The Soldier's Details

Prior to enlistment, Tom was Sgt with 25th Light Horse.

Please read further

He enlisted with AIF Nov 1940 and later joined ‘C’ Coy HQ.  He was Warrant Officer to CO Capt Colin Cameron.

Following Fall of Singapore, Hampton  with all the Australians was sent to Selarang Camp at Changi.    He left Singapore sailing mid May 1942 with the first work party to leave the island  – 3,000 Australian POWs ‘A’ Force Burma Green force No. 3 Battalion.

Please read about Green Force

 

 

 

Eric Teasdale (survived and returned to WA) & Tom Hampton.  Tom was best man at Teasdale’s wedding.  Hampton had played sports with Teasdale at Merredin.

Please read about the men from Merredin district.

Tom was at Camps:

Victoria Point, Tavoy, Ye, Thanby, 3.8 K, 75K where he contracted malaria and was transferred to Thanby hospital 13.4.1943 for six months during which time the hospital was bombed.  Following which he was at 8K Wagale, 105K where he marched in ex 30K Reptu 6.9.1943, Tanbaya (Lamaign) then Tamakan hospital 3.12.1943,  Chunkai 27.7.1944 to 28.4.1944, Hindato/Linson (POW NO. 12079) chopping wood (perforated duodenal ulcer December 1944), left Chungkai 27.8.1945 returned January 1945, Tamuang, Bangkok.

Read about Linson Wood Camp and Tom’s urgent evacuation for surgery to save his life.

On his return to WA Tom spent time at Lady Mitchell Convalescent Home to receive treatment for his eyesight which had suffered due to lack of vitamins.  Please read further.

 

 

Below:  Tom is recorded along with other 2/4th Bevis, Tom Fitzpatrick, Baker

 

 

 

Soldier Reunited with Saviour – as per August 1985 “Barbed Wire and Bamboo”

The generosity of Onslow residents has reunited veteran Tom Hampton with a man who helped save his life in a Japanese prisoner of war camp.

When Mr Hampton needed an emergency stomach operation, Bill Carlyon was among the prisoners who carried him 2km through thick Thai jungle to an Australian surgeon, Phil Millard.  In the darkness of night Dr. Millard dressed in his Christmas concert costume with a dim oil lamp for lighting faced a most difficult operation – a perforated gastric ulcer. Hampton survived – another patient did not.

Tom Hampton’s Recollection to Dr, Phil Millard

‘I can clearly remember that night being carried to the Theatre ? (such as it was) there seemed to be some jungle mist or smoke about and it gave me an eerie feeling.  I well remember the tins filled with oil and wicks – also I can recall you coming to see me from a concert, you seemed to be dressed in a striped top – something like an old time bathing costume.  I also remember the other doctor but didn’t realise that he played such a vital part in urging you to operate  – so to me he is the World’s greatest Urger.  I can recall the other poor unfortunate chap who didn’t make it – thinking that after he had died that I might only have a few hours to go myself.  I stayed a few days at your camp then was taken back to the timber camp’. (Linson Wood).

 

The two friends fought with the WA 2/4th Machine Gun Battalion. The last time they met was on a ship home after the war.

Now the Onslow community has got together to raise more than $1100 to send Mr Carylon (80) to Perth for his first ANZAC Day march and to see Mr Hampton again.

Mr Hampton (68) said – “I will never be able to repay Bill, but it is good to be able to thank him properly. I had a burst duodenal ulcer in the POW camp, and I thought that I would be lucky to survive. But some of the boys had heard about an Australian surgeon at a nearby camp. They made a stretcher and persuaded the Japanese to let them take me.”

Mr Carylon said, “They have been marvellous. It was a total surprise when they told me about the trip. It means so much to me to see the men of the battalion again and Tom.”

Onslow storekeeper, Mr Martin Petering said, “We are all so proud of Bill. He is a wonderful old man. We knew how much he wanted to take part in the Perth ANZAC Day parade, so we started raising the money”.

 

Tom was first born child to Thomas Hampton and Muriel May Daer (nee Siggins) who married 1915.  Muriel was a widow with a small son.  She had married her first husband John Patrick Joseph Daer in 1904. They had one son named after his father John Patrick Joseph Daer/Hampton.  Daer (Snr) tragically died in 1906.

Tom had one younger sister Iris May Hampton.

Thomas Hampton (Snr) died 1960and Muriel Hampton died Jan 1975 aged 91 years.

Tom married 1951 to Eileen (Joan) Freeman.  They had two daughters.

Tom died 22 January 2001 aged 84.  Joan Hampton died Jan 2024 aged 101 years.