‘B’ COMPANY 7 PLATOON 2/4TH MGB
Comprised 6 Officers and 39 Privates.
11 men from 7 Platoon lost their lives.
Highly regarded Platoon Sgt Jack Pearson became CO of 7 Platoon when Dean took himself to hospital. 7 Platoon fared well during the fighting on Singapore. Pearson died at Chungkai Hospital Camp Feb 1944.
Stubbs was KIA at Tengah Airfield on 9 Feb, and Leahy was WIA.
On 10 Feb a number of 7 Platoon were MIA – Cpl Bill Breed, and Privates Cameron and White. They joined up with 2/4th’s ‘A’ Coy to continue fighting until Surrender.This was not unusual – the Japanese were advancing so fast many Australians found themselves cut off from their Platoons, often behind the lines.
Pte Nicholas was WIA Pasir Pandang 14 Feb as was Sgt Holm, tragically Holm receiving GSW to his skull, right hand and legs. Holm died of cerebral abscess on 2 March 1942 at the hospital, Changi.
Pte Collins was WIA with shrapnel at West Mandai on 14 Feb. Received shrapnel damage to his left elbow and taken to 2/20th AGM at Cathay Building. Discharged to unit 27 April 42 and given a ‘B’ Medical Classification by the Japanese. Collins spent much time Changi area for reconstructive surgery. He could have evaded draft for work party, but wanted to go with ‘H’ Force to Burma Thai Railway.
Pte Atkinson was WIA (shrapnel) 15 Feb at Riley Road, Singapore. Admitted to 2/10th AGH with shrapnel wound to right wrist. Discharged to unit 23 Feb 1942. ‘D’ Force S Btn to Burma-Thai Railway, was recovered from Niihama, Japan at the end of war.
All the men who sailed to North Borneo to work on Sandakan Airfields with ‘B’ and ‘E’ Force lost their lives. There were no 2/4th MGB survivors. They included Jack Halligan, Rolf Newling, Frank Noble and Thorns.
Ted Hopson successfully escaped to Sumatra on the night of 15 Feb 1942 from Pasir Pandang. Tragically Ted died of illness while moving to the northern point of Sumatra with a work force.
He died of appendicitis as he had dysentery and was unable to be operated on at Tenal Gajoe, Sumatra 26 April 1944. He was 35 years old.
Allan Powell died 6 Sept 1943 at Brankassi Camp with ‘D’ Force V Battalion.
Guy Biggs with ‘A’ Force Burma, Green Force No. 3 Battalion died of cardiac beri beri, dysentery and tropical ulcers on 21 Aug 1943 at Khonkan Hospital Camp 21 Aug 1943. He was 39 years old.
John Gregory with ‘F’ Force died of Cholera at Shimo Sonkurai 1st June 1943 aged 38 years.
Sgt Jack PEARSON died at Chungkai Hospital Camp on 13 Feb 1944 of beri beri and enteritis. He was 43 years of age.
William Robert Samuel Baker lost his life when his transport ship to Japan ‘Rakuyo’ Maru was attacked and sunk by US Submarines Sept 1944 in South China Sea. He was 25 years of age.
CO WX6067 LT. Penrod V. DEAN – Hospitalised during fighting at Singapore.
Lt Penrod Dean’s military life has continued to be controversial.
When taken POWs of Japan after 15 Feb 1945.Lt Dean approached WX12835 L/Cpl John McGregor suggesting they escape together and head to Malaysia. At that time it was said Dean was anxious about his personal well-being, believing the men of 7 Platoon were out to ‘get him’ accusing him of leaving his post during the battle of Singapore.
Dean and McGregor were captured on the run in Malaysia returned to Singapore to face a trial. They were each imprisoned at Outram Road Gaol a hellish prison run by Kempetai.
Please read about Outram Road Goal, Singapore
PLATOON SERGEANT:
WX8118 SGT John Eyres (known as Jack) PEARSON on left, his brother Don on right.
NCO Jack Pearson was highly respected and held temporary rank of Lieutenant as a POW. He had acted as CO of 7 Platoon when Lt Dean evacuated to hospital (date unknown) during battle.
