Scottish-born Hugh Wilkes WX9179 enlisted 10 Oct 1940. An original member of 2/4th with 6 Platon, Wilkes was Taken Off Strength when he injured his knee at North Army Camp and sent to 110(p)MH (Hollwood Hospital). He rejoined the Battalion at Fremantle in January 1942.
He then joined Battalion HQ, Special Reserve Battalion under CO Major Saggers. SRB was a combination of ‘E’ Coy and other Reinforcements from Aquitania.
As a POW he worked at Jahore Bahru, Adam Park before returning to Selarang Barracks, Changi. Wilkes left Singapore to work on Burma-Thai Railway with ‘D’ Force V Battalion – A work Force who endured terrible work and living conditions and suffered a high death rate.
Please read story of ‘D’ Company V Battalion
