The Soldier's Details

Phil enlisted AIF May 1941 as a mechanic.  He joined AAOC as a motor transport fitter.  He had diminished eyesight from a young age and was told he was never to use a weapon, he was only suitable for motor mechanic work.

During the battle for Singapore he dissappointed his superior officer when ordered to climb a tree as a lookout and Phil had to refuse because he knew he could not see let alone shoot anybody.

From Singapore he joined the first work party to leave Singapore, ‘A’ Force Burma, Green Force No. 3 Battalion – they were to ultmately begin work on the Burma end of the Burma-Thai Railway.

Please read about A Force Burma

We cannot be absioutely clear about which camps Phil was working at – those recorded are just general for this work force.  From Thailand the Party was sent by train via Bangkok to French Indo China, to Saigon & then back again to Singapore where the POWs remained at the River Valley Transport Camp waiting for their ship.

Phil had the misfortune to join what would become known as the ‘Rauyo’ Maru Party to be sent from Singapore to Moji, Japan.  Phil was however one of the lucky few to survive long enough in the South China Sea waters to be miraculously rescued after their POW transport ship was torpedoed and sank in 12 Sept 1944.

Read the story Members of 2/4th nominated for Medal but not awarded.

And the story Surviving the Sinking of the Rakuyo Maru written by Roy Cornford NX44955 of the 2/19th Battalion, courtesy of Peter Winstanley.

 

Read about the other men of 2/4th who were rescued.

 

Phil married 1941 to Lily Gladys Whyte a few days after enlisting.

 

 

 

Phil and Lloyd Hadden from 2/4th attend Hadden’s younger brother Ron’s wedding.

 

 

 

Phil’s eyesight deteriorated during his time in the South China Sea requiring further medical assistance.

Please listen to IWM’s interview in 2002.

Phil’s father was employed as a Postmaster – the family moved to several country towns including Big Bell.  Finally the family settled in Claremont.  His father had enlisted WW1 when Phil was about 4 years.    He was forced to return to Australia due to ill health.

Due to his poor eye sight due to an illness, Phil chose to be mechanic.  The only reason he was accepted in AIF was because they were short of mechanics -the doctor told Phil he was never to use a weapon due to his very limited vision.

Phil’s mother Agnes died June 1946 Claremont aged 74 years. His father Albert died Dec 1953 Dalkeith aged 83 years.

Phil passed away aged 95yrs, April 28 2006, at Dalkeith, WA aged 95 years.  His wife Lily Beilby died 5 Jul 2005 aged 91 years.