The Soldier's Details

Surname:
Ridgwell
First Name:
Richard William
Nick Name:
Dick
Rank:
Private
Regimental #:
WX14197
Company:
‘B’ Company Headquarters
Enlisted:
11.06.1941
Discharged:
13.02.1946
DOB:
25.01.1918
Place of Birth:
Perth, Western Australia
Father's Name:
Alfred George Ridgwell
Mothers's Name:
Myrtle Ivy Ridgwell
Religion:
Church of England
Pre-war Occupation:
Mechanical Fitter
Singapore:
Selarang Camp Changi, Johore Bahru, Adam Park, Sime Road Camp, Selarang Barracks Changi
Force:
‘D’ Force Thailand, S Battalion
Camps Thailand:
Kanu II , Hintok Road Camp, Kinsaiyok, Konkoita, Tarsau, Tamarkan, Chungkai, Nakon Nayok, Bangkok
POW#:
4 /6544 and 8834
Return Details 1945:
Thailand-Singapore by aircraft; Singapore-Morotai-Wewak-Townsville by aircraft; Townsville-Sydney-Melbourne-Perth by train

General Description

Ridgwell enlisted AIF 11 June 1941 sent to Northam where in Dec 1941 he was selected as one of 146 reinforcements for 2/4th.  The men were entrained from Northam to Fremantle to board ‘Aquitania’ anchored at Gage Roads off Fremantle.  Their ship sailed for Singapore the next day. Half of the 146 would form E Coy SRB and the other half would reinforce other 2/4th Platoons.  Dick  joined ‘B’ Coy 8 Platoon under CO Lt MacKinnon.   He was fortunate not to with most of the reinforcements who made up ‘E’ Coy who were KIA, MIA or injured at a Japanese ambush at SW Bukit Timah on 12 Feb 1942.
He had previously be working as a mechanical fitter at Sons of Gwalia Mine, in the Goldfields.  Please read further about the men who enlisted from there.
Prior to joining 2/4th Battalion Dick was linked to the Regimental Training Depot holding the position of Corporal, on signing on to the 2/4th he reverted to Private.
He left Singapore to work on the Burma-Thai Railway with ‘D’ Force Thailand S Battalion.  Please read about this work force which included a large number of 2/4th men.
He was recovered from Nakom Nayok Camp when the war ended, taken to Bangkok, flown to Singapore.  He flew Singapore-Morotai-Wewak-Townsville.  Then was entrained from Townsville-Sydney-Melbourne-Perth.

Ridgewell Bangkok

BANGKOK, THAILAND. 1945-09-16. 8TH AUSTRALIAN DIVISION EX-PRISONERS OF WAR (POWS) OF THE JAPANESE AT THE WAR MEMORIAL IN THE EUROPEAN SECTION OF THE TOWN DURING A CITY SIGHTSEEING TOUR. SHOWN: CORPORAL H. R. HENDERSON, 2/3RD AUSTRALIAN MOTOR TRANSPORT COMPANY (1); PRIVATE W. RIDGEWELL, 2/4TH AUSTRALIAN MACHINE GUN BATTALION (2); DRIVER S. R. HOLLAND, 3RD AUSTRALIAN RESERVE MOTOR TRANSPORT COMPANY (3).

Dick Ridgwell and Bob Dunnell, Anzac House
Dick Ridgwell and Bob Dunnell, Anzac House

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

RSLWA Presentation Ceremony - Premier's Anzac Student Tour 2017. John Gilmour and Dick Ridgwell front row.
RSLWA Presentation Ceremony – Premier’s Anzac Student Tour 2017.
John Gilmour and Dick Ridgwell front row.

 

Dick Ridgwell
Dick Ridgwell
Ridgwell Dog Tags
Ridgwell Dog Tags

L-R Dick Ridgwell, Ernie Zappa's brother, Unknown

L-R Dick Ridgwell, Lou Zappa and Reg Alsop. These were the guys Dick signed up with from Sons of Gwalia.

