The Soldier's Details
- Surname:
- Pascoe
- First Name:
- Thomas Anthony
- Nick Name:
- Tom
- Rank:
- Private
- Regimental #:
- WX7409
- Classification:
- Driver
- Company:
- ‘D’ Company, 12 Platoon
- Enlisted:
- 6.08.1940
- Discharged:
- 6.06.1945
- DOB:
- 11.09.1911
- Place of Birth:
- Cornwall, England
- Father's Name:
- Thomas Pascoe
- Mothers's Name:
- Elizabeth Woods Pascoe
- Religion:
- Methodist
- Pre-war Occupation:
- Shop Assistant
- Singapore:
- Selarang Camp Changi, River Valley Road Transit Camp
- Force:
- ‘A’ Force Burma, Green Force No. 3 Battalion
- Camps Thailand:
- Tamarkan
- Camps Burma:
- Victoria Point, Kendau 4.8km, Thetkaw 14km, Meiloe 75 km, Aungganaung 105 km
- POW#:
- 1533
- Japan:
- Rakuyo Maru Party, Kumi No. 35 (rescued by USS Pampanito)
- Return Details 1945:
- Saipan‐Guadalcanal‐Brisbane-Perth 1.11.1944. Disembarked USS Monbadnock Brisbane 18-10-44. Emplaned Brisbane to Perth.
General Description
Read the story Members of 2/4th nominated for Medal but not awarded.
And the story Surviving the Sinking of the Rakuyo Maru written by Roy Cornford NX44955 of the 2/19th Battalion, courtesy of Peter Winstanley.
Driver, Tom Pascoe miraculously survived four days in the ocean after the sinking of his transport ship ‘Rakuyo’ Maru, and was picked up by the US submarine ‘Pampanito’.
Those moments would remain forever in the POWs minds!
You may wish to read this website Submarine Sailor
Please read about others from 2/4th who were rescued.
Tom enlisted AIF August 1940 and later joined 2/4th’s ‘D’ Company 13 Platoon under CO Lt Wankey as a Driver.
Please read further about this Platoon and Company.
Below: Now released Australian Navy Secret Document, November 1944
Tom’s parents Thomas Pascoe (Snr) and Elizabeth Woods Tregembo married Cornwall in 1907. Tom was one of three sons and two daughters. His brothers Francis and John, and sisters Gwendoline and Ada.
The Pascoe family sailed from Plymouth for Albany on Themistocles 1923. They took up Group Settlement land near Denmark, Carmarthen No. 116. (Note the age of John Quick and Thomas Pascoe (Snr) are incorrectly recorded)
Tom’s father died unexpectedly at Denmark in 1935.
Below: Sister Gwendolyn has a lucky find.
Below: Tom’s brother John Quick (known as Jack) Pascoe is engaged.
On his return to Wa, Tom appears to have resided in the Metropolitan area rather than return to Denmark. He was residing 1949 James Street, Perth, In 1954 and 1963 Tom as living at Bentley Park working as a millhand.
Below: Tom’s mother makes a return visit to Cornwall.
Tom married 1957 to June Alison Margaret Douglas. They reside East Victoria Park throughout the years 1963 until Tom’s death in 1973 aged 65 years. He was cremated at Karrakatta.
It is not known if they had a family.
Tom’s mother died in 1961. Both she and Tom’s father are buried at Denmark cemetery.
Camp Locations:
- River Valley Road Camp - Singapore
- Selarang Camp Changi - Singapore
- Tamarkan, Tha Makham 56k - Thailand
- Aungganaung,105Kilo - Burma
- Kendau, Kandaw, 4 Kilo - Burma
- Meilo, 75 Kilo, 340k - Burma
- Saigon - French Indo China
- Victoria Point, Kawthoung - Burma. \'A\' Force, Green Force No. 3 Btn
- Thetkaw 14 Kilo - Burma
