The Soldier's Details
- Surname:
- Brennan
- First Name:
- Maurice John
- Nick Name:
- Chum
- Rank:
- Corporal
- Regimental #:
- WX9031
- Classification:
- Chiropodist
- Company:
- Battalion Headquarters
- Enlisted:
- 25.10.1940
- DOB:
- 5.07.1913
- Place of Birth:
- Perth, Western Australia
- Father's Name:
- George Brennan
- Mothers's Name:
- Mary Brennan (nee Herlihey)
- Religion:
- Roman Catholic
- Pre-war Occupation:
- Labourer
- Memorial:
- Kanchanaburi War Cemetery, Plot 1, Row 0, Grave 70, Age 30.
- Singapore:
- Selarang Camp and Barracks Changi
- Force:
- 'D' Force Thailand, V Battalion
- Camps Thailand:
- Kinsaiyok, Brankassi, Hindaine, Kuii
- POW#:
- 4/4451 & 2211
- Cause of Death:
- Beri-Beri
- Place of Death:
- Kuii Camp
- Date of Death:
- 27.09.1943
- Buried:
- Grave No.182, Kuii.
General Description
Brennan enlisted AIF Oct 1940 and later joined 2/4th’s Battalion Headquarters – he was classified as Chiropodist (primarily to treat foot disorders) and Corporal with Pimlott to Commanding Officer Lt-Col Michael Anketell.
Please read about D Force Thailand, V Battalion and Kuii
Maurice was selected in Singapore to work on the Burma-Thai Railway with ‘D’ Force V Battalion which departed by train for Bampong, Thailand on 17 March, 1943.
At Bampong the men stayed at Komna Transit Camp nearby before setting out for Kanchanaburi where the men met up with Cough. Please read further about V Battalion which was to endure the highest death rate of ‘D’ Force – 50%. Maurice was one of 21 men from 2/4th who died at Kuii.
Maurice John (Chum) married Agnes Smart Scott about 1938.
His parents George Brennan and Mary Herlihey married in 1911 in Perth. Maurice was the eldest of three sons and four daughters.
Records show Maurice worked for WAGR from 1936 and 1937. He worked at both the Midland and Perth Stations. During this time he was living with his parents at 43 Smith Street, North Perth. It appears he remained working for the WAGR after he married.
Camp Locations:
- Selarang Barracks Changi - Singapore
- Selarang Camp Changi - Singapore
- Brankassi, Prang Kasi, 208k - Thailand
- Hindaine, Kui Mang 200k - Thailand
- Kuii, Kui Yae, 185.6k - Thailand
- Kinsaiyok Jungle No.2 Camp, 167.7Km - Thailand
