Thailand-Singapore by aircraft, Singapore-Fremantle, HMT Tamaroa.
General Description
Wounded in action by high explosive bomb, receiving a shrapnel wound to his left knee.
Fred was AWOL from “Aquitania” when ship anchored one night 15 January 1942 on its way to Singapore. He was unable to return to ship before its derparture. He was one of about 90 men from 2/4th who missed their ship, were taken back to Claremont and left a few weeks later .planning to rejoin 2/4th.
This would not be – these 90 men were left in Java as Singapore was about to fall. Please read further.
We can only estimate which camps Fred worked by following the main ‘trail’ of his work Party. Williams Force was unique in that they continued on with the railway long after it was completed. The Force included many engineering men who were in Java having been to the Middle East. Always on the move, Williams Force worked extraordinarily hard and suffered much.
Kuhl FredKuhl, Fred & Elva with their young family July 1941.
Fred had a younger brother Les and a sister Maude (who died 1938 South Australia). Les married in 1923.
His mother Minnie (nee McConkey) was from a large family, most of whom lived in Western Australia.
His mother Minnie Kuhl (nee McConkey) died in 1923 aged 53 years.
The family escape motor accident Christmas time 1941, however a family friend is killed.
Fred’s wife Elva died 28 Nov 1990. We believe Fred died 1973 at Gosnells.
