The Soldier's Details

Surname:
Ridley
First Name:
John Thomas
Nick Name:
Jack
Rank:
Private
Regimental #:
WX20074
Company:
‘E’ Company, Special Reserve Battalion
Enlisted:
24.09.1941
DOB:
15.09.1903
Place of Birth:
Durham, England
Father's Name:
John Ridley
Mothers's Name:
Martha Ridley
Religion:
Church of England
Pre-war Occupation:
Farmhand
Memorial:
Kanchanaburi War Cemetery, Plot 1, Row F, Grave 28, Age 40.
Singapore:
Selarang Camp and Barracks Changi
Force:
‘D’ Force Thailand, V Battalion
POW#:
4/6547 & 2286
Cause of Death:
Tropical Ulcers and Malaria
Place of Death:
Kanachanaburi Base Hospital No. 3
Date of Death:
8.11.1943

General Description


Unfortunately little is known of John Ridley.  Born to parents John Ridley and Martha Simpson 1903 Durham, England.  The 1911 Census shows John (7) living with parents and sister Mary Ann (12) in Durham, England.  His father working as colliery loco fireman.
His parents married in 1897 Shildon, Durham, England.
In 1926 John  sailed on ‘Benalla” from London to Fremantle, Western Australia.  Aged 22 years his occupation recorded as miner.  His details were listed with a large number of single young men from Barnham House Government Instructional Centre, Claydon near Ipswich.
(Following the end of WW1, a number of England’s workhouse premises became residential re-training centres for unemployed ex-servicemen and others. Some received ‘handyman’ training and others were prepared for work on agriculture farms in Australia and Commonwealth countries.)
From all accounts it appears John never married.  From the 1930’s to enlistment he worked in Kulin and Lake Grace as agricultural labourer.

 

Please read further about ‘D’ Force V Battalion

 

Ridley Jack – Photograph taken January 2018.

 

 

Jack Ridley - Reinforcement
Jack Ridley – Reinforcement

 

Camp Locations:

  • Selarang Camp Changi - Singapore
  • Kanchanaburi, 50k - Thailand
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