The Soldier's Details

Harry enlisted AIF Aug 1940, later joining 2/4th MGB Headquarters Company No. 2 Platoon.

This Platoon had five men who were AWOL at Fremantle not able to re-board ‘Aquitania’  when she sailed for Singapore on 16 Jan 1942.   There were 20 men in the original Platoon.  There were 7 reinforcements .

During the Battle of Singapore No.  2 Platoon’s Commanding Officer Royce, was killed as was Bill Innes, one of two Platoon Sergeants.

Harry was selected with the first Work Party to leave Singapore – ‘A’ Force Burma, Green Force No. 3 Battalion with 3,000 Australian POWs which sailed to southern coast of Burma departing May 1942.  Please read further about Green Force.

Harry is seated 2nd from Left.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Above:  Mrs Reilly’s death. Harry worked at Reillys at one time.  She was mother to  daughters and 6 sons, including Joe who was a mate to Harry.  There were several brothers playing in the cricket team.

 

 

Funeral service conducted by Padre (R.C.) Matheson.

Soldier was a Kingsley Fairbridge Farm Schoolboy.  Harry Scaddan arrived in Australia 21/3/1926 on ‘Berrima’ aged 12 years.  He was housed in Wolfe.  His father had died and his mother was unable to take care of Harry and his sister.

His sister pursued her interests and talent in ballet of which Harry was most proud.  His future plans included returning to England to see his mother and sister.

Harry was a noted sports boy at Fairbridge.  His name is recorded in athletic events with John Ramsbottom (also 2/4th).  He continued his sporting interests during his working life at Boyanup.

In 1935 he was working at Boyanup for W. Smith, Esq.

In 1936 Harry was working at “Bellaranga” Station, Arrino (small town located between Mingenew and Three Springs).

He appears to have maintained close ties with Fairbridge (as most probably did) – returning there for his annual holidays, etc.

The magazine “The Fairbridgian” 1936 records Harry attending the Mandurah Summer camp in 1936 as well as Christmas Day at Fairbridge.   Another 2/4th boy present was Ted Leadbitter.  Social notes mentioned Harry participated musically, he played the drums.

Photograph from Fairbridge days.

Harry’s war medals were sent to his mother Mrs Winnie Scaddan, 148 Ush Road, St John’s Hill, London, England.

 

Photograph taken January 2018 – flowers laid by Cheryl Mellor, daughter of ‘Cowboy’ Matthews in memory of a Fairbridge Kid who had so much potential and died in Thailand 1944 aged 29 years.

When the Railway was completed al POWs working on the Burma end of Railway including Harry’s Green Force Burma, No. 3 Battalion were sent south  after end December 1943 to Thailand by various means of travel.  Those who were ill suffered further.  It was a terrible trip mostly by train, the sick men were without food, water and medical care.

Harry was sent to Tamarkan Hospital Camp, Thailand and it was here he died of cerebral malaria on 22 April 1944.

 

Below:  Hockey & note the Reilly girls.

Below:  Harry playing Hockey Grand Final 1938

Below:  Harry’s tennis

 

 

 

Harry was a player in 2/4th Cricket Team.