Previously held position of Lt in Militia which he served in between 1924-1929. Had younger brother Donald David Pearson WX13816 also in 7 Platoon. As POW in Singapore Don Pearson worked on Burma-Thai Railway with ‘D’ force Thailand S Battalion. He was evacuated to Chungkai Hospital Camp with beri beri and enteritis. He died at Chungkai on 13 Feb 1944 aged 43 years
PLATOON SERGEANT:
WX8986 Sgt David HOLM – WIA Pasir Panjang 14 Feb 1942 – received GSW to skull, right hand and legs. Died aged 24 years cerebral abscess 2 Mar 1942 at Changi.
PLATOON CORPORALS:
WX9011Cpl Gerald Charles ARTHUR – b. Yarloop. Promoted to Corporal 1 Feb 1942. Left Singapore with ‘J’ Force to work in Japan with ‘Wales’ Maru Party firstly at Kobe House, recovered Osaka sub-Camp 10 where he was rice planting and doing irrigation work.
WX9229 Cpl Walter Edward known as ‘Bill’ BREED – b. London, England. Came from around Ravensthorpe. Missing in action 10 Feb 1942 – known to have joined up with ‘A’ Coy and fought with them until surrender. Sent with ‘D’ Force Thailand S Battalion to work on Burma-Thai Railway. Was recovered from Nacompaton Camp when the war ended.
WX8807 CPL William Arthur HALLIGAN – promoted to Corporal 24 Jan 1942. A Goldfields boy, his younger brother Jack Halligan also with 2/4th. Jack Halligan lost his life when he was sent to Sandakan, North Borneo with ‘B’ Force.
William (Bill) Halligan worked Burma-Thai Railway with ‘D’ Force Thailand S Battalion. Recovered from Nacompaton Camp, Thailand when war ended.
7 PLATOON CONSISTED OF 38 MEN (Including 36 PRIVATES and 2 X L/CPLS) PLUS one Reinforcement.
Reinforcement: WX16952 R.A. SIMMONDS
WX9342 Herbert ATKINSON – English born Atkinson enlisted Oct 1940 trained to be a Driver. Was WIA at Riley Road, Singapore on 15 Feb 1942, last day prior to surrender, admitted to AGH with shrapnel wound to right wrist. Dishcharged to Unit on 23 Feb 1942.
Worked on Burma-Thai Railway with ‘D’ Force Thailand S Battalion then considered fit by Japanese to work in Japan sailed with ‘Rashin’ Maru Party. Was recovered at Niihama mine, Japan at end of war.
WX84239 Victor George BARNETT – worked on Burma end of Burma Thai Railway with ‘A’ Force Burma Green Force No. 3 Battalion. Survived to be selected ‘fit’ to work in Japan. Sailed with ‘Awa’ Maru Party, worked Omuta Coal Mine and wharf labour. Recovered from Japan at war’s end. Flew from Okinawa to Manila by B24 Liberator aircraft. Then Manila-Morotai-Darwin by PBY Catalina aircraft A24-306. Flew from Darwin to Perth 10 Oct 1945.
WX8682 W.R.S. BAKER – b. Esperance. His family were residing Norseman. Lost his life when ‘Rakuyo’ Maru sank 1944. Left Singapore with ‘A’ Force Green Force No. 3 Battalion to work from Burma end of Rail link.
WX8185 James Joseph BARRY – b. Fremantle. Enlisted Aug 1940. Section Orderly. Worked Burma-Thai Railway with ‘H’ Force Thailand Group No. 3. Survived and returned to Singapore with ‘H’ Force. Worked with X10 Party. Recovered from Changi Gaol Camp at end of war.
WX8798 Guy Percival BIGGS – b. Monmouth, Wales. Driver. Left Singapore with ‘A’ Force Burma Green Force No. 3 Battalion to work on the Burma end of the Line. Biggs died 21 Aug 1943 aged 39 years at Khonkan Camp of cardiac beri beri, dysentery and tropical ulcers.
