The Soldier's Details
- Surname:
- Ricketts
- First Name:
- Ernest
- Nick Name:
- Ern
- Rank:
- Private
- Regimental #:
- WX6799
- Company:
- ‘C’ Company, No. 10 Platoon
- Enlisted:
- 20.07.1940
- Discharged:
- 1.05.1946
- DOB:
- 3.03.1904
- Place of Birth:
- Shardlow, Derby, England
- Father's Name:
- Frederick Ricketts
- Mothers's Name:
- Clara Ellen Ricketts
- Religion:
- Church of England
- Pre-war Occupation:
- Labourer
- Singapore:
- Selarang Camp Changi
- Force:
- ‘A’ Force Burma, Green Force No. 3 Battalion
- Camps Thailand:
- Tamarkan, Non Pladuk, Petchaburi, Kachu Mountain Camp, Bangkok
- Camps Burma:
- Victoria Point, Tavoy, Kendau, Thetkaw, Meliloe, Aungganaung 105km, Khonkan 55km (July 1943)
- POW#:
- 2908
- Return Details 1945:
- Bangkok-Rangoon by aircraft; Rangoon-Singapore, HMT Highland Brigade; Singapore-Fremantle, H.M. Hospital Ship Karoa
General Description
Ern Ricketts enlisted AIF July 1940, later joining 2/4th MGB’s 10 ‘C’ Coy 10 Platoon under CO Lt Wilson. Ern was previously with 10th Light Horse Militia.
As a POW in Singapore he left with the first Work Party – ‘A’ Force Burma, Green Force No. 3 Battalion to work on the Burma end of the Rail link.
Please read further about Green Force No. 3 Battalion
Ricketts was recorded at following Camps, plus other ‘A’ Force Camps.
RAP Meiloe Camp 75km 30 March 1943
Evacuated to Khonkan Hospital Camp 55km 4 Jul 1943.
From Tamarkan he was sent to Non Pladuk, then with work party to Petchaburi then Kachu Mountain Camp. He was recovered here when the war ended and sent to Bangkok. He flew out of Bangkok to Rangoon, Burma.
He returned to Singapore by HMT Highland Brigade. From Singapore to Fremantle with HM Hospital ship Karoa.
Ern had married 1937 to Gladys R A Williams.
Rear L-R Kev Moir, Clarrie Henderson (10 Ptn), Fred Webb
Front Taffy Jones (10 Ptn), Cyril Anderson, Jock Leith, Chris McLennan, Les Marriot (10 Ptn), Ern Ricketts (10 Ptn), Paddy Byrne, S Morris, Bert Fidge.
Kneeling Harry Norris
Back L-R: Jimmy Quinn, Les Marriott, Johhny Clare, Clarrie Henderson, Ralph Hadfield.
Front L-R: Don Maning, Wenn, Ern Ricketts.
Born to Clara Ellen and Frederick Ricketts in 1904 Shardlow, Derbyshire Ern was baptised at St Laurance, Long Eaton, Derbyshire.
He arrived in Fremantle in November 1922 on board ‘Largs Bay’ aged about 18 years, his occupation was recorded as ‘farm lad’. In 1911 Census he was recorded living with Aunt and Uncle (Burton) as a 7 year old student.
Note the information included at the bottom of this newspaper item-advising prospective employers.
Ernest Ricketts married about 1937 to Gladys Roberta Alice Williams who had a son Leslie Kenneth Williams.
The above notice was placed in newspaper in April 1942. Gladys Ricketts greatly concerned for the welfare of her husband.
In 1958 the couple were residing at Waroona and remained living here. Ern was involved with the RSL. The couple had no further children.
For Anzac Day 1948.
The above was included in the South Western
Advertiser, March 1958.
During his life in Waroona, Ern worked tirelessly for the RSL.
Ernest Ricketts died 17 December 1967 and was buried at Waroona Cemetery. Gladys died 1990 aged 90 years.
Camp Locations:
- Selarang Camp Changi - Singapore
- Non Pladuk, 0k - Thailand
- Petchaburi - Thailand
- Tamarkan, Tha Makham 56k - Thailand
- Aungganaung,105Kilo - Burma
- Kendau, Kandaw, 4 Kilo - Burma
- Khonkan, 55Kilo Hospital 360k - Burma
- Meilo, 75 Kilo, 340k - Burma
- Tavoy (Dawei) - river port - Burma
- Kachau Mountain Camp - Thailand
- Bangkok - Thailand
- Victoria Point, Kawthoung - Burma. \'A\' Force, Green Force No. 3 Btn
- Thetkaw 14 Kilo - Burma
