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This is very rough, but ives you a fair impression – I left B/Mati early on Monday 16th and arrived at Pulan Batam at dawn – I hid all day and in the evening when walking along the beach met Cecil jones and his men – that was about 6pm Monday 16th, the approx.. Position is marked X – I left with my chaps about 11pm that night and following the line, reached Sumatra on 21st.
P.T.O.
Original filed at 22B 0s/1088/J
Before I left we had a long chin wag and he told me he had sent an officer and some men off to get assistance in the one around boat and he intended to wait 4 days and if no assistance came he would try to march south in the hope of collecting boats on the shore of Batam, and from there to hop on to Sumatra – I haven’t met anyone who heard of his party, tho Pickard met the officer at a place named Tanjong Pinang who was preparing to go back.
Cecil had about 80 men British and Indian – I knew several of the Indians. But, only one of the British a Sgt. Major – Ill send his name on to you later on to you later on, Ive forgotten it for the moment – you may be able to get news of Cecil thro the Sgt. Major if he is a prisoner. Ill wright again.  

Yours sincerely, (signed) D Richey

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(below list missing some info please see link for further info)

KEY TO CAUSE OF DEATH:

BB=BERI BERI

DY=DYSENTRY

MA=MALARIA

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Name                                                  Cause of death                                          where    

1787337 Brewster J                      Excecuted by Japanese                        Tanjug Pinang N.E.I

1786867 Meakin A,E                             Ditto for all    

851141 Jessop J,T

1786730 Hampton C

Bowden B.S.M

Lees SGT

Hall SGT

Harvey SGT

Hudson 22 BTY

James Sgt 22 BTY

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1419668 BDR SIg Border J.H         Head blown off by bomb                  Feb 42 Geylang Singapore

1427482 Mann                                     no info Ditto for all

845353 Nolan

858930 Otter R.M

833834 Smith T

1786056 Nichol 32 BTY                  BB & DY                                             1943 Camburi Hosp

863089 Kelly 32 BTY                      BB                                                      1944? Camburi camp

0962043 Thomas 32 BTY               DY                                                          Ditto next few

791731 Haley 7 BTY                          BB

Haley 7 coast                                    BB                                                 Kamchamb Pow camp POW

Bor Hamer G                                    DY                                                    Tamanahm P.O.W Camp

1426687? BOR Geary                      DY                                                    Tamanahm P.O.W Camp

858930 Dtter 32 BTY                      MA                                                    Chun Koe POW Camp

1419668 Border J 22 Bty              exicuted in Hospital                        Alexander singapore 13/2/42

1427482 Mann H,C                     Dy & MA & mal nutrition                          Wan Yei POW Siam

Silvester A 22bty                              MA                                                       Merouie POW Sian

Clewer 7 Coast RA                           DY                                                            Apporm POW                             

Thomas R 32 BTY                            DY                                                          Kamchamb Pow

Westgate 22 BTY                            Mal Nutrition                                    Tamanahm P.O.W Camp

797104 Beedie                              Burns demolition duty                           Changi Fort 12/2/42

1068160 COX CR W/SGT Geary      no info                                                         Changi

845829 Rafferty G                            no info                                                 Changi POW Hosp

1417210 Epps                                 Privations as POW                                 Harclock Singapore

1419668 Border                       Executed Alexander Hosp

1068160 Cox C,R                         Privations as POW

1417270 Epps                            Died in sleep DY&BB                              Harclock Singapore POW

1063419 Davey                                  MA                                                               Changi

1068160 Cox C,R 32 BTY               MA or DY                                                       Changi

1425450 Rucroft 23 BTY                Broke Thy                                             Tamuang Thailand

1063419 Davey R,J                            DY                                                                 Changi

63369 Dulley D,C                      Weapon reflecting durng air raid  near Changi

891959 Ciles                             Funeral was at Changi Cem

1493232 Furlong R                            DY                                                            Changi Hosp

797104 Beedie                          Entered Changi with two molton cocktails and threw it up died 5hrs later at Katone

863857 Johnson,                          MA&DY                                                 Roberts Hosp Changi

1547502 William, 845353 Nolan P, 823857 Johnson, 1427241 Slater

went with Japanese party from Changi on 17th Oct sent overseas

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845454 Hall T,D                            Air raid 15/2/42

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872575 Mccan J, 1427395 Jeffries & 1427206 Hunter D

Were executed on the beach near Changi, were caught by the Japanese after singapore fell and were accused of being spies.

