The Soldier's Details

Newling enlisted AIF 8 Oct 1940, later joining 2/4th’s Headquarters Company No. 3 Platoon under command of Capt Phelps and Lt. O’Sullivan under classification as Bricklayer.

Following the Surrender at Singapore, Rex worked with various parties out of Selarang Camp and Barracks, Changi with brother Kitch Newling WX17458.

 

 

 

Rexford ‘Rex’  Frank Newling (on right) was one of three brothers to enlist into 2/4th. He tragically died of malaria at Kuii Camp, Thailand  on 29 Sep 1943

Younger brother Oswald Kitchener  ‘Kitch’ Newling WX17458 the last to enlist in October 1941 also died of Malaria at Kuii, however exactly four weeks later than Rex.

Older brother Rolf Walker Newling WX8865  (on left in photo) died 13 June 1945 Ranau on one of the ‘Death Marches’.

Kuii Camp on the Burma-Thai Railway in Thailand proved to be a miserable camp for 2/4th with so many deaths from illnesses.  For further information read the story “Newling Brothers”

Please read about ‘D’ Force Thailand V Battalion

 

 

 

 

Rex Newling enlisted 8 October 1940 joined Headquarters Company as a ‘bricklayer.’   Older brother Rolf who enlisted a few days later on 25 October 1940 was a Section Orderley with ‘B’ Company.

Rex or ‘Rexy’ Newling married in 1941 to Doris Jones, in Northam.

As with brother Kitch, Rex was at Selarang and went out on various work parties for the Japanese before he and Kitch were selected to work on the Burma-Thai railway with ‘D’ Force Thailand, V Battalion. V Battalion endured the highest death rate of 50% of  Australian work Forces on the railway.

V Battalion travelled by rail from Singapore on 17 March 1943 to Thailand.  Their first work camp was Kinsaiyok, then Brankassi, Hindaine and finally Kuii Camp were Rex died of malaria on 29 September 1943 and Kitch died (also of malaria) on 22 October 1943.

Plaque at Kanchanaburi War Cemetery, Collective Grave, Plot 3 Row D, Grave 71-73