The Soldier's Details

Admitted to Alexandra Hospital with appendicitis. Posted on the sick list on 27.1.1942.

Oswald Kitchener, known as ‘Kitch’ Newling was one of three brothers to enlist into 2/4th. There was older brother Rexford Frank Newling WX8432 and younger brother Rolf Walker Newling WX8865.
Kitch and Rexford died at Kuii in 1943 and Rolf died June 1945 at Ranau on the ‘Death March’.

For further information read “Newling Brothers”

Please read about ‘D’ Force Thailand V Battalion and Kuii Camp

Kitch Newling was married with three children when he enlisted 27 October 1941.  He was a reinforcement for 2/4th, and joined Headquarters Company with his brother Rex.

Following surrender by the Allies to Japan, Kitch was housed at Selarang and joined numerous work parties around Singapore for the Japanese.  He was selected to work on the Burma-Thai railway with ‘D’ Force Thailand V Battalion which left by train from Singapore to Thailand on 17 March 1943.

V Battalion was to endure one of the highest death rates of all Australians working on the railway in Thailand.    Kitch was 28 years old when he died of Malaria at Kuii Camp, Thailand.  He was one of 21 men from 2/4th who died here, including his brother Rex Newling who had died also of Malaria on 29 September 1943.

The greatest challenge facing 100 fit Australians the young Major Alf Cough (aged 21 years) from 2/4th MGB was ordered to take to Kuii Camp from Hindaine on 31 August 1943 was that the Dutch Indonesians had been there for some time and in large numbers and the camp was under their command.  They decided work allocation as well as food and accommodation.  The Aussies always received the ‘short end of the stick’.  It is believed the Australians would have not have had  anywhere near the death rate had they remained with other Australian run camps.

Plaque at Kanchanaburi War Cemetery, Collective Grave, Plot 3, Row F, Grave 48-53