The Soldier's Details
- Surname:
- Bamford
- First Name:
- Allan Wesley
- Rank:
- Corporal (Promoted 14.2.1942)
- Regimental #:
- WX 8485
- Classification:
- Clerk
- Company:
- Battalion Headquarters
- Enlisted:
- 18.10.1940
- Discharged:
- 8.01.1946
- DOB:
- 6.07.1913
- Place of Birth:
- Maylands, Western Australia
- Father's Name:
- Charles Edwin Bamford
- Mothers's Name:
- Daisy Bamford
- Religion:
- Church of England
- Pre-war Occupation:
- Accountant
- Singapore:
- Selarang Camp Changi
- Force:
- 'A' Force Burma, Green Force, No. 3 Battalioin.
- Camps Thailand:
- Tamarkan, Bangkok, Nacompaton
- Camps Burma:
- Khonkan 55km (evacuated from 105km Camp Aungganaung 19.11.1943 with tropical ulcer. Right leg amputated middle thigh on 22.11.1943)
- POW#:
- 2686
- Return Details 1945:
- Thailand-Singapore by aircraft, Singapore-Fremantle, HMT Tamaroa.
General Description
Prior to his enlistment Allan Bamford was employed at Wentworth Motors Ltd. He had four brothers who enlisted with the services – one was POW in Germany, two with RAN and another in the AIF in Australia.
He married several years before leaving for Singapore. His wife was fortunate to receive a card from Allan from Burma in which he indicated he was well and other POWs with him were Bruce Chapman WX7504 and Gus Erskine WX20164. Chapman died of illness September 1943 at Khonkan, 55 kilo Hospital aged 27 years and Erskine survived.
Allan Bamford was located to Nacompaton with other 2/4th amputees including Tom Barbour, Syd Gorringe and Eric Ryan.
Nacompaton was located about 30 miles west of Bangkok. Besides many amputees, POWs were sent to this camp to build up their strength following the completion of the Railway. As their health improved slightly POWs were called out of Nacompaton in work parties.
Read further about Nacompaton Hospital Camp.
When Japan surrendered in August 1945, Nacompaton became an Allied Forces collection centre for ex-POWs who were either moved out via Bangkok to Singapore direct or via Rangoon to Singapore.
Also read about mail being received in WA
Allan’s father Charles Edwin Bamford, served with the 28th Battalion (Regimental Number 5558), and was killed at Bullecourt, France on May 3, 1917.
September 1945
Camp Locations:
- Selarang Camp Changi - Singapore
- Nacompaton, Nakom Pathom Hospital - Thailand
- Tamarkan, Tha Makham 56k - Thailand
- Aungganaung,105Kilo - Burma
- Khonkan, 55Kilo Hospital 360k - Burma
- Bangkok - Thailand
