The Soldier's Details

Surname:
Gregory
First Name:
John Edgar James
Nick Name:
Jack
Rank:
Private
Regimental #:
WX8674
Classification:
Private
Company:
‘B’ Company, 7 Platoon
Enlisted:
23.10.1940
DOB:
2.11.1903
Place of Birth:
Kalgoorlie, Western Australia
Father's Name:
George Henry Gregory
Mothers's Name:
Janet Margaret Ronald Gregory
Religion:
Presbyterian
Pre-war Occupation:
Miner
Memorial:
Thanbyuzayat War Cemetery, Plot A6, Row D, Grave 12, Age 39.
Singapore:
Selarang Camp and Barracks Changi
Force:
‘F’ Force Thailand
Camps Thailand:
Nikhe, Old and New Headquarters Camps
POW#:
3/7954
Cause of Death:
Cholera
Place of Death:
Shimo Sonkurai
Date of Death:
1.06.1943
Buried:
Grave No. 33, at the 126km peg Thailand.

General Description

Parents George and Janet Gregory married in 1902.  They moved from South Australia to WA to work in Kalgoorlie. They had four daughters and three sons.  Janet Gregory died East Coolgardie in 1917 and George died in 1923.  When their mother died John was 14 years and younger brother Ronald was 7 years old.
Brothers John and Ron were miners as was their father.
On enlistment with 2/4th, Jack joined ‘B Coy 7 Platoon and Ronald joined ‘A’ Company.  From Singapore the brothers were both selected with ‘F’ Force to work on the Burma-Thai Railway.  John died of cholera at Shimo Sonkurai on 1st June 1943.  Ronald was working at Shimo Sonkurai at the same time.  It would have been a huge tragedy to lose his brother to cholera.
Please read about ‘F’ Force

Below:  List compiled by Harold Cowie.

John & Ron Gregory

at back F Dorrington back row: J Gregory, L O'neil, E Teasdale, A Newel, R Hindle front: R Haldane, M Hunter, T James, F Hinds, D Parker
at back F Dorrington
back row: J Gregory, L O’Neill, E Teasdale, A Newel, R Hindle
front: R Haldane, M Hunter, T James, F Hinds, D Parker

 

John Edgar James Gregory known as ‘Jack’ died of cholera 1 June 1943 at Shimo Sonkurai, he was 39 years old.
After the war his body was taken to Thanbyuzayat War Cemetery, Burma – today known Myanmar.

 

Gregory Kalgoorlie Miner 1945

Camp Locations:

  • Selarang Barracks Changi - Singapore
  • Selarang Camp Changi - Singapore
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