The Soldier's Details

Major Green left Singapore as a POW with ‘A’ Force Burma, Green Force No. 3 Battalion to work firstly on repairing and enlarging airfield in south west Burma before arriving 1 Oct 1942 to begin work on the Burma end of the Burma-Thai Railway.  (Green Force was so named after Major Green).

Major Green was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel on the death of Lieutenant-Colonel Anketell.  In his capacity as Commanding Officer of 2/4th Machine Gun Battalion and Green Force he was taken by the Japanese and placed into solitary confinement for refusing to sign a no escape declaration.  He was sent to Thanbyuzayat and was not released until he had signed this document which he did under duress.

On his release on 12 October 1942 he rejoined his POW workforce, Green Force No. 3 Battalion, in the rubber plantation at Kendau, the 4.8 km Camp.  The Japanese HQ was also at Kendau.

At wars end Lt. Col. Green was called upon to lead a liaison mission to Ubon near the Thai-Laotian border. Upon completion he returned to Bangkok and was assigned the task of commanding all Allied ex-POWs in the Petchaburi-Kachu Mountain area before returning to Singapore.

 

Centre & Right:  Green and Wedge October 1945 on ship ‘Highland Brigade’ sailing home with Capt Hill on Left.

 

For further reading about Green Force No. 3 Battalion

 

 

 

Above:  It is of interest, and shows the level of leadership, professionalism, care for his men and humbleness, that  Major Green returned to WA by sea  – many officers of 2/4th and other battalions were quick to return home by plane.

 

Lt- Col Green returned to his former employment as assistant Manager of  F.H. Faulding (WA).  He was known to be a keen fisherman.

 

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Charles Green (Snr) married 1891 Hawthorn, Victoria to Eliza Bassett of Sale.  The couple obviously moved to West Australia prior to the birth of their fourth son Charles (Jnr)  Perth in 1902.

In the 1910, 1913 Electoral Rolls Charles and Eliza are residing 87 Aberdeen Street, Perth.  He is a jeweller.

In 1925 Electoral Roll Charles (Snr) is at 819 Hay Street, Perth, Jeweller.

In 1936, 1937 and 1943 Charles (Snr) Charles (Snr) is retired at 918 Hay Street, Perth.

There is a Eliza Green residing Hardey Road, Bayswater Home duties. However Eliza is not mentioned in the above addresses.

It is believed Charles Edward (Snr) died in July 1945.

 

Charles Green married 29 Jan 1927 at St. Mary’s Church, Colin Street, West Perth to Doris Elizabeth Mills b. 1902 Subiaco.  They had one daughter Barbara Ann Bassett Green b. 11 Nov 1932.  She worked as a Librarian in 1954 living with her parents.  Barbara m. John Anthony Guy Brand.  She died 8 Feb 2023 aged 90.

In 1925 Electoral Roll Charles Green (Jnr) residing 231 Lake Street, Salesman.

In the Electoral Rolls for 1936, 1937, 1943, 1939 Charles Green (Jnr) and Doris Elizabeth reside 71 Mount Street, West Perth. His occupation is Manager.

In 1963 Electoral Roll Charles and Doris are residing Altona Street, West Perth and he is Manager.

Charles Edward Green died 4th June 1986 aged 83 years at Royal Perth Hospital, WA.    He left his widow Doris and one daughter, Mrs Anthony Brand.

It is believed his family held a private funeral of which little detail is known.

Doris Green died 17 Feb 1987 at Alfred Carson Aged Care, Claremont.