The Soldier's Details

When ‘Aquitania’ dropped anchor off Fremantle for one night on 15th January on its way to Singapore, Frank Carroll was one of many men from 2/4th who went AWOL – all desperate to see their families for what could be the last time before they went to the battle front.  Frank was unable to reboard the ship before sailing the next day and was one of about 90 men remaining behind – he then sailed to Java and became part of ‘Blackforce’

For further reading please go to story

After being taken POW when Japan invaded Java, he was incarcerated at Bandeong Camp, Tjimahi, Bicycle camp Batavia.

Read further about Frank’s internment at Tjimahi.

Most of the 2/4th men who were at Batavia were sent via Singapore with work parties to Thailand.  Frank remained a POW on Java throughout the war.  We have no knowledge of his years spent there.  It would have been challenging not to have any close mates around as the majority of POWs in the last years were Dutch East Indians – Australian, American and British having all been shipped elsewhere with work parties.  We have to assume Frank was sick when these parties left.

Please read of the other 2/4th who remained Java

He was recovered from Batavia on 18 September 1945.

Robert Carroll and Maude Mary Hogg married Victoria in 1899.

Frank was born in York where his parents were farming at Mackie’s Crossing.  He was one of 3 sons and 6 daughters.

In 1931 Frank was living at Mackie’s Crossing, York, farming (with his family).   After the war Frank took up farming at Ongerup where he took the option of a  War Service Farm.

In 1936 Electoral Roll he was a station hand at Mullan, Marble Bar.

When he enlisted he had been working as an overseer at Warralong, Port Hedland since 1937.

In 1941 he married Veronica Kathleen Head known as Vera.  Frank and his wife had two children, however tragically their 6 year old daughter Robyn died in December 1953 in a farm accident for which Frank blamed himself. The death of a young child would have been a great burden for him to carry for the remainder of his life. (Robyn Frances died 4 December 1953 aged 6 1/2 years).

Frank died  20 August 1984 at Gnowangerup aged 76 years.

Veronica died 7 April 1999.    Frank, Veronica and Robyn are buried Gnowangerup Cemetery.

Vera and Frank also had a son Tom.

Frank’s nephew Simon Carroll, was able to confirm a little of the above details.  Simon’s father, that is Frank’s brother also enlisted and was in New Guinea when the war ended.  Excited at the prospect of seeing Frank, his brother discharged himself from Lucknow Hospital, Claremont, not caring too much about having the recommended plastic surgery for his injuries.

Simon Carroll recalls his uncle Frank had several finger nails missing and like many former POWs he smoked and drank quite a lot.

Frank’s sister Roberta Stanley-Lowe became involved with 2/4th Assoc. with Hospital visiting.   Refer The Beginning The Assoc.

Roberta died in Shenton Park November 1977.