The Soldier's Details

Surname:
MacKay
First Name:
William
Nick Name:
Bill
Rank:
Private
Regimental #:
WX7138
Company:
'C' Company, 10 Platoon
Enlisted:
1.08.1940
DOB:
2.07.1908
Place of Birth:
Colspie, Scotland
Father's Name:
Hugh McKay
Mothers's Name:
Sarah McKay
Religion:
Presbyterian
Pre-war Occupation:
Prospector
Memorial:
Kanchanaburi War Cemetery, Plot 1, Row L, Grave 56, Age 35.
Singapore:
Selarang Camp and Barracks Changi
Force:
'D' Force Thailand V Battalion
POW#:
1/8536 & 2276
Cause of Death:
Acute Enteritis
Place of Death:
Brankassi
Date of Death:
23.09.1943
Buried:
Grave No. 68, Brankassi

General Description

Paddy Byrne, Unknown, Ern Ricketts, Chris McLennan, Bill McKay
Paddy Byrne, Unknown, Ern Ricketts, Front:  Chris McLennan, Bill McKay

 

Above:  Chris McLennan,  Bill McKay and Alex McLennan

 

 

Bill McKay was selected from Selarang to work on the Burma-Thai Railway with ‘D’ Force V Battalion.

 

Photograph taken Jan 2018 Kanchanaburi War Cemetery

 

As a POW at Selarang, Singapore McKay was selected with ‘B’ Force Thailand V Battalion to work on Burma-Thai Railway.  V Battalion departed Singapore Railway Station for a 4-5 day crowded journey to Bampong, Thailand.
V Battalion endured a very high casualty rate with many lives lost to tropical illnesses.
Please read further.
Tragically Bill McKay died of acute enteritis at Hindaine Camp aged  35 years.

 

 

Bill was born 1908 Golspie, Scotland to parents Hugh McKay and Sarah Mcangus.  Sarah died of illness aged 44 years in 1918.  His father died Scotland in 1957.
We know he had a brother in Perth Jock and his wife Ivy.  Unfortunately we have no further details about the McKay family.
Bill arrived from London on 16 July 1929 on ‘Balranald’ to Fremantle at the age of 18 years.  His occupation was recorded as farm labourer.
In 1936 and 1937 Electoral Rolls he was recorded residing
Daveyhurst, Mt Magnet working as a prospector.  Davyhurst was established about 1900 and has had several operating gold mines since then.
When he enlisted he was recorded residing at Ora Banda, Mr Magnet.
Bill was a close mate of Frank Halbert WX8250 also from the Goldfields.  Halbert and McKay were with ‘C’ Coy, 10th Platoon.  Halbert died of cholera on 4 June 1943 with ‘F’ Force at Shimo Sonnkurai, Thailand aged 35 years.
Leo Patrick (Paddy) Byrne was also in ‘C’ Coy , 10 Platoon with McKay.

Camp Locations:

  • Selarang Camp Changi - Singapore
  • Brankassi, Prang Kasi, 208k - Thailand
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