The Soldier's Details
- Surname:
- Gwynne
- First Name:
- George Whittindale
- Rank:
- Captain
- Regimental #:
- WX3450
- Awards:
- Mentioned in Despatches
- Company:
- ‘D’ Company Headquarters
- Enlisted:
- 14.12.1940
- Discharged:
- 10.01.1946
- DOB:
- 3.08.1904
- Place of Birth:
- West Perth, Western Australia
- Father's Name:
- Lewis Howard Gwynne
- Mothers's Name:
- Madeline Isabel Gwynne (nee Parker)
- Religion:
- Church of England
- Pre-war Occupation:
- Barrister and Solicitor
- Singapore:
- Selarang Camp Changi; Thomson Road (Caldecot Hill Estate Camp); River Valley Road Camp; Selarang Barracks Changi; Levelling Party at Changi Aerodrome Camp; Changi Gaol Camp
- Force:
- ‘F’ Force Thailand
- Camps Thailand:
- Shimo Sonkurai, Kami Sonkurai, Nikhe, Tanbaya Camp Burma, Kanchanaburi
- POW#:
- 3/5779
- Return Details 1945:
- Singapore-Darwin‐Sydney, HMT Arawa; Sydney-Melbourne by troop train; Melbourne-Fremantle, HMT Strathmore
General Description
Gwynne had previously enlisted with the Light Horse Militia.
Gwynne enlisted AIF 14 Dec 1940 later joining 2/4th MGB’s ‘D’ Company Headquarters and as Captain, was second in Command to Commanding Officer Major Alf Cough.
Please read Alf Cough’s poem which features George amongst others from 2/4th.
Gwynne left Singapore with ‘F’ Force Thailand, to travel to Burma-Thai Railway. Please read further
Captain George Gwynne was one of seven Wardmasters at Tanbaya Hospital Camp, Burma. He took care of Ward 6. Bruce Hunt was the M.O. of this camp and mentioned the hardworking Wardmasters who assisted enormously in the efficient running of the hospital. Hunt had isolated diseases in wards so as to assist in medical care and to halt the disease spreading to others.
The bulk of the POWs were moved out of Tanbaya in November 1943. They had to leave behind those too ill to move.
Major Bruce Hunt was M.O. in charge of Tanbaya and Lt. Col. Hutchinson was Administrative Commandant.
Read further about Tanbaya Hospital Camp, Burma.
Please read about the Lawyers on Burma-Thai Railway
Gwynne represents several 2/4th Boys in Northam
Returning to Singapore Gwynne was seconded to join Levelling Party Changi Aerodrome.
Below: Gwynne representing former 2/4th POW Douglas Godfrey Ross who had been charged with the theft on several occasions. Ross settled down, married and lived in Albany living a successful life.
Above: Happy gossip from the Terrace.
Below: GEORGE GWYNNE’S sailing interest pre-war.
Below: George’s parents marriage 1903
In 1927, George’s father died.
Below: George’s sister’s wedding 1930.
Below: George marries in1937.
In 1937 George a Solicitor and Partner with Parker & Parker, married Sheila Catherine Hayes.
He was an amateur horse rider, horse owner and WA Turf Club committeeman. In 1937 he was Commodore of Royal Perth Yacht Club.
The couple had one daughter Sally.
Sheila died in 1975 whilst George died in 1962 aged 58 years.
Please read about George representing 3 chaps from 2/4th who were having a night out in Northam.
Camp Locations:
- Changi Aerodrome - Singapore
- Changi Gaol Camp - Singapore
- River Valley Road Camp - Singapore
- Selarang Barracks Changi - Singapore
- Selarang Camp Changi - Singapore
- Thomson Road (Caldecot Hill Estate Camp) - Singapore