WX12335 Ronald Edmund BROWN – b. Arthur
River. Enlisted 2 May 1941. Worked on Burma-Thai Railway with Captain Harris Party. Was selected by Japanese as being ‘fit’ to work in Japan, sailed with ‘Both’ Party which reached Saigon and remained there throughout the war. He was recovered from Saigon.
WX9261 John (Jack) Nicholas CAIMANOS – came from a small rural area called Marbellup between Denmark and Albany. Went to work on Burma-Thai Railway with ‘D’ Force S Battalion. Was evacuated sick from Tarsau Hospital Camp. Was recovered from Chungkai Hospital Camp when Japan surrendered.
WX11226 Graeme Keats CAMERON – Enlisted 31 March 1941. Was employed as a broadcast announcer and Law Student prior to enlisting. Cameron received mortar blast to his left ear in early stages of fighting on Singapore. MIA from 10 Feb 1942 but joined ‘A’ Company 2/4th MGB and fought with them until surrender on 15 Feb 1942. Promoted to Corporal 15 Feb 1942. Worked on Burma-Thai Railway with ‘D’ Force Thailand V Battalion. Was recovered from Ubon Camp at end of war.
WX10282 Charles Leslie COLLINS – Enlisted AIF Sec 1941. Motor cycle orderly. WIA West Mandai 14 Feb 1942. Admitted to 2/10th AGH, then located at Cathay Building. Was admitted with fractured elbow caused by shrapnel. Discharged to unit on 27 April 1942. He was given a ‘B’ Class Medical Classification and spent much of his time in Changi due to reconstructive surgery. Selected to work on Burma-Thai Railway with ‘H’ Force Group No. 3. Collins could have evaded the draft but decided that he wanted to be included. He was evacuated from Malayan Hamlet with beri beri to Kanchanaburi Hospital Camp on 1 Oct 1943. Returned to Singapore with ‘H’ Force. Worked X10 Party. Recovered from Changi Gaol Camp at war’s end.
WX9334 John Francis DARE – b. Boulder 1913. Left Singapore 1942 with ‘A’ Force Burma Green Force No. 3 – the first work party of 3,000 Australians POWs to depart Singapore after Surrender. Dare was recovered from Nacopaton Hospital Camp, Thailand at the end of war.
WX7886 Thomas Albert FINDLAY – worked ‘D’ Force S Battalion on Burma-Thai Railway. Selected fit by Japanese to work in Japan with ‘Rashin’ Maru Party. Recovered Niihama Mine at end of war.
WX7864 James Joseph FLANAGAN – worked with Capt Fred Harris Work Party to Burma-Thai Railway. Selected ‘fit’ by Japanese to work in Japan. Left with ‘Aramis’ Party to Japan to work at Omuta Mine. Recovered from Fukuoka sub-Camp No. 21 Nakama at end of war. Flew from Darwin to Perth on B24 Liberator aircraft.
WX8679 L/Cpl Alfred Ernest FOCH – b. London, England enlisted Oct 1940. Foch left Singapore to work on the Burma end of the Railway with ‘A’ Force Burma Green Force No. 3 Battalion. He was recovered at the end of war from Thailand.
WX9335 Sydney GORRINGE – B. 1916 Perth. His older brother John Gorringe also enlisted with 2/4th and joined ‘B’ Coy (left Singapore with ‘F’ Force, survived to return to Australia). Syd left Singapore to work on Burma-Thai Railway with ‘D’ Force S Battalion. Was recovered from Nacompaton Camp at end of war.
WX7869 Thomas Henry GREEN – Collie boy. Promoted to Corporal 11 Feb 1942. Left Singapore to work on Burma-Thai Railway with ‘D’ Force S Battalion. Recovered from Kanchanaburi Camp, Thailand at the end of war.
Tom Green tragically died in 1952 in a mining accident at Collie. He left behind his young wife and a young son.
WX8674 John Edgar James GREGORY – b. Kalgoorlie. Left Singapore with ‘F’ Force Thailand to work on rail link. He died 1 June 1943 at Shimo Sonkurai of cholera aged 39 years.
