The Soldier's Details

Park enlisted AIF 10 Sep 1941.

He was Taken On Strength to Woodside, SA 5 Oct 1941 and soon after joined 2/4th MGB’s Headquarters Coy Platoon No. 3. under Commanding Officers Capt Phelps and Lt Bernie O’Sullivan.

As a POW at  Singapore Albert was a member of ‘J’ Force transported from Singapore to Japan on ‘Wales’ Maru to a POW Camp at Kobe mid 1943.  He arrived Moji, Japan 8 June 1943.  Some of the details of Kobe House are found at the story Kobe House, Japan.

Also read Jack Leahy’s Affidavit about Osaka sub Camp No. 9

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

Park arrived Kobe 8 June 1943 working on the wharf until 20 May 1945 when Kobe House was bombed and destroyed.

Park was sent to Notogawa-Osaka sub Camp No. 9.  Notogawa on 20 May 1945 –  a miserable camp where POWs were required to work standing in water and guards handed out severe punishment frequently.   Rations were the least they ever had and each man lost weight dramatically. Park was one of three 2/4th men at Notogawa.

Please read about Notogawa.

Osaka, Japan. 1945. Australian prisoners of war (POWs) at  Notogawa Camp near Osaka after the Japanese surrender. The men, on their bunks suffered malnutrition and considerable loss of weight. Pictured, left to right: Private A. W. L. Park of Corrigin, WA; Gunner T. O’Mullane of Brighton-Le-Sands, NSW; Sapper E. V. Smith of Koondrook, Vic; and Private Power of Kyogle, NSW.

Above taken Corrigin.

Park’s parents William Henry Park and Gwendoline Annie Dunn were born and married England 1918.  With their first two sons born in England, the family arrived in WA.  Lance was born in Fremantle, WA – his birth was followed by further children.

Lance’s father William Henry died 1970 at Hollywood and Gwendoline died Mandurah in 1992.

Below Lance married Daisy Agnes Buegge in 1946.

Below:  Manjimup

Lance Park died 13 July 1994 and is buried at Denmark Cemetery.