The Soldier's Details
- Surname:
- Barrass
- First Name:
- Joseph John Samuel
- Rank:
- Private
- Regimental #:
- WX7796
- Classification:
- Driver
- Company:
- ‘D' Company, No. 15 Platoon
- Enlisted:
- 10.08.1940
- DOB:
- 27.09.1912
- Place of Birth:
- Maylands, Western Australia
- Father's Name:
- Joseph Barrass
- Mothers's Name:
- Ada May Barrass
- Religion:
- Roman Catholic
- Pre-war Occupation:
- Hoist Driver
- Memorial:
- Epitaph, Singapore Memorial, Column 135, Age 29.
- Cause of Death:
- Died of Wounds
- Place of Death:
- Tanjong Murai, Singapore
- Date of Death:
- 11.02.1942
General Description
Barrass enlisted from Marble Bar into AIF 10 Aug 1940 later joining 2/4th MGB’s ‘D’ Company No. 15 Platoon under Commanding Officer Lt. Meiklejohn (KIA 8 Feb 1942). At Singapore as futher Vickers Machine Gun Company was formed.
BARRASS joined the newly formed 16 Platoon under CO Ron Arbery. Barrass’s party scattered when it came under heavy fire and was lat seen on Wednesday 11.2.1942 by WX8958 William Gibbs near Tanjong Murai, West Coast of Singapore.
Please read about men of 15 Platoon
This Platoon and others of ‘D’ Company were located on north west coast of Singapore to prepare for Japanese invasion. This whole coastline was sparsely defended – the British believed the Japanese would invade the north west coast and commanded most of the defending forces there.
The Australians put up a good fight, and worked their Vickers machine guns until they ran out of ammunition however were ultimately no match and were outnumbered by the Japanese.
The Barrass family did not officially learn of Joseph’s death in Singapore, until late March 1946.
Joseph’s parents Joseph Barrass and Ada May Runting married 1911 in Perth. Joseph (Jnr) was one of five children.
His father died in 1919.
Above: Barrass farm at Tammin is to be sold.
Below: The 1933 death of Joseph (Jnr) grandmother’s death. The mother of his father.