The Soldier's Details

Goodwin recorded his NOK as Miss B. Goodwin, Mosman, NSW -believed to be his sister.

Reuben Goodwin’s funeral service was conducted by Chaplain Duckworth (British Army) on 15.11.1943.

Rueben was a Kingsley Fairbridge Farm Schoolboy from Barnardos homes, England and arrived in Australia on ‘Ballarat’ 1928 aged 11 years. He was housed in Forrest.

Rueben is recorded (the ‘Old Fairbridgian’ magazine) as staying at the OFA accommodation at Pinjarra in February and March 1936. Other visitors in 1936  include 2/4th’s Ted Leadbitter and Harry Lucas. Social notes refer to Rueben’s tennis skills!

During 1935 and 1936 Reuben Goodwin was working and living at Konnongorring.  He remained here until enlistment.

Reuben recorded his sister Beatrice as his NOK. It is believed the photograph below is of Reuben and his sister Beatrice.  In the death notice for Reuben, Beatrice and Arthur refer to him as their brother.

We have been not been able to confirm but it may be that Reuben was separated from his siblings (which often occurred). He was sent to Fairbridge Farm School, Pinjarra, WA and perhaps Beatrice and Arthur sent to a home in NSW.

 

We believe the following to be Reuben’s Baptism Record.  (Hence his parents Arthur & Sarah Goodwin)

 

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From Toodyay Herald 12 October 1945

From Goomalling Weekly Gazette,  Friday 19th October 1945

Reuben was selected in Singapore to work on the Burma-Thai Railway with ‘F’ Force Thailand.  They were to be located south of the border from  Three Pagoda Pass.  The Force was made up of 3,600 British and 3,400 Australians.  The assured them they were going to better camps with only light work.  The Japanese encouraged them to take loads of possessions.  Right from the beginning it was a disaster as the men had not been inoculated against cholera. Later many of them were to die from this terrible disease as well other tropical illnesses.

Once they had arrived in Bampong Thailand they found they had to march about 300 km to their camps.  This horrific trek took between 17 to 20 days or more.  The healthier men having to carry those who were will on stretchers.  The had no food provisions and sadly there were times when men drank water which had not been boiled.

This period was the beginning of ‘Speedo’ when the Japanese and Korean guards up and down the line were pushing the men to work longer hours, the sick to work also and with less and less food.

One of their first camps was (Lower) Shimo Sonkurai.

It was in August when the first of the very sick at Neikhe began moving to Tanbaya hospital Camp.  They left behind 50 men who were far too ill to be moved.

Reuben was one of a large number of sick evacuated to Tanbaya Hospital where he succumbed to his illnesses.  Tanbaya like every hospital camp during this time, did not have medicines or medical equipment.

Please read of Tanbaya.

Further reading about Tanbaya Hospital Camp

Read about ‘F’ Force