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
Camp Locations:
- Selarang Camp Changi - Singapore
- Kanchanaburi, 50k - Thailand