ship before it sailed next day – about 100 men were unable to and were sent to Java where they were taken POW.
He was recovered from Changi when the war ended.
It was said of Meredith ‘he was a bit of a scallywag’.
He was caught outside the wire by Jap guard with Nybo and Swartz at Adam Park. Please read details.
___________
Josh was one of four childtren born to his parents John Thomas and Euphemia May Merredith. The Merredith family resided in Fremantle.
Joshua’s moth Euphemia died in 1920 aged 48 years.
In 1940 Joshua married Gertrude Matthews of East Victoria Park.
His father died in 1942 aged 63 years.
In Aug 1942, Gertrude’s mother died aged 52 years.
August 1941, Joshua becomes a father. He would not learn about his son until after the end of the war. (Unless he was fortunate enough to receive mail whilst at Changi).
Unfortunately we are unable to find any further information about Joshua, including his death,
Camp Locations:
- Changi Gaol Camp - Singapore
- Johore Bahru, - Malaysia
- Pulau Blakang Mat - Singapore ***
- Selarang Barracks Changi - Singapore
- Selarang Camp Changi - Singapore
