The Soldier's Details
- Surname:
- Barrymore
- First Name:
- Frederick Markwell
- Nick Name:
- Bill
- Rank:
- Private
- Regimental #:
- WX9589
- Classification:
- Driver
- Company:
- ‘D‘ Company, No. 15 Platoon
- Enlisted:
- 4.12.1940
- DOB:
- 2.09.1908
- Place of Birth:
- Peppermint Grove, Western Australia
- Father's Name:
- Frederick William Barrymore
- Mothers's Name:
- Cora Henrietta Barrymore
- Religion:
- Church of England
- Pre-war Occupation:
- Traveller
- Memorial:
- Kanchanaburi War Cemetery, Plot 1, Row F, Grave 47, Age 35.
- Singapore:
- Selarang Camp and Barracks Changi
- Force:
- ‘D’ Force Thailand V Battallion
- Camps Thailand:
- Kuii
- POW#:
- 2221
- Cause of Death:
- Malaria
- Place of Death:
- Non Pladuk, Hospital Camp No. 2
- Date of Death:
- 21.12.1943
- Buried:
- Non Pladuk Grave No. 1
General Description
Bill enlisted AIF 4 Dec 1940 and later joined 2/4th’s D Coy 15 Platoon under Commanding Officer Lt Meiklejohn.
Barrymore was a Driver with Platoon 16 ‘D’ Coy 2/4th, stationed on northwest coast of Singapore for the Japanese invasion. He was wounded in action on 9.2.1942, then made his way to General Base Depot and was admitted to 2/13th Australian General Hospital on 10.2.1942 with shrapnel wounds to his left arm and chest. Discharged to unit on 21.2.1942.
Please read about ‘D’ Company 15 Platoon.
Bill was selected from Singapore to work on the Burma-Thai Railway with ‘D’ Force V Battalion which endured heavy loss of life. He became seriously ill with malaria at Kuii Camp and was evacuated to Non Pladuk Hospital Camp No. 2 where he tragically died on 21 December 1943 aged 35 years. Initially buried at Non Pladuk his body was moved to Kanchanaburi War Cemetery after the war. There are 92 men from 2/4th at this cemetery.
Frederick Markwell Barrymore was one of four children born to Frederick William Barrymore and Cora Henrietta Markwell. Barrymore had three sisters , Edith Annette and Elwyn.
Please read further about ‘D’ Force V Battalion
In 1941 Barrymore married Esme ‘Katherine’ Markwell. His mother had died in 1939 and his father died in 1940.
Photograph taken Kanchanaburi War Cemetery January 2018.
Barrymore resided 7 Stone Street, South Perth on enlistment.
Above: Of interest is ‘Wedderburn’ (also named Invercloy) was built early 1900s, a two story imposing house on large grounds sits on Great Eastern Highway. The Barry family purchased this property in 1928 and probably remained until Mr Barry’s death in 1942 or thereabouts.
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Bill’s grandmother died in 1916. His father Fred was one of three sons.
Brother Hugh was a Solicitor.
Fred was involved in businesses and Fremantle Chamber of Commerce amongst other things.
In 1928, Annette Barrymore, sister of Bill died.
In 1939 Bill Barrymore’s mother died.
Bill’s father died in 1940.
Below: In 1951 Bill’s widow Esme announces her forthcoming marriage
Camp Locations:
- Selarang Barracks Changi - Singapore
- Selarang Camp Changi - Singapore
- Kuii, Kui Yae, 185.6k - Thailand
