The Soldier's Details

Surname:
Anderson
First Name:
James Lorimer
Rank:
Corporal
Regimental #:
WX15433
Company:
'B' Company, 9 Platoon
Enlisted:
28.07.1941
Discharged:
4.02.1946
DOB:
16.11.1912
Place of Birth:
Ottawa, Canada
Father's Name:
Alfred John Anderson
Mothers's Name:
Ada Anderson
Religion:
Church of St Andrews
Pre-war Occupation:
Farmer
Singapore:
Selarang Camp Changi, Johore Bahru, Adam Park, Selarang Barracks Changi. Following return from Thailand - X1 Party, P Party, Changi Gaol Camp.
Force:
‘F’ Force Thailand
POW#:
4/5872
Return Details 1945:
Singapore‐Darwin-Sydney, 1st Netherlands Military Hospital Ship Oranje, Sydney-Perth by troop train.

General Description

Anderson enlisted AIF 28 Jul 1941 ages 29 years, became a reinforcement to 2/4th MGB and promoted to Corporal prior to boarding ‘Aquitania’ at Fremantle to sail to Singapore on 16 January 1940 where he joined ‘B’ Coy 9 Platoon under CO Lt Lee.
Following capitulation to Japan he was first sent to Selarang Camp, Changi.  He left Changi with Jahore Bahru Party and was then at Adam Park.
In 1943 he was entrained from Singapore with ‘F’ Force Thailand to work on Burma-Thai Railway in Thailand.  There were 48 men from 2/4th on the work party which would endure a shocking death rate.

 

Please read about ‘F’ Force Thailand

We are not sure of his camp movements but would have been at Shimo Songkurai at some time – the main F Force Camp.
Jim Anderson was one of the fortunate to survive F Force and was returned to Kanchanaburi prior to end of 1943 before being entrained back to Singapore.  All F Force POWS returned to Changi in the most appalling health.
Once recovered he was sent with a further two work parties XI Party and P Party before returning to Changi where he was recovered at end of war.

Please read further

Jim was born Ottawa, Canada to parents Adeline Hill Stirton (known as Ada) and Alfred John Anderson.  He was one of three sons.  His mother Ada died in Scotland 1928.

We do not know when the three Anderson sons arrived in Perth.

Jim’s brother Edward Anderson died Perth 1942.

Jim had married in Perth 1941 Lydia Shepherd.

Lydia’s father John Shepherd died Feb 1948 Perth. Her mother died July 1985 at Maddington.

Regretfully we have been unsuccessful in finding any information about Jim and his wife after the war.

 

Jim Anderson died 18 Jun 1984 Nedlands and his wife Lydia d.Sept 1995 Nedlands.

 

Camp Locations:

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  • Changi Gaol Camp - Singapore
  • Johore Bahru, - Malaysia
  • Selarang Barracks Changi - Singapore
  • Selarang Camp Changi - Singapore
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