The Soldier's Details
- Surname:
- O’Sullivan
- First Name:
- Bernard Matthew
- Nick Name:
- Bernie
- Rank:
- Lieutenant
- Regimental #:
- WX9390
- Company:
- Attached 2/4th Reinforcement Officer (Taken on Strength 10.9.1941) Headquarters Company (RQM from 8.2.1942)
- Enlisted:
- 16.11.1940
- Discharged:
- 6.12.1945
- DOB:
- 9.11.1920
- Place of Birth:
- Leederville, Western Australia
- Father's Name:
- Leonard John O’Sullivan
- Mothers's Name:
- Jennie O’Sullivan
- Religion:
- Roman Catholic
- Pre-war Occupation:
- Judge’s Associate
- Singapore:
- Selarang Camp Changi; Serangoon Road Camp; Sime Road Camp; Selerang Barracks Changi. Following return from Thailand - Sime Road Camp; Selerang Barracks Changi; Changi Gaol Camp.
- Force:
- H' Force Thailand, ‘H’ Force Group No. 3
- Camps Thailand:
- Malay Hamlet,
- POW#:
- 4/4114
- Return Details 1945:
- Singapore‐Perth, Duke of Gloucester’s aircraft ‘Endeavour’.
General Description
Read about 1945 return of O’Sullivan
Appointment Terminated 6/12/1945
Please read about 2/4th lawyers on Burma-Thai Railway.
Post war Bernie worked for a period as the Associate to Chief Justice Sir John Dwyer. He subsequently studied and passed the examinations for appointment as a magistrate. In 1953 he was appointed Magistrate at Cue. There followed time at Kalgoorlie, Narrogin, Northam and Perth. In 1967 he was appointed Chief Industrial Commissioner, retiring in 1981. For some 30 years he was President of the West Australian Football League Tribunal. Bernie, having been a Legacy Ward himself, was an active member of Legacy for many years. As a younger man he was involved in athletics and continued his association with the sport after the war. Bernie was awarded the Order of Australia in 1985. He passed away in 1997 aged 75.
Bernie had enlisted pre-war with 28th Battalion Militia.
In 1943 Bernie was selected in Singapore to work on the Burma-Thai Railway with ‘H’ Force Group 3. This was an all-Australian force under the command of Lt.-Col R.F. Oakes. Major Bert Saggers was appointed second in command and in charge of the group’s pay and records.
Read further about ‘H’ Force Group 3
Bernie was awarded the Order of Australia in 1985.
In 1992 he headed up a Committee to enlarge the Sandakan Boyup Brook Memorial, originally established by Ted O’Loughlin, to include the names of all West Australian who perished there.
Bernie was invited to address the Inaugural Boyup Brook Sandkan Service in 1991. He again gave the address 1992 and 1993.
Bern remained an active member of the 2/4th Assoc.
Please read about Sandakan Mermorial Bouyp Brook
He died in 1996 aged 75.
Camp Locations:
- Changi Gaol Camp - Singapore
- Selarang Barracks Changi - Singapore
- Selarang Camp Changi - Singapore
- Serangoon Road Camp - Singapore
- Sime Road Camp - Singapore
- Malay Hamlet 153.00km - Thailand
