The Soldier's Details

Surname:
Hambley
First Name:
Albert James
Rank:
Private
Regimental #:
WX10745
Classification:
Signaller
Company:
Headquarters Company, No 1 Platoon
Enlisted:
15.01.1941
Discharged:
24.01.1946
DOB:
2.11.1921
Place of Birth:
Mount Barker, Western Australia
Father's Name:
Sidney Ernest Hambley
Mothers's Name:
Anne Hambley
Religion:
Methodist
Pre-war Occupation:
Farmhand
Singapore:
Selarang Camp Changi
Force:
'A' Force Burma, Green Force No. 3 Battalion
Camps Thailand:
Tamarkan
Camps Burma:
Victoria Point, Kendau 4.8km,
Camps Japan:
Fukuoka sub-Camp No. 17
POW#:
1742, 1455 and 136
Japan:
Awa Maru Party, Kumi No. 40
Return Details 1945:
Nagasaki-Manila, details unknown; Manila-Morotai-Darwin-Perth, B24 Liberator aircraft A72-379

General Description

Albert Hambley was AWOL at Fremantle from ‘Aquitania’ on 15 January 1942,  however he was very fortunate to re-board at 0900 hours on morning 16 January prior to ‘Aquitania’ departing for Singapore.  We are sure he thought the 40/- shilling fine was worth his effort!  Especially as about 90 men were left behind, some because they had been ‘locked up’ and unable to get out and others were unable to find transport to the ‘Aquitania’.
Hambley was wounded in action 10/2/1942 and admitted to 2/13th Australian General Hospital with a shrapnel wound to his back.  Discharged to unit on 23/2/1942.
Following the battle and surrender of Singapore, Hambley was selected with the first work force to leave Singapore – 3,000 Australians POWs sailed from Singapore to south west Burma coastline with ‘A’ Force Burma, Green Force No. 3 Battalion.

Please read further about this Force.

Also please read about ‘Awa’ Maru 

Ernest Edgar is nephew to William Ernest Clothier WX10739.

Please read further.

 

Changi  15.2.1942 – 15.5.1942

Burma  20.5.1942 – 22.3.1944 (105k Camp)   At Tamarkan, Thailand selected for Japan 27/3/1944.

Indo-China  8.4.1944 – 26.6.1944

Back to Singapore 6.7.1944 – 16.12.1944 left on Awa Maru

Japan 16.1.1945 – 15.9.1945 (Fukuoka Camp No. 17, Omuta)

Albert Hambley’s records show he was recovered from Fukuoka No. 17 Omuta in 13 September 1945 and taken to a Recovery Camp. On 7 October Hambley was emplaned Manila for Australia.  On 11th October he was admited to 110 (P)MH Darwin suffering with malnutrition. Thereafter he was transferred to hospital, Perth.

Hambley’s Affidavit about Omuta Camp, Japan.

You can read further about this horror camp.

__________

 

 

Albert Hambley died 27th March 1984.
He is younger brother to Ernest Edgar Hambley WX4991 who enlisted July 1940.   Albert and Ernest returned home.
Albert was residing in Mt. Barker when he enlisted.  His address recorded was “Hill View” Mt Barker and he returned there after the war.
Albert enlisted same day as his Uncle William Ernest Clothier WX10739.  Albert and William joined Headquarters as Signallers.

 

 

 

 

 

Camp Locations:

  • Selarang Camp Changi - Singapore
  • Tamarkan, Tha Makham 56k - Thailand
  • Aungganaung,105Kilo - Burma
  • Kendau, Kandaw, 4 Kilo - Burma
  • Saigon - French Indo China
  • Omuta Miike, Fukuoka #17-B - Japan
  • Victoria Point, Kawthoung - Burma. \'A\' Force, Green Force No. 3 Btn
  • Thetkaw 14 Kilo - Burma
  • Kyondaw 95 Kilo Camp – Burma
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