The Soldier's Details
- Surname:
- Sandilands
- First Name:
- Richard Henry
- Nick Name:
- Dick
- Rank:
- Sergeant
- Regimental #:
- WX8809
- Company:
- ‘B' Company, Platoon 8.
- Enlisted:
- 23.10.1940
- DOB:
- 24.06.1913
- Place of Birth:
- Perth, Western Australia
- Father's Name:
- Not Known
- Mothers's Name:
- Not Known
- Religion:
- Church of England
- Pre-war Occupation:
- Miner
- Memorial:
- Epitaph, Singapore Memorial, Column 135, Age 28.
- Cause of Death:
- Killed in Action
- Place of Death:
- West Mandai Road
- Date of Death:
- 11.02.1942
General Description
Sandilands enlisted AIF October 1940, later he joined 2/4th MGB’s ‘B’ Coy, 8 Platoon. He was Platoon Sergeant under command of Lt MacKinnon.
Sandilands was wounded during the withdrawal action on West Mandai Road. He was paralysed from the waist down.
Please go to story of ‘Jocka’ Skelton to read details of Platoon 8’s actions during the battle for Singapore. Dick Sandilands was Sgt. with Platoon 8 and Second-in-Command after MacKinnon. Tragically Richard Sandiland’s death was one of several from Platoon 8. On that day Raymond Carruthers, Don Day and Ronald Smith also lost their lives.
Please read 2021 Fall of Singapore Service
Twenty two of the fifty men from Platoon 8 would not return home. Please read abouyt 8 Platoon.
Sgt Richard Henry “Dick” Sandilands (WX8809) by Ron Badock
Dick Sandilands was the 8 Platoon Sergeant and well regarded by all the men. At Mandai on 11/2/1942 he was shot in the back and paralysed from the waist down. Without any chance of survival or retreat he faced the enemy with his revolver to a certain death.
