2/4th MGB’s ‘B’ Company, 8 Platoon
20 of the 50 men would not return home to Australia
Many of these men were from Goldfields.
Commanding Officer: WX3707 Lt. G.C. MacKinnon
Platoon Sergeant: 2 I/C WX8809 Sgt R H Sandilands – KIA Mandai Road 11 Feb 1942 (below)
Tragically 2 I/C Sgt Richard (Dick) Sandiland’s death was one of several from Platoon 8 who on 11 Feb 1942 lost their lives while retreating from West Mandai Road. Raymond Carruthers, Don Day and Ronald Smith also lost their lives.
Please go to story of ‘Jocka’ Skelton to read details of Platoon 8’s actions during the battle for Singapore.
CAPTAIN BOOTH’S REPORT
(This report by Captain E.H, Booth 2/30th Battalion AIF was handed to Major Charles Green 2/4th MGB. Item donated by daughter of Charles Green, Mrs Brand.)
The following is a copy of a communication received from Capt. E.H. Booth, Commander of ‘D’ Company 2/30th Battalion addressed to Major Charles Green 2/4th Machine Gun Battalion:
Following are the details of the engagement of my Company with the enemy on 12th February 1942 in which Lieutenant G. MacKinnon who was attached with his Platoon and four guns displayed outstanding courage and devotion to duty and in my opinion deserve some sort of recognition for this.
On the morning 11th February 1942 the 2/30th Battalion withdrew under orders from the Causeway sector to the vicinity of Mandai’s crossroads and occupied a new defensive position with companies disposed from crossroads to the Singapore-Malaya pipeline astride the road. ‘D’ Company position was such that it was responsible for protection of the right flank of 2/30th Battalion and as the most likely method of enemy approach appeared to be along the pipeline the Company was disposed along this and on the forward slopes of the high ground just north of Mandai Road at this point.
Lt. MacKinnon’s platoon with 4 medium machine guns at this stage came under the command of ‘D’ Coy 2/30th and the co-operation, intelligence and energy of MacKinnon and his men was noticeable from the start. MacKinnon himself made many reconnaissance missions in order to find the best possible gun positions for the tasks I gave him and throughout the whole day of the 11th February he spent his time improving the general fire plan of my position. After reconnaissance patrols at night and a fighting patrol at dawn made contact with the enemy north and along the pipeline at 0910 hours 12th February he launched a heavy attack in the general direction south along Sungei Mandai and on ‘D’ Company’s position.
This at this time 2/30th Battalion were in the process of carrying out an orderly withdrawal (not in close contact) with the object of counter attacking Bukit Panjang further south. ‘D’ Company automatically became a vanguard for the Battalion and much depended on the time we could hold off the enemy attack. MacKinnon had to bring his guns back from the trucks at great speed and under fire. These guns were remounted and maintained in action despite heavy fire and some casualties for nearly two hours for which period the position was held. MacKinnon himself proved fearless under fire, personally directing the fire of the guns on many occasions.
When an Indian Regiment on our right flank was known to have withdrawn east along Mandai Road I decided to withdraw and it was not until every man of my company was successfully out of the position that MacKinnon brought his guns out. He did everything possible to save these guns but by the time they were loaded on his truck and his Platoon Sergeant (Sgt WX8809 Richard Sandilands) had been killed during the process he was about completely surrounded by the enemy and I consider he did the only thing possible when he had to finally abandon them after attempting to destroy both truck and guns in the face of enemy fire.
The final withdrawal of his men across Bukit Mandai whilst under exceptionally heavy fire was also a tribute to the courage and outstanding leadership of Lt. MacKinnon.
———-
Report by WX7777 Corporal Arthur Draper – handed to Major Charles Green. This item was donated by his daughter Mrs Barbara Brand to Murray Ewen).
