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 1 - 10 of 59

Allen Dunnett

A Private with the 4th Battalion, Allen died on 25 June 1943, aged 21.Allen was born at Halesworth on 26 July 1921, a son of Frederick and Ethel Maud Dunnett. His family lived at 9 Quay Street, Halesworth. In 1941 Allen married Ivy May Lambert, of 18 Brickfields Cottages, The Street, Somerleyton. Allen was a gardener when he enlisted in the Suffolk Regiment. He was posted to the 4th Battalion. Fall of Singapore, FEPOW, Burma Railway, the100

Leon George Harry Patin

A Gunner with 7th Coastal Regiment, Leon died on 5 March 1943, aged 26.Leon was born at Walthamstow on 8 March 1916, a son of Leonard and Dorothy Patin. In 1921 Leon, and his mother, lived with his maternal grandmother, Emily Sheraton, at 67 Holme Road, East Ham. Leon’s mother married Robert Whinney. Fall of Singapore, FEPOW, the100

Stanley Frederick Blowers

Private with the 4th Battalion, Stanley died on 12 February 1942 at the age of 24.Stanley was born at Lowestoft on 19 March 1918, a son of Ernest George and Ellen Louisa Blowers. In 1925 his family lived at 25 Raglan Street, and this was still the family home in 1939.Initially Stanley served with the Royal Army Medical Corps, as indicated by his army service number. At some point he was posted/transferred to the Suffolk Regiment and served with the 4th Battalion. Fall of Singapore

Richard Joseph Breach

A Private with the 6th Battalion, Richard died on 20 October 1943 at the age of 25.Richard was born at Lowestoft on 9 October 1918, a son of Ernest Edward and Syrena Breach. A note in prisoner of war records suggests that Richard was born at 19 Saint Aubyns Road, Pakefield. In 1921 his family lived at 12 Carlton Road, and this was still their home when Richard’s father died in 1934. Fall of Singapore, FEPOW, Burma Railway

Charles William Porter

A Private, Charles died on 8th of December 1944 at the age of 30. Charles was born at Lowestoft on 7 April 1914, a son of John and Violet Mabel Porter. He was baptised at Saint Margaret's Church on 24 April 1914 and his family lived at 70 Stanley Street. In 1921 his family lived at 12 Minden Road and by 1939 his parents were living at 14 Union Road, Lowestoft.Charles was working as a fish curer when he joined the Army. nopic, Fall of Singapore, FEPOW, Burma Railway

Joffre Douglas Waters

A Private with the 4th Battalion, Joffre died on 14th of June 1943 aged 26. Joffre was born at Lowestoft on 7 October 1916, a son of Thomas and Alice Waters. In 1921 his family lived at 2 Love Road and by 1939 their home was at 75 Love Road. In 1939 Joffre married Dororthy Ellen Maud Benton, this was registered in the Lothingland district. Dorothy came from Padstow, Cornwall. Fall of Singapore, FEPOW, Burma Railway

William George Buckenham

A Private with the 4th Battalion, William died on 18th June 1943 at the age of 28. William was born at Lowestoft on 13 May 1915, 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 William worked as a fish buyer for a shop. FEPOW, Fall of Singapore

William John Lambert

A Private with the 4th Battalion, William died on 16th of November 1943 at the age of 23. William was born at Kirkley on 2 August 1920, a son of John William and Lilian Irene Lambert. He was baptised at Saint Peter's Church, Kirkley, on 5 September 1920. In 1921 he, and his parents, lived with his maternal grandparents Walter and Rachel Bunn, at 18 Lovewell Road, Kirkley. His parents still lived at 18 Lovewell Road in 1939. Later they lived at 3 Seaman's Cottages, Gorleston Road, Oulton Broad. Fall of Singapore, FEPOW, Burma Railway

Neville Francis Grice

A Driver with 18th Division Headquarters, Neville died on 17th November 1942 aged 25. Neville, who was often known as Frank, was born at Saxmundham on 8 June 1917, a son of Francis William and Muriel Jennie Grice. In 1921 his family lived at Seafield, The Esplanade, Lowestoft. By 1939 his parents were living at Rockhill, Beach Road, Kessingland. In 1939 Neville was living at 66 Stowmarket Road, Neeham Market, and he was a hairdresser. FEPOW, Fall of Singapore, Burma Railway

Felix Hugh Gwilliam

A Signalman, with the Signal Section 21 Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment, Felix died on 19th of January 1945 aged 34.Felix was born at Lowestoft on 7 July 1910, a son of James George and Amelia Bond Gwilliam. In 1921 his family lived at Harbour House, Lowestoft, as his father was the Harbour Master. In 1934 Felix married Hilda Florence Setterfield, this was registered in the Mutford district. In 1939 they lived at 48 Salisbury Road and Felix was a wholesale grocery and provision salesman. After the war Hilda lived at Limes Cottage, Forncett Saint Peter, Norfolk. Fall of Singapore, FEPOW

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Fall of Singapore