1987 Anniversary Dinner – Beryl Beattie, Trevor James, Alma & Dick Ridgwell (Beattie Collection)

 

Jack Kyros contemplating at Changi Chapel
Jack Kyros and Dick contemplating at Changi Chapel opening 15.02.2002

 

 

At 98 years of age, Dick Ridgwell is our oldest attending Committee member.  He is most highly regarded.  We admire his forthrightness!
The three Musketeers, Ridgwell, Badock & John Gilmour
The Three Musketeers – Ridgwell, Badock & Gilmour 2015
Dorizzi Bernie, Ridgwell Dick
Bernie Dorizzi & Dick Ridgwell c. 2015
Service commemorating 65 years since VJ Day - 2010
Service commemorating 65 years since VJ Day – 2010
Dick, Jim, Bernie Dorizzi at the 75th Anniversary of the Fall of Singapore 12th February 2017
Dick, Jim, Bernie Dorizzi at the 75th Anniversary of the Fall of Singapore 12th February 2017

 

Watch the video interview of Dick Ridgewell, WX14197, with Peter Winstanley.

Read the stories,  Dick’s encounter with a Sikh in Singapore

and Never assume Japanese do not speak English

Listen to an oral interview with Dick in February 2001. recorded in Singapore

Please read about Dick at Tarsau Camp Hospital.   A sick man himself, he helped mates in a worse state than himself.
From Tarsau Dick was sent to Tamarkan, Chungaki and Nakom Nayok.    When the war ended he was transported by truck to Bangkok where the POWs were flown to Singapore.
Read of Dick’s return to Perth. (presently under construction)

Dick was a Member of Buffaloes Lodge, Changi

Dick was working at Sons of Gwalia when he enlisted.  It was here Dick met his wife-to-be Alma.

 

Borehole Bulletin October 1992
The following letter was addressed to Ted Wallin, (editor of Borehole) written by John Waddell from Newdegate.
‘Just a note to say good’day and some information on Bill ‘Jeep’ Breed’s 90th birthday in June.  Hoping all is well with you as it is with Beth and I, we are shifting to Mandurah next month so may get to a few more shows.
Bill is keeping well and has a marvellous spirit for his age.  His party, organised by Poll Findlay’s daughter Marg and husband Merve Saunders, was very well done.  Plenty of food and drinks all day and plenty of chance to talk.
Around 35 people turned up over the day and included Bill’s friends from Perth and Newdegate, also many cards, etc. a very nice one from Dick Ridgwell which was very much appreciated by Bill.  ‘Cowboy’ Matthews rang him but I was the only 2/4th present.
Bill also had a phone call from a doctor who treated him for a few years, from Cocos Island where he is now on holiday and said he’ll be back next year to see Bill.
Everyone enjoyed the party, especially Bill, who was as bright as a button at 10 o’clock at night when we left.”

 

Below: Snow Fairclough & Arthur Leggat from POWS Assoc with Ron Badock & Dick Ridgwell from 2/4th.

 

Below:  Dick would be proud!
His son Jim Ridgwell, current 2/4th MGB Committee Treasurer, assists Bernice Thomas during 14 Aug 2022 VJ Service, Kings Park.  ‘Bernie’ has been attending 2/4th Services and events for many decades.  She is the youngest sister of WX9828 Arthur Adams who was KIA Singapore 1942.

 

Camp Locations:

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  • Johore Bahru, - Malaysia
  • Selarang Barracks Changi - Singapore
  • Selarang Camp Changi - Singapore
  • Sime Road Camp - Singapore
  • Chungkai, 60k - Thailand
  • Hintok, 154k - Thailand
  • Kanu II, 152.30k - Thailand
  • Kinsaiyok Main, 170.2k - Thailand
  • Nakom Nayok, Nakhon Nayok - Thailand
  • Tamarkan, Tha Makham 56k - Thailand
  • Tarsau, Tha Sao 125k - Thailand
  • Konkoita (Brigade or Cholera Camp) - Thailand
  • Bangkok - Thailand
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