Last Friday I went out on a party under command of Captain E.H. Booth 2/30th Battalion. We buried the remains of some of the unknown and on a cross placed a small in memory of the 2/30th and the 2/4th killed in that action. Unfortunately time was limited but I was able to have a look around. There was no trace of Dick Sandilands or Donald (Do-Dah) Day. As luck would have it the man who beside WX8736 Bob (Blucher) Smith when he was killed was in the party. He took me to the spot and body had been buried or rather earth covered over where he fell. He was the only man killed in that area and a mess tin of the old pattern like ours was alongside the mound. I am quite convinced that it was Bob’s without a doubt. Back at the hill where Ray Carruthers was last seen the remains of two men were found about 300 to 400 yards up from the road. A helmet covered with hession and bearing Gilbert Japp’s name and Regimental number was alongside. Also there was a haversack bearing Laurie McGrath’s name and Regimental number nearby. (McGrath returned to Australia sick January 1942). It may have been Carruthers but if so he had a varied collection of gear and it is an almost hopeless task trying to identify any of the remains. Sorry I could not find out anything definite.
Sergeants:
WX9336 Cpl John Gorringe – F ForceThailand. Recovered from Singapore at the end of war.
Gorringe was admitted AGH with malaria 16 Feb 42 and discharged to unit on 9 March 42. Sgt Gorringe for nearly two years was the most senior 2/4th NCO at Changi and well as the excellent work he did there, he was also placed in charge of cookhouse.
WX4991 L/Sgt Ernst Edgar Hambley – ‘F’ Force Thailand. Recovered from Singapore.
Corporals:
WX7777 Cpl Arthur M Draper – ‘J’ Force Japan. Wales Maru Party to Kobe. Recovered from Japan.
WX10095 Cpl John Frederick Helsin – perished from ‘Rakuyo’ Maru sinking12 Sept 1944 South China Sea. John Helsin was an only son to John Helsin (Snr) who died in WW1.
WX10802 Cpl Noel James Outrim – died illness 22 Nov 1944 Kinsaiyok Camp, Burma-Thai Railway, Thailand. Tragically Noel died at Kinsaiyok Camp exactly one month later on 22 October 1944. Noel’s name is included on the Mundaring WWII Memorial, along with Arnold Vivian Cousins and Alex A.J. Colquhoun. Please read further.
Below: John Helsin and Noel Outtrim
PRIVATES:
WX7370 Charles William Armstrong – ‘D’ Force Thailand S Battalion. ‘Rashin’ Maru to Japan. Recovered from Niihama, Japan.
WX8279 Ron C Badock – (Capt Harris Party). Both Party. Recovered from French Indo-China.
WX8766 L/Cpl Harold Vernon Booth – died illness Sumatran Railway 15 Apr 1945. Please read further about Sumatran Railway.
WX7333 Arthur John Burns – disembarked Java 13 Feb 42. Was evacuated sick to AGH Ceylon.
WX7316 Copeland Jamers (Jim) Burns – ‘D’ Force Thailand S Battalion . Recovered from Thailand.
WX15690 John Murray Carr – ‘D’ Force Thailand S Battalion. Died illness 23 Jul 1943 Tarsau Hospital Camp, Burma-Thai Railway, Thailand aged 28 years.
WX2325 Raymond Francis Carruthers – KIA near Mandai Road 11 Feb 1942 with Sandilands, Don Day and Rob Smith.
WX8792 Wilfred Thomas (Bill) Castles Cpl, Scout – ‘A’ Force Burma Green Force No. 3 Battalion. Recovered from Thailand.
WX16369 Alfred John Cocking – disembarked Java. Java Party No. 4, Williams Force. Rescued from South China Seas following sinking of ‘Rakuyo’ Maru sinking Sept 1944.
WX7268 Frededrick Victor Cross – ‘A’ Force Burma, Green Force No. 3 Battalion. Rescued from South China Seas following sinking of transport ship ‘Rakuyo’ Maru Sept 1944.
WX8735 John Goode Curtin – ‘D’ Force Thailand, Captain Harris Party. Both Party. Recovered French Indo China.
WX8778 Louis Joseph (Lou) Daily – ‘D’ Force Thailand S Battalion. Rashin Maru to Japan. Recovered Niihama Japan.
