The Soldier's Details
- Surname:
- Watson
- First Name:
- Ronald Leslie James
- Nick Name:
- Ron
- Rank:
- Pte
- Regimental #:
- WX4131
- Company:
- D Coy 2/3rd MGB
- Enlisted:
- 15.06.1940
- DOB:
- 23.07.1919
- Place of Birth:
- Wagin WA
- Father's Name:
- Watson Harry
- Religion:
- Baptist
- Pre-war Occupation:
- Farmer
- Camps Thailand:
- Hintock
- POW#:
- 6857 Thailand.
- Place of Death:
- Hintock, Thailand
- Date of Death:
- 13.06.1943
- Buried:
- Kanchanaburi Cemetery Row J, Plot 1, Grave 27.
General Description
These 2/3rd soldiers disembarked Batavia (Java) – left to support the Dutch East Indies. They were all taken POW of Japan about 8 March 1942 and imprisoned in several POW camps.
Watson was amongst the large number of POWs who sailed from Java via Singapore to work on the Burma-Thai Railway with Dunlop Force Java No. 6 Battalion under leadership of Weary Dunlop. Please read further about this work force
Weary Dunlop recorded Watson’s death in his diary on 13 June 1943 at Hintok Mountain Camp. On 17 June Weary Dunlop wrote the weather was much improved. Crosses 4″ x 1″ in stout teak wood have been erected over the graves of Ptes Edwards, Couzens and Watson, graves No 11, 12 and 13.
The above information was from “The War Diaries of Weary Dunlop” Java and Burma Thai Railway.
Above: Kinsaiyok Cemetery includes several West
Australian 2/3rd. Watson died 15 June 1943 dysentery. Other 2/3rd West Australians to die of dysentery at Kinsayok include Dawe and Robinson.
Withnell, Rainbird, Todd, Jenkins and Holland died of Cholera at the same camp within a matter of days.
The men would have known each other well since enlistment and especially since the beginning of POW confinement.
Below: Wagin’s 25th Light Horse Regt included Ron Watson.
Below: Ron and Stewart Davies return to Wagin on sick leave.
Below: 2/3rd’s Mort Holland and Ron Watson did not survive WW2.
Below: news of Wagin boys with 2/3rd MGB.
Below: Ron was a Wagin Boy.
Below: Ron’s mother died May 1941.
