The Soldier's Details
- Surname:
- Stribley
- First Name:
- Albert William
- Nick Name:
- Bert
- Rank:
- Lance Corporal
- Regimental #:
- WX9080
- Classification:
- Driver
- Company:
- ‘D’ Company Headquarters, Platoon No. 16
- Enlisted:
- 25.10.1940
- DOB:
- 7.11.1911
- Place of Birth:
- Midland Junction, Western Australia
- Father's Name:
- Thomas Charles Stribley
- Mothers's Name:
- Emily Josephine Mounier
- Religion:
- Church of England
- Pre-war Occupation:
- Truck Driver
- Memorial:
- Kranji War Cemetery, Special Memorial 'C', Plot 6, Row A, Grave 13, Age 30.
- Cause of Death:
- Killed in Action
- Place of Death:
- 2/19th Battalion Headquarters
- Date of Death:
- 9.02.1942
General Description
KIA 9.2.42, last seen at 2/19 Bn HQ on that day. The 2/19th Battalion Headquarters was located on the west coast of Singapore to the north of Sungei Berih.
Bert was fighting with ‘D’ Company’s newly formed No. 16 Platoon which suffered heavy losses. He was Platoon Corporal under Commanding Officer Ron Arbery, and Platoon Sgt Des Colevas who had both been wounded and evacuated by this time.
At least 8 machine gunners died between 9th and 12th Feb 1942. From this Singapore formed No. 16 Platoon, another three died at Borneo – Attenborough, H Dorizzi and Ernie Hill.
The Gibbs brothers (originally No. 13 Platoon) lost their lives when ‘Rakuyo’ Maru was hit by American torpedo.
Please read further
The above confirmed death list suggests Albert Stribley’s family were unable to receive confirmation of his death until April 1946.
Bert was the eldest of nine children born to Thomas Stribley and Emily Josephine Mounier. There were six sons and 3 daughters.,
Bert and his second born brother Norman (Norm) Leslie Stribley WX9058 enlisted together on 25 October 1940, both joining the 2/4th and with ‘D’ Company.
Bert Stribley in 1934 married Irene May Cox and they had two sons, Bevan born in 1937 and Barry born 1941.
His tragic death left a young widow with two young sons to raise.
Please read about the other boys from Midland.
Bert’s early life interests.