Fall of Singapore

At the beginning of December 1941, on the same day that Japan was attacking Pearl Harbour half a world away, the Japanese simultaneously bombed the Royal Air Force bases to the north of Singapore on the Malay coast, thereby eliminating the Air Force’s ability to either retaliate or protect the occupying troops on the ground. Their tactics were shrewd and incredibly well thought out. Before a Japanese soldier set foot on Singaporean soil, Britain’s naval and aerial capabilities had both been destroyed. When the Navy responded by sending the battleship ‘Prince of Wales’ and the battle cruiser ‘Repulse’ at the head of a fleet of ships, both were torpedoed and sank into the tropical waters. This left Singapore defenseless to assaults from both air and sea. Britain and Singapore’s only hope was in the British Army and Commonwealth forces. CREDIT:historic-uk.com

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Displaying 31 - 40 of 60

Gerald Frank Shaw

A Private with the Royal Army Ordnance Corps, Gerald died on 26th of June 1943 aged 28. Gerald was born at Minehead, Somerset, on 15 February 1915, a son of Frank and Ethel Annie Shaw. His father was killed in 1917 whilst serving with the Somerset Light Infantry. His family lived at The Shrubbery, White Hart Street, East Harling, Norfolk. By 1939 his family were living at 12 Whapload Road, Lowestoft, and Gerald worked as a printer's estimating clerk. Later his mother lived at Oulton Broad. Fall of Singapore, FEPOW, Burma Railway

Eric David Jones

A Private with the 5th Battalion, Eric died on 11th of July 1943 aged 23. Eric was born at Lowestoft on 12 September 1919, a son of Charles and Ida Jones. In 1921 his family lived at 19 Southwell Road. Eric’s mother died in 1935 and in 1939 his family lived at 69 Waveney Drive. Fall of Singapore, FEPOW, Burma Railway

William Edward Barley

A Gunner with 352 Battery, 88 Field Regiment, William died on 26th of July 1943 at the age of 35. William was born at Wandsworth, London, on 8 December 1907, a son of George and Gertrude Ellen Barley. In 1911 his family lived at 6 Beach Stone Place, Pakefield. From 6 May 1912 William attended Cunningham Infant School. In the 1920s William served with the Roya West Kent Regiment, service number 6339715. In May 1938 William was appointed postman at Oulton Broad. Burma Railway, Fall of Singapore

Patrick Clare Smith

A Sergeant with 148 (The Bedfordshire Yeomanry) Field Regiment, Patrick died on 24th of July 1943 aged 37. Patrick was born at Druncliff (sic), County Clare, Ireland, on 2 January 1906, a son of Jonathan and Sarah Ann Smith. Patrick’s father had served with the Royal Artillery for 27 years and volunteered to rejoin the artillery in 1914 and served throughout the First World War. In 1911 his family lived at 4 Ashby Road, Lowestoft, and this was still their address in 1919. Fall of Singapore, FEPOW, Burma Railway

George William Mace

A Private with the 4th Battalion, George died on 17th of July 1943 aged 29. George was born at Kirkley on 14 December 1913, a son of Arthur Samuel and Harriet Mace. In 1921 his family lived at 5 Kendal Road, and this was still the family home in 1939. George was working as a general labourer when he enlisted in the Suffolk Regiment, and he was posted to the 4th Battalion. Fall of Singapore, FEPOW, Burma Railway

Amos George John Solomon

A Private with 6th Battalion, Amos died on 16th of July 1943 aged 22. Amos was born in Oulton Broad on 21 February 1921, a son of John William and Ethel May Solomon. By 1939 his family were living at 12 Hadenham Terrace, Carlton Colville, and Amos was a carter. When he enlisted, he stated that he was a farm labourer. Later his family lived at 43 Lowestoft Road, Carlton Colville. Fall of Singapore, FEPOW, Burma Railway

Cuthbert Martin Parkhurst Pugh

A Private with the 5th Battalion, Cuthbert died on 12th of July 1943 aged 30. Cuthbert was born at Wimbledon, London, on 21 June 1913, a son of The Reverend Baldwyn de Fonmartin and Emily Marion Pugh. He was baptised at Saint Saviour’s Church, Raynes Park, on 20 July 1913 and his family lived at Talbot Road, Wimbledon. In 1921 his family lived at Kings Cottage, Monnington on Wye, Brobury, Herefordshire. By 1934 Cuthbert’s father had become the Rector of Gisleham and his family lived at Gisleham Rectory. Fall of Singapore, FEPOW, Burma Railway

James William Durrant

A Private with the 4th Battalion, James died on 3rd of October 1943 aged 22. James was born at Dovercourt, Essex, on 7 February 1921, a son of James Robert and Winifred Anne Durrant. He was baptised at All Saints’ Church, Dovercourt, on 6 March 1921, and his family lived at 7 Lea Road, Dovercourt. By 1939 his family were living at 10 Laurel Road, Lowestoft. James was working as a salesman when he joined the Suffolk Regiment and served with 3 Company in the 4th Battalion. Fall of Singapore, FEPOW, Burma Railway

Harold Ernest Soanes

A Private with 6th Bn., Harold died on 18th of January 1942 at the age of 23. Harold was born at Lowestoft in 1918 a son of Frederick William and Anna Maria Soanes. His family lived at 66 Albany Cottages, Kirkley. In 1939 his family lived at 88 Kirkley Run. Harold married Rhoda Batty, of Kirkley, in 1940.In late 1939 the 6th Battalion was stationed at Sheringham and in spring 1940 guarded the coast from Sheringham to Overstrand. In August 1940 the Battalion moved to Holt and later in the year they moved to Weybourne, and then Swaffham. Fall of Singapore

Robert Allan George Gardner

A Private with 4th Bn., Robert died on 14th of February 1942 at the age of 26. Robert was born at Willingham, Suffolk, on 1 August 1916, a son of Robert and Edith Florence Gardner. In 1921 his family lived at Willingham and in 1939 Robert lived with his parents at Grange Cottages, Gisleham.In 1941 Robert married Doris May Gook, at Lowestoft, and their home was at Dell Road, Lowestoft. Robert's brother-in-law, Alfred Gook, died in 1943. Fall of Singapore

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Fall of Singapore