The Soldier's Details

Legally adopted by Charles Edward Smith.

Roy Smith soldier was shell shocked at Ulu Pandan on 12/2/1942. Evacuated to St. Joseph’s Hospital on 13/2/1942. Discharged to unit on 20/2/1942.

He enlisted AIF May 1941 and joined 2/4th MGB’s ‘D’ Company 13 Platoon under CO Lt Wankey. Please read about 13 Platoon (although Roy’s name is not included it provides an outline of part of their Singapore Battle)

As a POW Roy was incarcerated at Selerang Camp Changi and left on work parties to Johore Bahru and Adam Park before returning to Selarang.

He left Singapore by train for the Burma Thai Railway with ‘D’ Force Thailand S Battalion  – which included a large number of 2/4th.

He worked at Tarsau, Kanu II, Kanu I back to Tarsau (probably Hospital) – then Tamarkan and Chungkai (also hospitals) before leaving on a work party to Nakom Chassi, Chumphon, Petchaburi and Kachu Mountain Camp where he was when the war ended.

You can read about Kachu Mountain Camp

View Peter Winstanley’s video interview of Roy Smith WX13552.

 

 

 

The above was included Daily News 12 Sep 1945 – there were messages and very short stories of other soldiers who had survived the war.

 

 

 

Born Lionel Charles Evans in Taunton, Somerton 1915 to parents John Evans and Annie Evans (nee Salter). He was one of four children who sailed on ‘Demonthenes’ from London 26 April 1924.   Cyril John 12 yrs, Edith 10 (she later married Miller in Albany), Doris 9 and Lionel 7 years.

We believe his father John Evans died in 1920 Taunton, England aged 33 years.

Supposedly, his Mother Annie Evans died Albany in 1924 aged 38 years. 

(Roy Smith recorded his married sister as his NOK on his AIF enlistment – Edith Miller of Albany.)

 

Roy married in Perth 1941 to Joyce Seddon.  (Regretfully, the Newspaper copy was unclear.)  Joyce’s parents lived Yarloop, and Roy’s adopted parents, the late Mr and Mrs Smith resided Denmark. It is though the couple did not have children.

Charles Edward Smith died and was buried Denmark 1936.

C E Smith was an active Denmark Community member.  He was mentioned often in the local news when prominent visitors came to town – taking them on his launch on the river and waterways.  He also owned business premises in the Town.

The Smith’s encouraged Roy’s interests – the family entering in the local Agricultural Show.

]

 

Charles Edward Smith died January 1936 at Denmark.

C 

 

 

 

 

Roy Smith of Menora, died 25 June 2009.  He  was buried Pinnaroo Cemetery aged 93 years.