WX7240 Donald Alexander (known as Do-Dah) Day – KIA 11 Feb 1942 West Mandai Road with Sandilands, Carruthers and Rob Smith.
WX7236 Charles Henry Dunn – died Sandakan, Borneo 21 May 1945.
WX7266 George Henry Edwards – died Sandakan, Borneo 23 Mar 1945
Below: Charlie Dunn and George Edwards
WX10803 Thomas Rantoul Fotheringham – died Sandakan-Ranau Track, Borneo 7 June 1945. Below: Tom Fotheringham was mate to Tommy Lewis and regular visitor to the Lewis family home. Tom was also mate of Wheelock. Tom Fotheringham came to WA as a two year old from England with his parents who first settled as Group Settlers in WA’s south west.
WX10378 Charles William (Bill) Gray – Japan ‘B’ Party to Korea. Recovered Korea.
WX8739 Thomas King Jenkins – ‘D’ Force Thailand, S Battalion. Recovered from Thailand.
WX9139 Lloyd F Hadden (Capt Harris Party). Recovered from Thailand.
WX10370 Douglas Charles John Hall – died illness 21 May 1944 Roberts Barracks Hospital, Singapore having returned with ‘H’ Force from Burma-Thai Railway. (Photo below)
WX8747 William Harrison Hall (known as Nobby) – died 17 Jul 1943 with ‘H’ Force at Kanu II – Malayan Hamlet, Thailand. Nobby was 42 years old when he died of beri beri, cerebral malaria and cholera. His body was not cremated and after the war moved to rest at Kanchanaburi War Cemetery. He is one of 91 men from the 2/4th. Please read further.
Below: Doug Hall and Welsh born Right William Harrison (Nobby) Hall
WX8756 L/Cpl J Hill – died illness 11 Mar 1943 Changi, Singapore. Below: John Hill. His original headstone from Singapore was brought back to Australia by his mates and is now with AWM.
WX8813 L/Cpl T M Jackson – was recovered from French Indo-China.
WX8370 T (Tom) K Jenkins – D Force Thailand S Battalion. Recovered from Thailand.
WX7230 Leslie Herbert Lee – disembarked Java. Java Party 4 to Singapore – joined Java Party 5a, Robertson Force. Recovered from Thailand.
WX8689 L/Cpl H C S MacMaster – with ‘D’ Force Thailand S Battalion, died beri beri Tarsau Camp, Thailand. Below: Scots born Hector MacMaster from Kalgoorlie who delighted the boys playing his bagpipes.
WX6173 Owen Morris – ‘D’ Force Thailand, S Battalion. Recovered from Thailand.
WX7181 Charles (Chas) Mutton – left Singapore with ‘A’ Force Burma, Green Force No. 3 Battalion to work at Burma end of Burma-Thai railway. He survived and was selected fit by Japanese to work in Japan. He perished when ‘Rakuyo’ Maru sank 12 Sep 1944 South China Sea.
WX5220 Harold Frederick Neilson – Remained Singapore initially suffering illnesses. Recovered from Singapore.
WX7331 Claude William Robertson – ‘D’ Force Thailand S Battalion. Recovered Thailand.
WX10164 Douglas Norman Russell (known as Rusty) – left Singapore with ‘A’ Force Burma Green Force No. 3 Battalion to work on the Burma end of the Railway. He died aged 28 years of cerebral malaria on 21 Jan 1944 Augganaung 105 Camp Hospital, Burma-Thai Railway, Burma. Russell was a former Scotch College Student. He was working as a bank clerk when he enlisted.
WX8734 Cornelius (Con) Ryan – Rangetaker. ‘D’ Force Thailand S Battalion. Recovered from Thailand.
WX6682 J B ‘Jocka’ Skelton went to Burma Thai Railway with ‘D’ Force S Battalion.
Below: Tragically larrikin Jocka drowned in a boating accident off Rottnest in 1956 aged 40 years leaving his widowed wife to look after two young children. He was a SP Bookmaker and was known for telling entertaining stories of his Fremantle days to POWs in Singapore and Burma-Thai Railway. He also ran betting races for the POWs – flies or ants or anything that crawled!
