The Soldier's Details
- Surname:
- Davies
- First Name:
- Gustave
- Nick Name:
- Gus
- Rank:
- Private
- Regimental #:
- WX20086
- Company:
- 'E' Company, Special Reserve Battalion, No. 1 Platoon
- Enlisted:
- 1.10.1941
- DOB:
- 22.10.1921
- Place of Birth:
- Monmouthshire, Pontypool, Wales
- Father's Name:
- Charles Davies
- Mothers's Name:
- Agnes Mabel Davies (nee Rapson)
- Religion:
- Church of England
- Pre-war Occupation:
- Farmhand
- Memorial:
- Epitaph, Singapore Memorial, Column 136, Age 20.
- Cause of Death:
- Died of Wounds
- Place of Death:
- Buona Vista. Soldier had been listed as missing following the ambush at South-West Bukit Timah on 11/2/1942.
- Date of Death:
- 15.02.1942
General Description
Gus Davies enlisted AIF 1 Oct 1941. He was selected at end of Dec 41 as one of 146 reinforcements for 2/4th MGB to sail to Singapore. Half of these men joiined other platoons and half made up E Company. Gus was in No. 1 Platoon E Coy, under CO Harry Green.
It is believed Gus Davies survived the ambush at South-West Bukit Timah on 11.2.1942 when ‘E’ Company ran into a Japanese ambush. Only 88 of the 200 man Company survived.
Tragically, his luck ran out when ordered to hold the Japanese around the last stand at Singapore city. He was KIA on 15 Feb 1942 at the battle at Buona Vista, during the final stages of war .
Please read further about ‘E’ Company
Gustave Davies was a Kingsley Fairbridge Farm Schoolboy. He sailed from London in a party of 39 children on Balranald and arrived in Fremantle aged 11 years on 14/11/1932. On the same 1932 journey was Ronald Burchell WX14023 also KIA 11.2.1942 at S-W Bukit Timah aged 21 years and Ron’s brother.
Gustave was housed at ‘Kitchener’ at Fairbridge.
Gus enlisted AIF 22 Nov 1941. Less than three months later, Gus as a reinforcement to 2/4th and with ‘E’ Company, Special Reserve Battalion, DOW Singapore 15 Feb 1942. The same day as the Allied Surrender to Japan.
Gustave died at age 20 as did another Fairbridge boy, Patrick George Hurst WX17351 in the same battle with same Company.
Below: it is quite possible Gus was included in this photo of Fairbridge boys who were reinforcements to 2/4th MGB – and departed Fremantle on ‘Aquitania’ 15 Jan 1942 for Singapore.
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Gus’s parents Charles A Davies and Agnes Mabel Rapson married March 1920 Pontypool, Monmouthshire, Wales. Gustave had an older brother Charles Allan born 1920 and younger sister Ursula who was born 1924.
His father Charles Davies died Sep 1931 Pontypool, Monmouthshire. His mother Agnes died in NSW, Australia in 1974. Agnes had gone to Australia with her son Charles who died in 1991. It is not known if Agnes kept in contact with Gus.
Below: ‘Balranald’ Passenger List arriving Fremantle 4 Nov 1932. Gus was 11 years old.
