The Soldier's Details

Surname:
Limbourn
First Name:
Thomas Alfred
Nick Name:
Tom
Rank:
Lance Corporal
Regimental #:
WX8960
Company:
'A' Company
Enlisted:
25.10.1940
Discharged:
10.04.1946
DOB:
20.10.1909
Place of Birth:
Wimbledon, England
Father's Name:
John Joseph Limboum
Mothers's Name:
Eliza Mary Limbourn
Religion:
Church of England
Pre-war Occupation:
Stereotyper
Singapore:
Selarang Camp Changi
Force:
'A' Force Burma, Green Force, No. 3 Battalion
Camps Thailand:
Tamarkan, Chungkai, Kanchanaburi, Tamuang
POW#:
8960
Return Details 1945:
Thailand-Singapore by aircraft, Singapore-Fremantle, HMT Moreton Bay.

General Description

Tom Limbourn entered Burma at Victoria Point with Green Force.
He became sick at Ye September 1942 and was later discharged at Tavoy. From Tavoy he moved north to Moulmein and then onto Thanbyuzayat, possibly with Stringer’s draft No. 2 ex-Victoria Point. At this point, Tom re-joined Green Force at the 4.8km Camp and moved to Thetkaw, the 14km Camp.
At Kendaw Tom became sick again and separated from Green Force. When interviewed by Murray Ewen, author of ‘Colour Patch’, Tom said he had joined up with some of the Dutch Prisoners of War. This is interesting because Tom’s POW No. 8960 was within the numbers allocated to a Dutch Group, Draft No. 10, under Captain Van der Schaaf. On his discharge from hospital he moved to the Kun Knit Kway Camp where he was engaged in bridge building. Tom later joined up again with his mates in Green Force as follows: Black Anderson and Williams Force eventually massed at Kun Knit Kway. The first 2 groups to move out to alleviate overcrowding were Black and Anderson Forces, who moved forward to Meiloe 75km Camp in March 1945. It was here Tom joined up with Green Force who later moved forward to Aungganaung 105km Camp. From this camp Tom continued south into Thailand with Williams Force until the completion of the rail link.

 

Below:  Tom’s mother died 1928.

 

Below:  Tom’s father died 1936.

 

Returning from War Tom divorced his wife Louise.  He later remarried.

The Town of Cambridge named their numerous ‘Rights of Way’ after former WW1 and WW2 soldiers, including Tom.
LIMBOURN WAY, off Corboy Street, Leederville.

(Named obtained from “The Western Command – Xmas Number 1941” by DOLA)

Tom Limbourn died 2004.

Camp Locations:

  • Selarang Camp Changi - Singapore
  • Chungkai, 60k - Thailand
  • Kanchanaburi, 50k - Thailand
  • Tamarkan, Tha Makham 56k - Thailand
  • Tamuang, Tha Muang 39k - Thailand
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