The Soldier's Details

 

McLoughlin enlisted AIF 6 Dec 1940 and later joined 2/4th’s ‘C’ Company 12 Platoon under CO Lt Wedge.

McLoughlin was one of about 90 men from 2/4th who were AWOL at Fremantle when ‘Aquitania’ anchored for one night 15 January 1942.  He was unable to reboard before his ship departed following day.

Read about those AWOL at Fremantle.

Arriving in Java, McLoughlin was attached to 2/2nd MG  Battalion and worked at Tjillitan aerodrome near Bataum.

Taken POW of Japan on 9 March 1942 near Leles.   Moved to Bandeong POW Camp.  Selected to work on Burma Thai Railway was moved to Bicycle Camp before being shipped to Singapore and Rangoon.

With Java Group No. 4 Williams Force  he arrived at Singapore 12 October 1942.  They left 2 days later for  Rangoon, Burma then to Moulmein before heading to railway to their first work Camp No. 35Km.

Read about Java Force Group No. 4 Williams Force

After working in Burma on rail link, McLoughlin then worked for Williams Force on Thai side of border  firstly cutting wood for trains. Then Linson/Hindaine, Petchaburi, Nakom Nayok and Lopburi – with other 2/4th men Dusty Millar, Steele, Hampton and Stribling.

Peter was recovered from Nakom Nayok Camp, Thailand at the end of they war.

 

 

 

above:  we know Parents parents resided in Mundaring at sometime.  This is where Peter would have first met Millar and Steele whose families also lived in Mundaring. We believe the McLoughlin family moved from Northampton during the 1930s, probably to Mundaring.

 

 

 

Born in Northampton to parents James and Violet O’Loughlin (nee Counsel) who had married in 1918.

Violet’s three sisters married and resided in Northampton.

Ida married Clifton.

Marion married Edward E Martin.

Mabel married Allan H Drage

James McLoughlin was involved in many Northampton community committees and events.

 

Above: James McLoughlin had continued living in Northampton up until 1930.  His wife was residing in Mt Lawley in 1945.  Peter was the eldest of five sons.

Below:  Grandfather (Counsel) died in 1941.

 

 

His brother James Archibald McLaughlin  Born 1921, also enlisted and died January 1944 over Germany.  His burial place is Charlottenburg, Charlottenburg-Wilmersdorf, Berlin, Germany.

 

 

Peter’s father James McLoughlin died 1952 at Marble Bar.  His mother Violet died 6 February 1978 at Nedlands.

 

 

Peter married in 1947 to Ruby Mead.  They lived in the Busselton area throughout their lives.  In 1968 Peter was living & working at Warner Glen. In 1977 at 1 Bussel Highway, Busselton.  Peter working as a labourer.

Peter died 8 April 2004 aged 84 years at Busselton. Ruby (known as Tommy)  died 1991 at Busselton.

 

 

Below:  Lynton Station where Peter’s father was Station Manager.