The Soldier's Details
- Surname:
- Arthur
- First Name:
- Gerald Charles
- Nick Name:
- Gerry/Jerry
- Rank:
- Corporal (Promoted on 1.2.1942)
- Regimental #:
- WX9011
- Company:
- ‘B’ Company
- Enlisted:
- 25.10.1940
- Discharged:
- 27.02.1946
- DOB:
- 25.07.1913
- Place of Birth:
- Yarloop, Western Australia
- Father's Name:
- Michael Thomas Arthur
- Mothers's Name:
- Elizabeth Ann Arthur
- Religion:
- Roman Catholic
- Pre-war Occupation:
- Truck Driver
- Singapore:
- Selarang Camp Changi, Johore Bahru, Adam Park, Selarang Barracks Changi.
- Force:
- 'J' Force Japan
- Camps Japan:
- Kobe House (Mitsubishi wharves, Toyo Steel), Maibara, Osaka sub-Camp No. 10 (rice planting & irrigation work)
- POW#:
- 797
- Japan:
- Wales Maru Party
- Return Details 1945:
- Maibara-Yokohama by train, Yokohama-Okinawa-Manila by aircraft, Manila-Sydney, HMS Formidable, Sydney-Perth by troop train.
General Description
Arthur enlisted AIF Oct 1940 later joining ‘B’ Coy 7 Platoon. In Singapore on 1 Feb 1942 Arthur was promoted to Corporal of 7 Platoon.
Gerry was a member of ‘J’ Force transported from Singapore to Japan to a POW Camp at Kobe mid 1943. Some of the details of Kobe House are found at the story Kobe House, Japan
Also read about ‘J’ Force and ‘Wales Maru’
Above ‘Nobby’ Clarke WX9360 was at same camp in Japan.
___________
Prior to enlisting Jerry was wicket keeper for the WA Cricket Team.
‘Gerald Charles Arthur (25 July 1913 in Yarloop, Western Australia – 9 November 2008 in Gosnells, Western Australia) was an Australian cricketer who played three first-class matches as a middle-order batsman and wicket-keeper for Western Australia in 1937. Arthur played one match for the Western Australia Colts side against New South Wales in 1935 as a wicket-keeper.
All of his first-class matches came on a tour of the Eastern states of Australia during the 1937–38 season. On debut against Victoria he scored 4 and 27, batting at #4 in both innings. In his second match, also against Victoria, he played as a wicket-keeper, effecting four dismissals – three catches and a stumping – as well as being involved in two run outs. Arthur was replaced by usual keeper Ossie Lovelock for the final tour match, against South Australia at the Adelaide Oval. He made 10 and four batting at eight and nine in each innings respectively.’
Batting style Right-hand bat
Fielding position Wicketkeeper
‘Gerald Arthur played three times as a middle-order batsman for Western Australia in 1937-38. At the time, the state were not involved in the Sheffield Shield and their main cricket came when they undertook tours to the east. All three of Arthur’s games came on such a trip. He enjoyed little success, although he kept wicket in the second game against Victoria.‘
We believe Jerry never returned to first-class cricket.
Jerry’s parents Michael Thomas Arthur b. Victoria married 1898 Perth to Elizabeth Ann Rawlings, born Victoria.
They had a surviving family of 5 sons and one daughter. Jerry was the youngest born.
Jerry’s mother died 1969 at Manning aged 95 years and Jerry’s father died 28 Jan 1948 at Mt Lawely aged 74 years.
In 1947 Jerry married Gwendoline Chivers at Three Springs.
2/4th mates attended – John Leahy WX9312 from ‘B’ Coy (also ‘J’ Force Japan) and Sydney Hogben WX8984 ‘B’ Coy HQ – Burma Thai Railway with ‘D’ Force Thailand S Battalion & recovered from Niihama Japan at end of war.
Below: The Newsletter for ‘J’ Force.
In Electoral Roll before he went to Singapore, Jerry was living with his parents at 165 Railway Parade, East Perth. Jerry working as a labourer. Several of his siblings were also living at home with his parents because that was how it was! It was the Depression.
In 1954 Electoral Roll Jerry and Gwen are residing 58 Edgcombe St, South Perth, Jerry is a Tailor.
1964 Albany Highway, Armadale, working as a clerk.
1972 Jerry and Gwen are living Nightcliffe, Northern Territory. Jerry a clerk.
1977 they are living Lesmurdie, Jerry working as a Clerk.
1980 Jerry and Gwen are residing 15 Cootamunda Way, Maida Vale.
Jerry passed away 9 Nov 2009 at Gosnells, aged 95 years. Gwen Arthur died 22 Dec 2016 at Roleystone, aged 91 years.
Camp Locations:
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- Johore Bahru, - Malaysia
- Selarang Barracks Changi - Singapore
- Selarang Camp Changi - Singapore
- Kobe, Osaka #2-B - Japan ***
- Maibara, Osaka #10-B - Japan