WX8736 Sgt Robert Leighton Smith (known as Bob/Blucher and Spud to his family). He enlisted from Grass Patch with his mate Tom Starcevich who won a VC. KIA Mandai Road Hill 11 Feb1942 with Sandilands, Carruthers and Don Day. Brother to Tom Smith below.
Bob’s brother Tom, was also in 8th Platoon. Younger brother Tom went with ‘E’ Force to Borneo, died of Pulmonary Tuberculosis and Beri-Beri December 1944 aged 32 years.
Parents Thomas William Smith born 1874 Victoria married 1904 Bendigo to Sarah Jane Leighton who was born 1885 Victorian goldfields. Tom and Sarah moved to Norseman where their seven children were born, one daughter and six sons. Another three sons enlisted:
James Henry born 1914 WX13475 – also 2/28th survived the same crossing September 1943 at Busu River by being pulled across by a mate who was a stronger swimmer. He RTA.
Leonard Richard born 1916 WX26648 – Enlisted Dandarragin, also with 2/28th survived the war and RTA.
Edward John (Ted) born 1918 – WX11520 2/28th Battalion, died 9 September 1943, Busu River, New Guinea. Ted was one of 13 soldiers ‘missing’ at the Busu River crossing. Being a Goldfield’s boy he was unable to swim and was swept away. His body was never found.
Bob’s father Thomas William died 20 March 1920 at Wooroloo aged 46 years. There was a Sanatorium at Coolgardie for TB Patients however it closed about this time and patients with silicosis were relocated to Wooroloo. The Coolgardie Sanatorium had been the first in Western Australia to treat TB Patients.
WX8731 Thomas Ernest Smith – died illness 18 Dec 1944 Sandakan. Below: Thomas Ernest Smith known as Tom to his family and Jerry to the Battalion (i.e. Tom and Jerry)
Please read further story of the Smith family and Tom’s mother Sarah for a more detailed history of this family.
WX8776 Leo Patrick Walsh – ‘A’ Force Burma, Green ForceNo. 3 Battalion. Pelrished when Rakuyo Maru was torpedoed in South China Sea Sept 1944. Aged 36 years.
WX8753 Jack Logan Wheelock – Capt Fred Harris Party. Both Party. Recovered from French Indo China.
Reinforcements: (Joined 2/4th on board ‘Aquitania’ Gage Roads, Fremantle, 15 February 1942)
WX14634 William George Harvey Anderson – ‘A’ Force Burma, Green Force No. 3 Battalion. Awa Maru Party, Recovered from Omuta Camp, Japan.
WX17997 Hubert Mervyn Holland– Batman/Runner. Japan ‘B’ Party to Korea. Recovered from Japan.
WX17636 Harold William Holland – died 15 June 1945 SandakanRanau Track, Borneo. Below: ‘Snowy” Holland from ‘E’ Force Borneo.
WX14197 Richard William (Dick) Ridgwell– sent ‘B’ Coy HQ. ‘D’ Force Thailand S Battalion. Recovered Thailand.
WX16427 Donald Charles Robertson – Disembarked Java. Java Party No. 4, Williams Force. Recovered from Thailand.
WX17879 Gabriel John Wade –
WX13161 L/Cpl H E Wright – died illness 5 Oct 1943 Kuii Camp Burma-Thai Railway, Thailand was with ‘D’ Force V Battalion. Below: Reinforcement Teddy Wright was originally from Dumbleyung.
Please see photo of 8 Platoon (tapping on the actual photo awill enlarge the picture)
Read further about Capt Harris Party
Above: 8 Platoon members From rear left R E Carruthers, D N Russell, G H Edwards, J A Taylor (A Coy HQ) and L H Lee.
The following has been researched and written by Ron Pimm on behalf of Jocka Skelton family. Pimm has used ‘Colour Patch’ by Murray Ewen for much of his reference.
