The Soldier's Details
- Surname:
-
Briggs
- First Name:
-
John Arthur
- Rank:
-
Lance Sergeant
- Regimental #:
-
WX5050
- Classification:
-
Driver
- Company:
-
Headquarters Company
- Enlisted:
-
23.07.1940
- DOB:
-
22.08.1914
- Place of Birth:
-
North Perth, Western Australia
- Father's Name:
-
Frederick George Briggs
- Mothers's Name:
-
Edith Briggs
- Religion:
-
Church of England
- Pre-war Occupation:
-
Motor Mechanic
- Memorial:
-
Thanbyuzayat War Cemetery, Plot A8, Row B, Grave 20, Age 29.
- Singapore:
-
Selarang Barracks Changi
- Force:
-
‘A’ Force Burma, Green Force No. 3 Battalion
- Camps Burma:
-
Vicrtoria Point, Kendau 4.8km, Thetkaw, Aungganaung, Khonkan
- POW#:
-
2723
- Cause of Death:
-
Post Leg Amputation
- Place of Death:
-
Khonkan 55km Hospital Camp
- Date of Death:
-
11.09.1943
- Buried:
-
Grave No. 136, Khonkan
General Description
Soldier was evacuated to Khonkan 55km Camp from Aungganaung 105km Camp with a tropical ulcer to his ankle.
Following amputation he died 11 September 1943 aged 29 years.
Another 2/4th boy died of his amputation the same day at Khonkan Camp, WX7504 Bruce Chapman. Khonkan 55km camp was headed up by Dr. Albert Coates and he was the doctor who performed most of the amputations.
Records show John Briggs married in 1940 Petersham, NSW to Annie Miller Murray Ferguson. His younger brother Roy Albert Briggs enlisted on 6 August 1940 just a few months before John enlisted.
Their father Frederick George Briggs died in Perth 1961 aged 82 years and it is possible their mother Edith died in 1942.
However, we unfortunately know little else about his life.
John’s younger brother Roy Briggs WX7329 who was in ‘B’ Company. Roy Briggs was with ‘D’ Force S Battalion and was recovered from Thailand at the end of the war.
Camp Locations:
- Selarang Barracks Changi - Singapore
- Aungganaung,105Kilo - Burma
- Kendau, Kandaw, 4 Kilo - Burma
- Khonkan, 55Kilo Hospital 360k - Burma
- Victoria Point, Kawthoung - Burma. \'A\' Force, Green Force No. 3 Btn
- Thetkaw 14 Kilo - Burma
