The Soldier's Details
- Surname:
- Toms
- First Name:
- Frederick William
- Nick Name:
- Fred
- Rank:
- Private
- Regimental #:
- WX7664
- Company:
- ‘C’ Company
- Enlisted:
- 10.08.1940
- DOB:
- 28.08.1904
- Place of Birth:
- Aldershot, England
- Father's Name:
- Septimus Toms
- Mothers's Name:
- Minnie Toms (nee Garrett)
- Religion:
- Church of England
- Pre-war Occupation:
- Truck and Tractor Driver
- Memorial:
- Epitaph, Labuan Memorial, Panel 19, Age 40.
- Singapore:
- Selarang Camp Changi, River Valley Road Camp
- Force:
- ‘ A’ Force Burma, Green Force, No. 3 Battalion
- Camps Thailand:
- Tamarkan
- Camps Burma:
- Victoria Point, Kendau 4.l8km, Thetkaw 14k RAP 1/2/43, Meiloe 75km, Aungganaung 105km
- POW#:
- 1479
- Japan:
- Rakuyo Maru Party, Kumi No. 35
- Cause of Death:
- Lost at Sea
- Place of Death:
- South China Sea
- Date of Death:
- 14.09.1944
General Description
Wounded in action at Buona Vista on 15.2.1942. Admitted to the 2/13th Australian General Hospital with splinter wounds to the back. Soldier was operated on same day. Discharged to unit 18.3.1942.
As a POW in Singapore selected to work on the Burma end of Thai-Burma Railway with ‘A’ Force Burma, Green Force No. 3. 3,000 POWs sailed from Singapore about June/July 1942 to SW Coast of Burma where 3 work Parties would repair and enlarge airfields at Victoria Point, Ye and Tavoy before making their way to northern point of Rail link. Green Force No. 3 had a large number of 2/4th men, including Toms. By 1st Oct 1942 they were working at Kendau 4.8 Km Camp.
From Kendau the PoWs were moved to Thetkaw 14km, Meiloe 75km and lastly Aungganaung 105km Camp.
Read further about ‘A’ Force Green Force No. 3 Battalion.
Frederick was selected on the 27/03/1944 to be transported to Japan. He was lost at sea after the sinking of Rakuyo Maru on 14/09/1944 in transit to Japan.
Read further about ‘Rakuyo’ Maru
Toms survived two days before succumbing to the extremely challenging conditions of floating on had mad rafts in the south China Sea, without food and water and often with injuries. Alec Minchin survived three days after the sinking of ‘Rakuyo’ Maru.
Height 5′ 6″
TOMS, Private, FREDERICK WILLIAM, WX7664, A.I.F. 2/4 M.G. Bn., Australian Infantry. 14 September 1944. Age 40. Son of Septimus and Minnie Toms, of New Bradwell, Buckinghamshire, England. Panel 19.
Labuan Memorial, Malaysia.
We believe Frederick William Toms arrived WA in 1930 aged 25 years, on ‘Orveto’ his occupation recorded as farm labourer.
Other than listings for ‘Frederick William Toms , Farmer Bonnie Rock’ 1936, 1937 and 1943 Electoral Rolls, and one death notice from Mr & Mrs Alwyn Lochar, South Quairading we have no other information about Fred – and not able to confirm the Bonnie Rock details as belonging to Fred Toms.
His enlistment details state he was formerly from Quairading.
It seems Tom was earlier on, may well have been working for Alwyn Lohoar’s family who farmed at South Quairading. Alwyn Lohoar married Beth Minchin – sister of Alec Minchin WX7662. Fred Toms and Alec Minchin enlisted 10 August 1940 (there were many others who also enlisted on this date) and joined ‘C’ Coy, Toms was 10 years older than Minchin.
Toms name is included on the Quairading Honour Roll for WW2
Camp Locations:
- River Valley Road Camp - Singapore
- Selarang Camp Changi - Singapore
- Tamarkan, Tha Makham 56k - Thailand
- Aungganaung,105Kilo - Burma
- Kendau, Kandaw, 4 Kilo - Burma
- Bangkok - Thailand
- Victoria Point, Kawthoung - Burma. \'A\' Force, Green Force No. 3 Btn
- Thetkaw 14 Kilo - Burma