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808865 Harvey F, 812399 & 812399 Blackstock E,K.

Rumoured to of been exicuted in Sumatra after escaping Palu Tekong.

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1417270 Epp S                                  Died in sleep                                               POW camp

872055 Welsh                     Woonded to knee and arms                              Polonterone island

833006 ---Son                                         Killed on 9'2 Position at Pulontero

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Letter

No 855996
17/04/46
Dear Sir,
The only information I can give you about the missing personel of 9th Coast Regt, that is the last time I saw them was in pril 1942 just before the regt got broken up by the Japs from different camps.
Yours Sincerely 
l/Bchr Benson.

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Letter

Letter
842434 Colbert
04/04/46
Sir,
About every casualty that I know about has been ------ less for, 1419668 Bdn Sig Border J.H. who was supposed to have been killed in Alexander Hospital when the Japanese took it. He was however in Hospital with malaria, at the time, and it appeared to be general knowledge afterwards that he was one of the patients that was bayonetted when the Japs ran around in the wards.
Another person is Gnr Howell of32nd ( c ) Battery he died at wan yin Hospital camp in Sian in August 1943 from dysentery & malaria. I was on a working party close by at the time.

Sir
Your obedient Servant
J Colbert L/Bdr

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Letter

Letter
06/01/46
Sir,
Reference your letter MEE/DR/56620
I enclose form with details of known casualties. Reference 847959 W.S sgt Giles.W. this MCD was to Christmas Island prior to the Japanese campaign.
I understand from B.S.M W Deas 9th Coast Reg RAthat the individuals whose names are mentioned on Leiut attempted to escape with Lt Innes-Pocock and I suggest he be contacted for particulars.
B.S.M W Ecas who informed me that the following attempted escape as a separate party.
876942 Gnr Chadwick JJ        
860820 Gnr Seary D.J.M
876464 A/Bdr Heaton L  KIA
851970 Gnr Hume C Dead Pow 
876550 Gnr Dewhurst F Kia
I Understand 1064310 Sgt Rudlour R.J left with an official escape party on or about 13/02/1942 he was then recovering from a fractured thigh but was otherwise in reasonably good health
(Sined) Cooper

​

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Letter (Extremly hard to read)

(Extremely scrawly hand weighting) Dated 20/02/44

He affirmed that these men left Singapore in his party of6 on 13/02/42 in  the Banka Straits on this15/02/42 the order was given to abandon ship, he saw (grafter?) sitting on a raft &Ludlow in the water, the latter was (Gaey?) Poa (scochine?) but was wearing a life belt. Major Bedfod stated that he other 2 men of his party were named Kelly & Buke Identified us no 1426994 U/L/Bdi R Kelly R.A (Ralaya Thawnes Wks pus?) KIA on a (shaltey?) after 13/02/42 (Cate?)
No 872441 P/A/Sgt R Burke 3/H A A ported to Malaya Tmy wing?
Main Bdfnd himself after being 8 ½ hrs in the water was picked up by the enemy & taken to (Palenbing?) P/W camp, the casualty of which were rept by a Lt Hill I.A Potently up/fe304 & Lt (Cmdi?)  

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Report (Extremly hard to read)

(Extremely scrawly hand weighting)

Statement, 22/09/45
On November 22 1943 I was captured imprisoned by Japanese Court Martial at (Banlok?) and sent to Singapore (oulian Road) I was there for 21 months and durng that time numerous people died, some there of starvation and others executed the names dates and places of deaths nd executions will probably be found among some of the (Pauos?) officers at Changi or who were at Changi durng the time. A list of names of Pow who died in and out of oulian Road good can be had from Lt lomax E (Royal corps of Liguals)
As regards (something) of Brutal (illegible) I can only say that the Japs in the prison told us they were executed 2nd July, 24 people ser executed 13 British and American, 11 Chinese also 2 Pow’s died of (slarualws?) and need of medical attention. These Pow names are listed at Changi, the names also of the Americans as far as I am aware will only be obtainable from the Japanese Prison authorities who were there at the time.

