The Soldier's Details

Joe Sumner departed London 27th November 1920 on the ‘Orsova’ to sail to Fremantle.  He was 20 years old and his occupation was recorded as farmhand.

Joe’s parents James Sumner and Margaret Ann Davison married Bolton, Lancashire August 1897.  According to 1911 Census, the family resided at Preston, Bolton, Lancashire.  James Sumner’s occupation was recorded as letterpress printer.  At that time Joseph was one of two sons.

It is believed his father James Sumner died in 1944 England and his mother 1964.

Throughout 1930s until he enlisted Joe worked at ‘Penworthan’, Northam as a labourer and shearer.   He enlisted into the AIF October 1940 aged 39 years and later joined ‘C’ Company Headquarters as a Cook under C.O. Colin Cameron.

He was selected to work on Burma-Thai Railway with ‘D’ Force Thailand S Battalion.  Please read further about this Force.

When the war ended, Joe was recovered from Nacompaton.  Flown from Bangkok to Singapore where he was admitted to 2/14th Australian General Hospital.  He later returned to WA on HM Hospital ship ‘Karoa’

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After the war and in 1946 Joe married Anne King.  They resided at Bay Street, Kwinana throughout from 1949 to at least 1958. In 1968 and 1972 they are residing Lot 302 Mandurah Road, Rockingham.

Joe died 24 December 1974 at Hollywood Hospital aged 74 years.  He was buried at East Rockingham Cemetery.  His wife Anne died in 1995.

Joe Sumner’s death was recorded in the ‘Barb Wire & Bamboo’ magazine of February 1974.