The Soldier's Details
- Surname:
- Smith
- First Name:
- Walter John
- Rank:
- Private
- Regimental #:
- WX8506
- Classification:
- Driver
- Company:
- 88 Light Aid Detachment
- Enlisted:
- 18.10.1940
- Discharged:
- 8.02.1946
- DOB:
- 26.01.1917
- Place of Birth:
- Beverley, Western Australia
- Father's Name:
- W.R. Smith
- Mothers's Name:
- M.M. Smith
- Religion:
- Church of England
- Pre-war Occupation:
- Electrician
- Java:
- ‘Blackforce’
- Force:
- ‘D’ Force Thailand, Java Party No. 6, O Battalion
- Camps Thailand:
- Tamuang
- POW#:
- 6922
- Return Details 1945:
- Thailand-Singapore by aircraft, Singapore-Melbourne HMT Otranto, Melbourne (R.A.A.F. Laverton)‐Perth by B24 Liberator aircraft.
General Description
Smith enlisted AIF Oct 1940. He trained to be driver with 88th Light Aid Detachment – attached to 2/4th MGB.
Smith was unable to reboard ‘Aquitania’ in time when the transport ship departed Guage Road, Fremantle to head to Singapore, having anchored overnight. Soldiers were ordered not to go ashore, but 2/4th jmen had not seen their families for several months – they didn’t know where they were going to and wanted to see their families for what may be the last time!
He was one of about 90 well trained machine gunners who then departed Fremantle and saled to Java some weeks later.
Please read further about these men
He was sent to work on Burma-Thai Railweay with ‘D’ Force Thailand, Java Party No. 6, O Battalion.
He was recovered from Tamuang POW Camp, Thailand at the end of war.
Camp Locations:
- Tamuang, Tha Muang 39k - Thailand
