The Soldier's Details
- Surname:
- Thomas
- First Name:
- Archibald William
- Nick Name:
- Archie
- Rank:
- Captain
- Regimental #:
- WX3424
- Company:
- ‘A’ Company Headquarters
- Enlisted:
- 21.11.1940
- Discharged:
- 11.12.1945
- DOB:
- 8.08.1904
- Place of Birth:
- Fremantle, Western Australia
- Father's Name:
- Horace Thomas
- Mothers's Name:
- Elizabeth Thomas
- Religion:
- Presbyterian
- Pre-war Occupation:
- Bank Officer
- Singapore:
- Selarang Camp Changi
- Force:
- ‘ A’ Force Burma, Green Force, No. 3 Battalion.
- Camps Thailand:
- Tamarkan, Chungkai, Bangkok, Nacompaton, Bangkok
- Camps Burma:
- Victoria Point, Kendau 4.8km, Thetkaw 14km, Meiloe 75km, Aunggaaung 105km, Reptu 30km Camp
- POW#:
- 1287
- Return Details 1945:
- Bangkok-Rangoon by aircraft, Rangoon-Singapore, HMT Highland Brigade, Singapore‐Darwin‐Perth by aircraft.
General Description
Thomas was a former Scotch College Student
He enlisted AIF Nov 1940. Thomas later joined 2/4th MGB becoming Captain and CO of ‘A’ Coy when Major Saggers took command of ‘E’ Coy SRB.
In ‘Ghosts of Khaki’ Thomas wrote from Sydney as they prepared to depart for Fremantle and ultimately Singapore.
Saturday 10t January 1942: Paraded for an inpection by Lord Gowrie. The reinforcement troops were now aboard as were some sailors, airmen, nurses and civilians returning from Malaya returning to join the Malayan Forces. A lot of our equipment that had been left behind on the Marella and the Westralia during transhipment to the Aquitania had been replaced by Eastern Command.
We sail at 14.00 hours our escort HMAS Canberra.
Sunday 11th January 1942: Very Calm day. Church Parade. Passed very close to Wilsons Promontory. Received our embarkation comforts today – pair socks, pair of stockings, 3 handkerchiefs, packet of razor blades, toothpaste and packet of barley sugar.
Monday 12th January 1942: We are now well into the bight – sea calm, weather cold. Instructions on the Bren gum and an introduction to the Tommy Gun (Thompson Sub Machine Gun).
Wednesday 14th January 1942: Ship is rolling a bit, I think we are now approaching the Leeuwin. We will be in Fremantle at 8 o’clock tomorrow.
__________
Archie had married May Piper about 1927.
His father Horace Thomas died in 1933. His mother Elizabeth Thomas (nee Tudehope) died in 1935 England.
This Officer was appointed as Commanding Officer of ‘A’ Company on Major Saggers taking command of the Special Reserve Battalion in 1942, Singapore.
Officer’s Appointment Terminated 11/12/1945.
Height 5′ 11″
Thomas was selected as a POW Singapore with ‘A’ Force Burma, Green Force No. 3 Battalion to work on the Burma-Thai Railway.
He was at Reptu Hospital Camp – however it is unknown whether he was sick or working there.
‘A’ Force story
When the rail link was completed about end of 1943, the Japanese sent all POWs working on Burma end of railway to Thailand, to one of several large camps.
Thomas was sent to Tamarkan, later Chungkai, Bangkok, and was at Nacompaton when the war ended. From Bangkok he took a flight to Rangoon. From Rangoon sailed ‘Highland Brigade’ to Singapore.
Archibald William Thomas died Victoria Park 1 Jan 1976 aged 71 years.
Camp Locations:
- Selarang Camp Changi - Singapore
- Nacompaton, Nakom Pathom Hospital - Thailand
- Tamarkan, Tha Makham 56k - Thailand
- Aungganaung,105Kilo - Burma
- Kendau, Kandaw, 4 Kilo - Burma
- Meilo, 75 Kilo, 340k - Burma
- Reptu, Retphaw, 30Kilo 385k - Burma
- Bangkok - Thailand
- Victoria Point, Kawthoung - Burma. \'A\' Force, Green Force No. 3 Btn
- Thetkaw 14 Kilo - Burma