WX8819 Jack HALLIGAN – Goldfields boy, younger brother of William Arthur Halligan. He was motorcycle orderly. Jack left Singapore with ‘B’ Force Borneo to work on the Sandakan Airfields. He died on the Sandakan-Ranau track 12 miles from Sandakan on 4 Feb 1945 aged 25 years.
WX9365 Leonard Horace HANCOCK – b. Broken Hill, Victoria 1901. Company Scout. Went with ‘A’ Force Burma Green Force No. 3 Battalion to commence work on the Burma end if the Rail. He was at Khonkan Hospital Camp 1 July 1943. He was recovered from Nacompaton Camp, Thailand at the end of war.
WX9240 Harold Gerard HOCKEY – b. Newport, Wales. Left Singapore with ‘D’ Force Thailand, possibly joined up with Capt Harris Party. Selected Fit to work in Japan sailed from Singapore with ‘Both’ Party which arrived Saigon but was unable to continue journey to Japan. Recovered from Saigon. Wounded by a USAAC P38 Lightning aircraft whilst in transit to Phan Rang – north of Saigon, Vietnam.
WX9350 Patrick George HODGINS – worked Burma-Thai Railway with ‘H’ Force Group No 3. Survived to return to Changi. Worked X10 Party in Singapore. Recovered from Singapore end of war.
WX9241 Edward Mason (known as Ted) HOPSON – Listed as missing from Pasir Panjang Sunday evening 15 Feb 1942. Escaped to Sumatra. Was with a Work Party travelling to northern point of Sumatra when he became ill. Died appendicitis as he had dysentery and was unable to be operated on in Tenal Gajoe, Sumatra 26 April 1944. He was 35 years old.
WX9323 Melville William HORTIN – b. Bully Acre, South Australia. Was also Scout for 7 Platoon. Admitted AGH 16 Feb with shell shock. Discharged to Unit on 21 Feb 1942. Suffered with asthma when it rained. The rain water remained on the extensive concrete areas at Changi aggravating his condition. Was sent to Kranji Camp, Woodlands and dirt floored camp. Hortin and Pte Lush were both asthma sufferers and were not sent away in work forces.
WX8702 Gilbert JAPP – b. Scotland. Driver with ‘B’ Coy Headquarters. Left Singapore to work on Burma-Thai Railway with ‘D’ Force Thailand, S Battalion. Was recovered from Nakom Chassi Camp at the end of war.
WX8810 Reginald Frederick LAWER – Driver. His older brother Ivan William also enlisted with 2/4th. Left Singapore with ‘D’ Force T Battalion WO II John Dooley Party – it is believed Ivan was also with same work force and they remained together until Reg was selected to work in Japan. Departed with ‘Aramis’ Party and worked Fukuoka sub-Camp No. 17 from where he was recovered at the end of war.
WX9312 Michael John LEAHY – b. Toodyay. Enlisted Oct 1940. WIA Tengah Airfield 9 Feb 1942. The Japanese had located his section and zeroed in on them. Admitted to Alexandra Hospital with shrapnel wound to his left arm. Discharged to Unit on 15 Feb 1942.
Departed Singapore with ‘J’ Force to work in Japan, to Kobe House where he worked for Mitsubishi on the wharves. When Kobe House was bombed and burned down, Leahy was sent to and recovered from Notogawa sub-Camp No. 9 Osaka. During his time in Japan, Leahy was admitted to Kobe Hospital for three months and Osaka Stadium POW Hospital for six months.
On his return to Australia Leahy was admitted to hospital for two months.
WX12835 L/CPL J.A. MCGREGOR see Penrod Dean.
John McGegregor returned to Australia with limited eyesight which never improved. He learnt braille. He wrote a book about his life at Outram Road ‘Blood on the Rising Sun’.
WX10792 Edwin John MURTAGH – Manchester, England born Ted Murtagh left Singapore with first work party – ‘A’ Force Burma Green Force No. 3 Battalion to work on Burma end of Rail link. Selected ‘Fit’ by Japanese to work in Japan, sent on ‘Awa’ Maru Party to Japan where he remained working at Fukuoka sub-Camp No. 24 Sendyu from where he was recovered at end of war.
