The Soldier's Details

Ken was evacuated to Khonkan 55km from Aungganaung 105km Camp around 10.9.1943 due to tropical ulcers to his right foot. His right leg was amputated above the knee, but he died post leg amputation as a result of toxemia.

Ken enlisted Dec 1940 later joining 2/4th’s HQ Company No. 3 Platoon.

As a POW in Singapore he was selected to work on Burma end of the Burma-Thai Railway with ‘A’ Force Burma Green Force No. 3 Battalion which sailed  14 May 1942 to south west coast of Burma where the 3,000 Australian POW work force was divided into three Battalions to repair and enlarge  aerodromes at Victoria Point, Tavoy and Ye, before heading to Burma end of Railway

Please read further about ‘A’ Force Burma Green Force No. 3 Btn

Ken with Green Force was left at Victoria Point, we cannot be absolutely positive which camps he worked at, but have recorded those camps where Green Force worked and believe he would have been evacuated from Aunggaung/Ankanan 105km Camp with  ulcerated right foot resulting in gangrene spreading up his shin the doctors were forced to amputate 10 Sept 1943 .  The dedicated care from the hospital staff were unable to save Ken, and he died four days later aged 38 years.

Please read further about Konkhan 55km Hospital Camp.

Well-known Albert Coates and 2/4th Doctor Claude Anderson worked at Khonkan Hospital.

 

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Ken Meads was the illigitimate son of Adolphus Kingsnorth.  He and Ethel Annie Meads had planned to marry, however the Kingsnorth family forbade the marriage.  Adolphus Kingsnorth’s family were large landowners.  Adlophus was soon after married to a distant cousin and the couple sent to Canada to live.

Ethel Annie Meads married in 1917 when her son Ken was 14 years old.  She and her husband James Flett  HORSBURGH moved to live in Western Australia and this was the reason Ken Meads joined her several years later.  Ken’s grandmother Ada Meads looked after Ken during much of his life.  It was Ada who adopted Ken and provided information.

Kenneth Meads sailed from London to Australia on 26 Sep 1926 on ‘Baradine’ aged 21 years.  His occupation was recorded as Bank Messenger and his last known address was 20 Albert Ridge Road, Battersea.

He married Iris Lorraine Coles 14 June 1933, and they had several children one of whom is Lorraine Warr who at  84 years of age (December 2017) resides in Queensland and kindly provided much of the information contained here.  Unfortunately Lorraine never really knew her father as her parents divorced and Ken enlisted in 1940.

Below: Ken and Iris endure the tragic loss of their 9 month old son at the end of 1935.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mrs Iris Meads (nee Coles)

died 21 April 1994.

 

 

 

 

 

Below:  Ken Meads now lies in the Thanbyuzayat War Cemetery in Myanmar (formerly Burma).

 

 

Kenneth Meads name is included on the Gosnells WW2 Memorial.

 

 

Dear Cheryl; Kenneth was the illegitimate son of my grandfather – Adolphus Kingsnorth. Shortly after his birth, my grandfather married, then moved to Canada with his young family. Most of his dependents live in the Hamilton Ontario area. I live in Ottawa, Ontario. My extended family was unaware of Ken’s existence until his daughter – Lorraine Wass searched out her ancestors, and made contact with one of my cousins. That was more than 2 decades ago. Lorraine lives in Australia. My cousin kept in touch with her, but seldom hears from her now as she is quite elderly. Her mailing address is 31/16 Blairmount St, Parkinson 4115, Queensland, Australia. Best of luck with the project you are working on. The picture of Ken was provided to my cousin by his daughter. I believe the picture of his wife was one I found through Ancestry. You have my permission to use the photos on you website. If you are able to make contact with Lorraine, she may have more information. If you are able to obtain any other information or pictures of Kenneth, I would love to see them (or be linked to your website)

 

Ken’s mother ETHEL ANNIE MEADS married James Flett Horsburgh on 8 November 1917. She died on 29 March 1931 in Subiaco, Western Australia, at the age of 47.  Horsburgh died a year later in 1932.

 

 

It is of interest that on reading the death notice for Edith Horsburgh, Ken Meads is referred to as a brother to Edith.  Obviously this is how the couple preferred everybody to understand the complexities of of this family.

 

Kingsnorth died in Canada 1957.