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 51 - 60 of 60

Robert John Buckenham

A Private with the 4th Battalion, Robert died on 12th of February 1942 at the age of 23. Robert was born at Lowestoft on 20 October 1918, a son of William Henry (Harry) and May Lucy Buckenham. In 1921 his family lived at 17 Wellington Cottages, Clapham Road, and by 1939 their address was given as 17 Clapham Road, Lowestoft. In 1939 Robert worked as a fish curer. Fall of Singapore

Jack Gravells

A Private with the 4th Battalion. Jack died on 14th of February 1942 at the age of 27. Jack was born at Lowestoft on 23 June 1914, a son of Joseph and Florence Gravells. In 1911 his family had lived at 3 Turner's Cottages, Saint John's Road, Lowestoft. By 1921 they were living at 13 Clemence Street, Lowestoft, and this was still their home in 1939 at which time Jack was a fish worker. Fall of Singapore

Edward Baldwyn Pugh

A Sergeant with 251 Field Park Company, Edward died on 10th of December 1942 aged 34. Edward was born at Ilford, Essex, on 4 December 1908, a son of The Reverend Baldwyn de Fonmartin and Emily Marion Pugh. He was baptised at Saint John the Baptist Church, Buckhurst Hill, on 17 January 1909 and his family lived at 5 Stamforth Road, Newbury Park, Ilford. 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, Burma Railway, FEPOW

Bertram George Bardwell

A Gunner with 118 Field Regt., Bertram died on 10th of December 1942 at the age of 21. Bertram was born at Great Yarmouth in 1921, a son of Bertram and Ruth Bardwell. His family lived at 20 Regent Road, Great Yarmouth. In 1939 they lived at 104 Regent Road, Great Yarmouth, and later his parents lived at Lowestoft Suffolk. Fall of Singapore, FEPOW, Burma Railway

Ernest Robert James Read Woolnough

A Sergeant with 197 Field Ambulance, Ernest died on 26th of December 1942 aged 25. Ernest was born at Lowestoft on 15 February 1917, a son of Ernest Charles and Ruby Elizabeth Rosamund Adams Woolnough. He was baptised at Saint Margaret’s Church on 29 April 1917 and his family lived at Oulton Street. Later his parents lived at 50 Lowestoft Road, Carlton Colville. Fall of Singapore, FEPOW

Frederick Arthur William Harper

A Sapper with 288 Field Company, Frederick died on 9th of August 1945 aged 30. Frederick was born at Pakefield on 19 September 1914, a son of John Edward and Emily Folkard Harper. In 1921 his family lived at 38 Sycamore Avenue, Oulton Broad. On 10 October 1934 Frederick married Mabel May Swatman at Saint Michael’s Church, Oulton. Frederick was a gas worker living at 54 Sycamore Avenue, and Mabel was a matron’s assistant living at Saint Osyth, Bridge Road, Oulton Broad. Their home was at Saint Leonard’s, 5 Highland Way, Oulton Broad. Fall of Singapore, FEPOW

Kenneth William Read

A Lance Corporal with the 5th Battalion, Kenneth died on 17th of August 1943 aged 23. Kenneth was born at Leiston on 19 December 1919, a son of Leonard and Dorothy Grace Read. In 1921 his family lived at 11 Station Road, Carlton, Nottingham. By 1939 they were living at 17 Minden Road, Lowestoft, and Kenneth was a grocery provision salesman. Fall of Singapore, FEPOW, Burma Railway

Kenneth Durrant

A Private with 4th Bn., Kenneth died on 19th of August 1943 at the age of 25. Kenneth was born at Leeds on 25 July 1918, a son of Ernest Frank and Christiana Sarah Durrant. He was baptised at Saint John's Church, Lowestoft, on 18 September 1918. At that time his family lived at 35 Wellclose Mount, Leeds. In 1939 his family lived at 137 Bells Road, Gorleston, and Kenneth worked as a baker's ovenman. Kenneth was a nephew of Miss Margaret Ellen Lamb of 59 London Road South, Lowestoft. Fall of Singapore, FEPOW, Burma Railway

George Harold Albert Gooch

A Sergeant with the Army Catering Corps, attached to the 4th Battalion Suffolk Regiment, George died on 14th of August 1943 at the age of 24. George was born at Gisleham on 1 May 1919, a son of Albert Alfred and Ethel Agnes Gooch. he was baptised at Saint John's Church, Lowestoft, on 23 May 1919 and his family lived at Church Farm Cottages, Gisleham. George's father died in 1930 and his mother remarried and in 1939 she lived at 153 The Avenue, Lowestoft.George married Hilda Maud Rivett in 1940, this registered in the Bury St. Edmunds district. Fall of Singapore, FEPOW

Arthur Hector Coleby

A Private with the 1st Battalion, Arthur died on 3rd of August 1943 aged 34. Fall of Singapore, FEPOW, Burma Railway

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Fall of Singapore