Ranau No. 1 Camp following First Sandakan to Ranau Death march.
Date of Death:
11.03.1945
Buried:
No. 1 Camp Cemetery, Ranau
General Description
Tom Dorizzi was wounded in action at Bouna Vista on 15.2.1942. Admitted to 2/13th Australian General Hospital with a shrapnel wound to his right leg on 15.2.1942. Discharged to unit on 23.2.1942.
Tom Dorrizi was eldest of the Dorrizi boys from Toodyay. He was the last to enlist AIF 14 May 1941, later joining 2/4th’s ‘A’ Coy, No. 6 Platoon with Gordon, both were Drivers.
He was married to Harriett Ellen Maude (Nellie) Smith, his brother in law Jack Baker WX9367 was married to sister of Harriett, Sylvia (Joyce) Smith. Jack was one of Tom’s good mates.
Tom and Harriett had another daughter, Geraldine.
Below: Maude Hilda Smith, mother of Nell Dorizzi and Joyce Baker died in 1939.
Tom was a talented all-round sportsman. His name was mentioned with swimming, cycling and other sports. His wife Nellie with her sisters Joyce, Colleen and June were talented and keen hockey players.
Tom was selected with ‘E’ Force Borneo whilst his brothers Gordon and Bert went to Borneo with ‘B’ Force. Tom died about a month after the death of his 2 younger brothers.
He died at Ranau No. 1 Camp. Borneo.
Bert and Tom left Sandakan on 28 January 1945 with first group on the First March.
After Segindai the track which had been rising and falling since leaving Paginatan now climbed very steeply for next 7 km. 2/4th mate Bob Chipperfield died 8 km from Segindai on 11 February 1945. Herb died on the same day 11 February 1945 1.5km further and about 20 miles away from Ranau. Tom Dorizzi was on same march. He could do nothing for his brother. He took Herb’s tags, intending to take them home to Australia. Of course he did not know Gordon Dorizzi who remained behind at Sandakan with malaria, also died on 11 February 1945.
DORIZZI Gordon & Bert & Tom
Dorizzi T
Dorizzi, TH
DORIZZI, Private, THOMAS HENRY, WX12884, A.I.F. 2/4 M.G. Bn., Australian Infantry. 11 March 1945. Age 31. Son of Thomas John and Mary Ann Dorizzi, of Mungarin, Western Australia; husband of Harriett Ellen Maude Dorizzi, of Tooday, Western Australia. Panel 18.
Labuan Memorial, Malaysia.
Dorizzi Thomas Western Mail February 1948
Dorizzi Brothers
The above plaque was placed in the Honour Avenue, Kings Park.