WX8865 Rolf Walker NEWLING – Left Singapore with ‘B’
force Borneo to work at Sandakan. He died of malaria at Ranau 13 June 1945 aged 33 years.
Rolf Newling was eldest of three Newling brothers to enlist with 2/4th. Youngest Oswald ‘Ossie’ Kitchener Newling died malaria at Kuii Camp Thailand with ‘D’ Force Thailand, V Battalion on 22 Oct 1943. He was 28 years old.
Middle brother Rexford (Rex) Frank Newling was also with ‘D’ Thailand, V Battalion. Rex also died at Kuii Camp of malaria on 29 Sep 1943, before his younger brother Ossie. Rex was 30 years old.
WX10809 William JOHN NICHOLAS – b. Goomalling. Enlisted January 1941. WIA Pasir Panjang on 14 Feb 1942 and admitted to 2/9th Field Ambulance with bayonet wound to left leg and torso. Admitted to 2/13th AGH on 16 Feb 1942. Discharged to Unit on 22 Feb 1942. Worked Burma-Thai Railway with ‘D’ Force Thailand WOII John Dooley Party. (Possibly member of ‘T’ Battalion). Selected fit by Japanese to work in Japan sailed with ‘Both’ Party. Reached Saigon and remained there until end of war.
WX9413 Frank Richard NOBLE d. Left Singapore with ‘E’ Force Borneo. Died Malaria Sandakan, Borneo on 26 May 1945 aged 25 years.
WX13816 Donald D. PEARSON – younger brother to WX81128 Sgt Jack PEARSON. Donald David Pearson WX13816 also in 7 Platoon. As POW in Singapore Don Pearson worked on Burma-Thai Railway with ‘H’ Force Group 3. He survived to return to Changi from where he was recovered at end of war.
WX8440 Allen Ethelbert POWELL – b. Northam 1909. Left Singapore with. ‘D’ Force Thailand V Battalion. He died 6 Sept 1943 aged 33 years at Brankassi Camp, Thailand of dysentery.
WX8758 Joseph Frederick STARCEVICH – b Laverton. Starcevich left Singapore with ‘D’ Force Thailand Capt Fred Harris Party. Selected to work in Japan, sailed with ‘Aramis’ Party and worked at Omuta Mine. His leg was injured in a rock fall below ground on 5 Jan 1945. His leg was amputated 50 years later. Was recovered from here at war’s end.
WX9332 John Bowe STUBBS – b. Narrogin 1918. KIA Tengah Airfield 9 Feb 1942 aged 23 years.
WX10117 Eric Gerard THOMSON – b. Scotland. Rangetaker. Left Singapore with ‘D’ Force Thailand Capt Fred Harris Party to work on Burma-Thai Railway. The Japanese decided he was fit and selected him to work in Japan. Sailed with ‘Both’ Party – but did not sail any further from Saigon. He was recovered from here at the end of war.
WX10289 Arthur Stanley THORNS – b. Trafalgar 1917. Sailed from Singapore with ‘E’ Force Borneo. Was beaten to death by guards at Ranu, having marched Sandakan-Ranu March, Borneo 1 Aug 1945 aged 27 years. One of last to die.
WX9333 Arthur Thomas WHITE – Listed missing 10 Feb 1942 – he joined up with ‘A’ Company and fought with them until Surrender 15 Feb 1942. Worked Burma-Thai Railway Burma end with ‘F’ Force Burma Green Force No. 3 Battalion. When rail link completed; he was evacuated to Tamarkan Hospital Camp, then to Chungkai Hospital Camp from where he was sent with a Work Party to Kachu Mountain Camp from where he was recovered at end of war.
WX10373 Walter Victor WINTER – Worked Burma-Thai Railway with ‘A’ Force Burma Green Force No. 3 Battalion to Burma end of Rail Link. Selected fit by Japanese to work in Japan, on ‘Rakuyo’ Maru miraculously rescued by USS ‘Pampanito’ Sept 1944.
REINFORCEMENT:
WX16952 Roy Albert SIMMONDS – Enlisted 8 Oct 1941. Worked Burma-Thai Railway with ‘D’ Force Thailand S Battalion. Recovered from Tamuang Camp at end of war.
