The Soldier's Details
- Surname:
- MacKay
- First Name:
- William
- Nick Name:
- Bill/Billy
- Rank:
- Private
- Regimental #:
- WX7138
- Company:
- 'C' Company, 10 Platoon
- Enlisted:
- 1.08.1940
- DOB:
- 2.07.1908
- Place of Birth:
- Colspie, Scotland
- Father's Name:
- Hugh McKay
- Mothers's Name:
- Sarah McKay
- Religion:
- Presbyterian
- Pre-war Occupation:
- Prospector
- Memorial:
- Kanchanaburi War Cemetery, Plot 1, Row L, Grave 56, Age 35.
- Singapore:
- Selarang Camp and Barracks Changi
- Force:
- 'D' Force Thailand V Battalion
- Camps Thailand:
- Tarsau, Brankassi
- POW#:
- 1/8536 & 2276
- Cause of Death:
- Acute Enteritis
- Place of Death:
- Brankassi
- Date of Death:
- 23.09.1943
- Buried:
- Grave No. 68, Brankassi
General Description
Above: Chris McLennan, Bill McKay and Alex McLennan
Photograph taken Jan 2018 Kanchanaburi War Cemetery
As a POW at Selarang, Singapore McKay was selected with ‘B’ Force Thailand V Battalion to work on Burma-Thai Railway. V Battalion departed Singapore Railway Station for a 4-5 day crowded journey to Bampong, Thailand.
V Battalion endured a very high casualty rate with many lives lost to tropical illnesses and very very challenging work/living conditions.
Please read further.
Tragically Bill McKay died 23 Sept 1943 of acute enteritis at Hindaine Camp, Thailand aged 35 years.
Bill was born 1908 Golspie, Scotland to parents Hugh McKay and Sarah Mcangus. Sarah died of illness aged 44 years in 1918. His father died Scotland in 1957.
We know he had a brother in Perth, Jock and his wife Ivy. Unfortunately we have no further details about the McKay family.
Bill arrived from London on 16 July 1929 on ‘Balranald’ to Fremantle at the age of 18 years. His occupation was recorded as farm labourer.
In 1936 and 1937 Electoral Rolls he was recorded residing
Daveyhurst, Mt Magnet working as a prospector. Davyhurst was established about 1900 and has had several operating gold mines since then.
When he enlisted he was recorded residing at Ora Banda, Mr Magnet.
Bill was a close mate of Frank Halbert WX8250 also from the Goldfields. Halbert and McKay were with ‘C’ Coy, 10th Platoon. Halbert died of cholera on 4 June 1943 with ‘F’ Force at Shimo Sonnkurai, Thailand aged 35 years.
He was also mates with WX6155 Paddy Byrne who had been working as a miner (also 10 Platoon). Byrne arrived Java (one of about 99 2/4th) having missed ‘Aquitania’ to Singapore. In Java he became ill, admitted to hospital from 18 Feb to 25 Feb 1942. Paddy was evacuated out with other patients on virutually the last ship from Java, and sailed to Ceylon. He was then sent to Australia. Paddy died in a mining accident at Boulder in 1951 aged 57 years.
Leo Patrick (Paddy) Byrne was also in ‘C’ Coy , 10 Platoon with McKay.
Camp Locations:
- Selarang Camp Changi - Singapore
- Brankassi, Prang Kasi, 208k - Thailand
