The Soldier's Details

Surname:
Omiridis
First Name:
Petros Vassilious
Nick Name:
Peter
Rank:
Private
Regimental #:
WX12156
Classification:
Batman/Runner
Company:
‘A’ Company, 6 Platoon
Enlisted:
2.05.1941
Discharged:
17.10.1946
DOB:
26.06.1909
Place of Birth:
Grasdain, Macedonia
Father's Name:
Petros Omiridis
Mothers's Name:
Maria Omiridis
Religion:
Greek Orthodox
Pre-war Occupation:
Stonemason
Singapore:
Selarang Camp Changi
Force:
'J' Force Japan, Wales Maru Party
Camps Japan:
Kobe (Showa‐Denki); Kawasaki Camp, Maruyama Park; Wakinohama
POW#:
1/ 882 and 3 /9051 and 643
Return Details 1945:
Yokohama-Okinawa by aircraft; Okinawa-Manila by aircraft; Manila-Sydney, HMAS Quiberon; Sydney 113(C)MH; Melbourne 115(H)MH; Detrained Perth and admitted to 110(P)MH

General Description

Omiridis was wounded in action Jurong Road on 10/2/1942. Admitted to 2/13th Australian General Hospital on 11/2/1942 with a bayonet wound to left leg. Discharged to unit on 23.3.1942.
He enlisted AIF 2 May 1941 later as a reinforcement joined ‘A’ Coy 6 Platoon as a Batman/Runner.

 

Omiridis, Petros V. 'Peter'
Peter Omiridis with family pre-war.

 

Peter was a member of ‘J’ Force transported from Singapore to Japan to a POW Camp at Kobe mid 1943. Some of the details of Kobe House are found at the story Kobe House, Japan.

Read about Showa-Deki, Kobe.

Please read about ‘J’ Force and ‘Wales’ Maru

Peter passed away in early 1985.

___________________

 

Petros Omiridis arrived  Fremantle Jan 1925 aged 14 years  on the ‘Cephee’ which had sailed from Dunkirk, France. Onboard were many young Greek boys/men about the same age.  They were part of a Australian Government push to encourage migrants to leave their homes not only from England but Eastern European countries such as Greece, Italy and Macedonia – Australia required manual and rural labourers.
He married Ellen (believed to be known as Nell) Atridge Griffen about 1936 and had two daughters.
Below:  1930 – Peter who is residing at Moora and using ‘VASEL’ as his surname announces his intention to Naturalise.

According to Electoral Rolls 1968 – 1980 Peter OMIRIDIS was residing at 12 Queens Street, Gosnells and working as a labourer.  He was however living alone.
Ellen (known as Nell) was born about 1910 Victoria to parents John Griffen and Ellen Mulcahy. Unfortunately we have no knowledge of when Ellen and possibly her family, moved to WA.  We believe she was residing (1931 Electoral Roll) with sister Jane Elizabeth Griffen at 86 Olive Street, Subiaco.  Both working at home duties.
Ellen Omiridis died at Mt Lawley 20 July 1985 aged 76 years.  She is buried Karrakatta.

Camp Locations:

  • Selarang Camp Changi - Singapore
  • Kawasaki, Maruyama Park - Japan
  • Kobe, Osaka #2-B - Japan ***
  • Wakinohama, Osaka #14-B - Japan
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