The Soldier's Details

Carter was employed as a bank clerk at Carnamah when he enlisted 6 Aug 1940, later joining 2/4th’s ‘B’ Coy 9 Platoon.

Carter was one of about 90 men from 2/4th who was left behind when ‘Aquitania’ sailed for Singapore from Fremantle on 16 Feb 1942.  Most of those men were locked up by MPs and unable to free themselves.  They sailed a few weeks later for Singapore, but were landed at Java when it was realised Singapore was about to fall.

Please read the story

The Australians were taken POWs of Japan from 8 March 1942 onwards and imprisoned in various camps on Java.

Carter had been working at a bank in Carnamah prior to enlisting, several mates from Carnamah enlisted with 2/4th – Ken Lally who was working at Eric H. GURR’s General Store in Carnamah from September 1939 until mid 1940 and Bill Baillie & Loller  (Bruce Rock).

Please read about ‘D’ Force Thailand Java Party 6 O to Burma-Thai Railway

He was evacuated  from Burma-Thai Railway to Tarsau 5 Sept 1943 suffering from malaria and enteritis from which he was fortunate to survive.  Tarsau Hospital was notorious and known by the men as being a place where one was likely not to survive.

Carter was selected fit by the Japanese to work in Japan, and sailed with ‘Rashin’ Maru Party, which first required the men to return to Singapore to board their ship.

Please read about the ‘Rashin’ Maru Party – a terrible 70 day journey to Japan

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ohama, Hiroshima  POW Camp Renamed Aug 1945 Hiroshima 9-B – Okura Mining Co.

Back Row:  L-R (1)  Bert Poulton WX9764  (5)  Doug Carter WX8240

2nd Last Row: L-R (2) Alf Worth WX7440 (3)  Alex Oag WX8481

3rd Row from Back:  L-R (4) Aub Schuts WX8562 (8) Bob Whitelaw WX9076

Front Row:  L-R (9) Arthur Walker WX16370

Read about Ohama Camp, 9B  Japan

Carter was recovered from Ohama Camp at the end of the war.

 

Carter was an old Scotch College student, along with John Royce (KIA Singapore).

Below:  Carter is mentioned as attending the 21st birthday party of Royce’s sister Pat Royce.

 

Carter’s parents Rupert Newington Carter and Dorothy Margaret Isobel Wood married in 1915.  There were two children, Douglas and his sister Vivienne.

Below:  Dorothy Carter, mother of Douglas.

Below:  Dorothy’s father died in 1928

 

Above: Doug’s grandfather died 1927.

 

Above:  Carter’s sister Vivienne marries in 1940.

On returning he resumed working in banking, living with his parents Victoria Ave, Claremont.  His mother Dorothy Carter tragically died 29 Dec 1947 aged 53 years, having suicided in their home.

He married Avis Jean Prewett in 1946 and they continued residing in the Claremont home with Carter’s father Rupert.  Rupert  Carter died in 1963.   Doug Carter is residing at Victoria Ave in  Electoral Rolls – 1954, 1963 and 1968.

Below:  Avis Carter.

Doug Carter died in 1970 aged 54 years.  Avis Carter died in 2004.