The Soldier's Details

Surname:
Kluth
First Name:
Gerry Brown a.k.a. Gerry Brown Cluth
Rank:
Private
Regimental #:
WX16391
Company:
‘D’ Company
Enlisted:
8.09.1941
DOB:
28.03.1920
Place of Birth:
Subiaco, Western Australia
Father's Name:
Henry Adolph Kluth
Mothers's Name:
Matilda Brown (mother died 14 days after child birth)
Religion:
Church of England
Pre-war Occupation:
Labourer and Professional Cyclist
Memorial:
Kanchanaburi War Cemetery, Plot 1, Row H, Grave 49, Age 23.
Singapore:
Selarang Camp and Barracks Changi
Force:
‘D’ Force Thailand, S Battalion
POW#:
4/6003 & 8761
Cause of Death:
Cholera
Place of Death:
Kanu ll
Date of Death:
5.07.1943
Buried:
Grave No. 12, KanuI II .

General Description

Gerry had been competitive cyclist prior to enlisting.
As one of the below notices state Gerry lived at Wiluna 700 miles north-east of Perth.   He had never seen the sea or a tram until recently (ie until travelling to competitions.)

nla.news-article58771664.3 News (Adelaide, SA _ 1923 - 1954), Monday 24 August 1936, page 3 Newcastle Sun (NSW _ 1918 - 1954), Saturday 5 September 1936, page 6 Kluth, Gerry September 1936, page 2

Following enlistment Gerry was Taken on Strength to Woodside Camp, SA on 5th October 1941.  He had been placed in ‘D’ Coy No. 14 Platoon.
He was imprisoned as POW at Selarang Camp and Barracks Changi from where he was selected to work on the Thai-Burma Railway with ‘D’ Force, S Battalion.
Whilst working at Kanu II Camp Gerry contracted Cholera and died on 5th July 1943 at the age of 23 years.  Whilst in the cholera camp Gerry was next to another 2/4th soldier, Jim Gilmour.  Jim miraculously survived his Cholera attack and years later returned home to his family.

 

Plaque at Kanchanaburi War Cemetery, Plot 1, Row H, Grave 49

Camp Locations:

  • Selarang Barracks Changi - Singapore
  • Selarang Camp Changi - Singapore
  • Kanu II, 152.30k - Thailand
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