The Soldier's Details
- Surname:
- Wilkie
- First Name:
- James
- Nick Name:
- Scotty
- Rank:
- Private
- Regimental #:
- WX8706
- Company:
- Headquarters Company No. 2 Platoon Anti-Aircraft
- Enlisted:
- 23.10.1940
- DOB:
- 27.07.1908
- Place of Birth:
- Fowlis Wester, Perthshire, Scotland
- Father's Name:
- Andrew Wilkie
- Mothers's Name:
- Mary Anne Wilkie
- Religion:
- Presbyterian
- Pre-war Occupation:
- Plantation Owner
- Memorial:
- Epitaph, Labuan Memorial, Panel 19, Age 36.
- Singapore:
- Selarang Camp and Barracks Changi
- Force:
- 'E' Force Borneo
- POW#:
- 1/1238 & 1962
- Cause of Death:
- Malaria
- Place of Death:
- Sandakan No1 Camp
- Date of Death:
- 17.05.1945
General Description
Above: Jimmy/Scotty, Dick Blaschek, Jimmy Wilkie and Bill Struthers (not included in photograph) enlisted AIF same day 23 Oct 1940. All joined 2/4th MGB’s HQ Company’s various platoons.
Blaschek was Stretcher Bearer, Jimmy Hall was Stretcher Bearer/Driver, Bill Struthers was Driver. Wilkie joined HQ Coy No 2 Platoon – unfortunately he joined the ill fated ‘E’ Force Borneo sailing from Singapore. He was one of 71 men from 2/4th to lose his young life at the age of 36 years, 17 May 1945 at Sandakan, Borneo in the most appalling and horrifying circumstances.
Please read the story of ‘E’ Force Borneo
Wilkie enlisted AIF 23 Oct 1940 later joining 2/4th MGB’s Headquarters Company No. 2 Platoon Anti-Aircraft under Commanding Officer Lt Royce.
‘WA. Paybook photograph, taken on enlistment, of WX8706 Private James Wilkie, 2/4th Machine Gun Battalion, Australian Infantry. He was one of over 2000 Allied prisoners of war (POW) held in the Sandakan POW camp in north Borneo, having been transferred there from Singapore as a part of E Force. The 500 Australian and 500 British POW’s who made up E Force, left Changi on 28 March 1943, on board the S.S. DeKlerk arriving at Berhala Island (adjacent to Sandakan Harbour) on 15 April 1943. The POW’s were held there until 5 June, when they were taken by barge to Sandakan. The next day they were transferred to the 8 Mile Camp, which was about half a mile from the B Force compound. Private Wilkie, aged 36, died as a prisoner of the Japanese on 17 May 1945. He was the son of Andrew and Mary Ann Wilkie, of Longforgan, Perthshire, Scotland. He is commemorated on the Labuan Memorial Panel 19. (Photograph copied from AWM232, items 4 and 5. Personal information from the Commonwealth War Graves Commission Database.)’
Please read about ‘E’ Force Borneo.
He
Please read about Mates Bill Struthers, Jimmy Hall and Dick Blaschek
James Wilkie recorded Andrew Wilkie his father, as his NOK.
We believe Wilkie arrived at Fremantle 3 July 1928 on ‘Maloja’ from London, England. He worked as a labourer Manjimup 1934 and 1936. In 1937 he was recorded at Gascoyne River Loc. 179 Carnarvon, Tropical Grower.
In 1943 Electoral Roll, that is last known address prior to enlistment, Jimmy was a miner working at Norseman. He gave his address as Mitchells, Princep Street. Mitchells would have been either a hotel or boarding house.
His parents Andrew Wilkie was a park keeper and Mary Ann Doyle married 2 Aug 1989 Govan, Lanarkshire, Scotland. They had two sons James and his brother Henry John Wilkie born 1907 and three daughters – Annie, Elizabeth and Mary Ann.
His father Andrew Wilkie was born 1876, Auchterarder, Perthshire, Scotland. He died 28 Feb 1947, Longforgan, Perthshire, Scotland aged 71 years and would have learnt of his son’s death late 1945.
Mary Ann (nee Doyle) was born about 1878. She died 23 Apr 1914 Lochee, Dundee, Perth, Scotland aged 36 years.
When Andrew Wilkie enlisted 1916 to join Highland RFA (Royal Field Artillery) Reservist at 39 years of age, his records show Jane Ann (Kinnear) as his wife. His service No. was 157239 Gunner. James would have been about 12 years old.
Andrew Wilkie’s signed document confirming he would not be eligible for a Pension. He was discharged Feb 1919.
Should any ancestors of James Wilkie read this, we would be most grateful to hear from you.
Camp Locations:
- Selarang Barracks Changi - Singapore
- Selarang Camp Changi - Singapore
- Sandakan - Borneo ***
- Lintang Officers Camp, Kuching - Sarawak