The Soldier's Details

Frank was selected in Singapore to work on the Burma end of the Burma-Thai Railway with ‘A’ Force, Green Force No. 3 Battalion.

Read further about this Force

Frank was evacuated to Khonkan on 4.7.1943. Two tropical ulcers had developed on his lower right leg, one about 3″ X 2″ and another 1″ x 1.5″ . The leg was amputated above the knee on 16 September 1943.   This time frame confirms Frank’s ulclers had deteriorated to the point where his life was threatened without an operation.   Tragically Frank died post operation, as so many patients did.   He was also suffering from malaria and dysentery at the time of his death.

Read further about Khonkan Camp, Burma.

 

 

 

 

According to 1901 Census, Frank’s father was a tea & oriental Grocer/merchant.  The family residing in Cheltenham.  In 1911 the family’s address is Highgate, Cleeve Hill Near Cheltenham.  His father now a tea merchant and Frank was 11 years old.

Frank’s father died in 1911.  His mother died 1921.

Frank New arrived in WA 27 November 1928 on ‘Oronsay’ from London.  He was 29 years old, and recorded his occupation as farm labourer.  (It is possible Frank lowered his age to meet the maximum age criteria for enlistment)

In 1931 Electoral Role he was recorded working as farm hand at Coomerdale, located between Moora and Watheroo.

In 1935 Frank married Daisy Grace Eldridge (nee Wilkes).  The couple were recorded in 1936 and 1937 at Post Office Dining Rooms, Mandurah.  They offered home-cooked pies and pasties, fish and chips, cool drinks and ices.

Daisy had lived several years in an extremely challenging marriage and finally divorced.

 

 

Below:  Daisy New with her sons from a former marriage.  Daisy and her first husband sailed from England to WA.

Below:  The Mandurah Post Office Dining Rooms is written up as is Bryan Manwaring’s parents business.  Manwaring enlisted Aug 1940 and joined ‘C’ Coy. Bryan was fortunate to survive to return home.  Both New and Manwaring were in Burma with Green Force No. 3 Battalion.  Manwaring was initially selected with ‘Rakuyo’ Maru Party for Japan – but he remained behind in Saigon because he was sick.  ‘Rakuyo’ Maru was sunk by American submarines Sept 1944 with a huge loss of lives.

 

Frank was again recorded at same address for 1943, however not Daisy.

Daisy died 10 June 1963 Como, aged  74 years and was buried Karrakatta.

 

Below:  Further information re Daisy’s divorce.   Her husband deserted her, she was alone without family  to support her, left to look after two young children without his financial support. The Eldridges had migrated to WA.

 

 

The Truth’s reporting as usual is very tatty!