The Soldier's Details

Surname:
Shier
First Name:
Arthur Roy
Nick Name:
Roy
Rank:
Private
Regimental #:
WX18151
Company:
‘A’ Company HQ
Enlisted:
18.12.1941
Discharged:
29.11.1945
DOB:
7.06.1905
Place of Birth:
Guildford, Western Australia
Father's Name:
John Shier
Mothers's Name:
Edith May (nee Sweetman)
Religion:
Church of England
Pre-war Occupation:
Labourer
Singapore:
Selarang Camp Changi, Johore Bahru, Adam Park, Selarang Barracks Changi (Garden Control Party). Returned from Thailand to Kranji Hospital Woodlands (20.10.1944‐February 1945), Changi Gaol Camp, X4B Party, W Party, Tanjong Pagar Camp.
Force:
‘F’ Force Thailand
Camps Thailand:
Kanchanaburi (appendix and gall bladder operations)
Return Details 1945:
Singapore-Perth, Duke of Gloucester’s aircraft 'Endeavour’

General Description

Arthur (Roy) Shier born Guildford 1905 was one of nine surviving children born to John (Jack) Shier and Edith May Sweetman who married Fremantle 1895.
Roy’s mother Edith died 10 Oct 1936 south Como aged 58 years.  His father died 4 Aug 1948.  Both were buried at Fremantle Cemetery.

 

Below:  Shier family farm at Yorkrakine is sold 1934.

Above:  Roy was working at Laverton in 1936.

 

 

Below:  Roy is part of his sister Ivy’s wedding to Alan Jewell.

 

 

Roy enlisted AIF 18 Dec 1941 and soon after  joined 2/4th MGB as a reinforcement – joining ‘A’ Company HQ under Capt Thomas.    Within a month Roy had boarded ‘Aquitania’ at Fremantle as a reinforcement and sailed for Singapore.  About four weeks later on15 Feb 1942, Roy had been taken POW of Japan.
From Singapore he worked at Johore Bahru, Adam Park and in Singapore with the Garden Party. He was selected to work on the Burma-Thai Railway with ‘F’ Force Thailand.  ‘F’ Force lost many lives – their work and living conditions horrendous.
Please read about this work Force.
Below:  list of 2/4th with ‘F’ Force Thailand was compiled by Harold Cowie.

 

At Kanchanaburi POW Hospital, Thailand prior to returning to Singapore, Roy was operated on for appendix and gall bladder.  He returned to Kranji Hospital, Singapore.
Later he was accommodated at Changi Gaol Camp.  He joined several work parties – X4B Party, W Party, Tanjong Pagar Camp.  Roy was recovered from Singapore.  He was flown to Perth on the Duke of Gloucester’s aircraft ‘Endeavour’ which had been offered to return several seriously ill POWs recovered from Sumatra Railway.
As far as we are able to ascertain, Roy did not marry.  He resided at Rivervale and worked as a labourer.  He died 20 March 1961 aged 57 years.  He was buried at Fremantle Cemetery.

Camp Locations:

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  • Changi Gaol Camp - Singapore
  • Johore Bahru, - Malaysia
  • Kranji Camp Woodlands - Singapore
  • Selarang Barracks Changi - Singapore
  • Selarang Camp Changi - Singapore
  • Kanchanaburi, 50k - Thailand
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