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Letter

Date 07/12/45
Sir,
With reference to your Meranderum dated 1st December 1945, I have the honour to report that the attached supply of all the information, I am able to fire regarding personnel in question. This information is taken from my personal copy of the 9th coast regimental records kept by the HQ Pow camp at Changi Sumatra, which, to the best of my knowledge were correct, RAP.w.i on our release.

1064318 Sgt Ludford R.J.    
843546 P/A/Bdr Parker W.E 
1470599 Gnr Strlin D.P.L

I an Sir,
Your Obedient servant. 

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Report

Information given by: 58010 A.C.Toker
9th Coast Regiment R.A
These men were all stationed in forts on Tekong Island off Singapore. After its captulation they left in various parties in small boats in an attempt, presumably, to make for Sumatra or Java. I have no information, I knew officers who left with the parties:

153556 2/Liut A.C Bateman R.A    
76185 Capt J.G Gordon R.A
47120 Leiut E Innes -Pocock R.A
Leiut C.H.G Jones R.A
All of 9th coast Reg R.A

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Information

Information given by: 58010 A.C.Toker
9th Coast Regiment R.A
These men left Tekong Island in some parties as is on list 1, on about September 1944, 1424417 WO11 (BSH) Deas .W.F., 9th coast Regiment R.A who was in Pow camp at Changi for a few hours to receive dental treatment, reported that they had been killed by the Japanese on an Island February 1942, I did not speak to B.S.M Deas myself.

​

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Information

Information given by: 58010 A.C.Toker
9th Coast Regiment R.A
These men left forts in Tekong Island in the same parties as on lists 1 and 2 they were later reported by personel returning to Changi from Thailand camps as having (ouired?) in Thailand with a working party for this Northern East Indies and having died there.
On the back of the sheet:

1068160 W/Sgt Cox C.R – Died 09/05/42 - Dysentery POW


1063(hole) P/A/L/Bdr Davey R.S – Died 24/03/42 - Dysentery POW


1493232 Gnr Furlong R – Died 27/07/42 – Dysentery POW        


840283 Gnr Hall G – Died 27/07/42 - (Pyaemia?) POW


845829 Gnr Rafferty G – Died 08/04/42 - Dysentery POW


1427123 Gnr Robinson C.G - Died 08/04/42 - Dysentery POW


797442 Gnr Wilkinson w - Died 20/04/42 - Dysentery POW


1470569 Gnr Yates W.C – Died 04/07/42 – (Eucephalitis?) POW

​

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Information

Information given by: 58010 A.C.Toker
9th Coast Regiment R.A
The men as attached list attempted to escape from PRW Camp at Changi Singapore. They were approached by the Japanese in Singapore city and given a form of court maitial.

​

They were sentenced to death and executed by shooting on 19th March 1942.

8213 Liat CR C.P Heath D.S.O R.A and 
144572 Capt B Ginti R.A (9 coast Reg R.A)were witnesses to execution.

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Information

797104 W/Sgt Beedie J – Died0n 12 or 13 Feb 42 as the result of an accident while destroying guns Buried in Martia Road Cemetery Katona Singapore grave no 12.
1787071 Gnr mortones died at Adam Park Camp Singapore 18/06/42 (Depatry?) grave no 41.

1427168 Gnr Scott E – Killed at Alexandra Raoe Depst while preforming duties about 10/02/42

1525070 Gnr Stokes A.N – Died OAS 12/02/42 Japanese deaths recorded.

863389 W/Bdr Dulley D.C Killed O.A.S Feb 1942 as results of wounds received from bomb fragments

1417270 Bdr Epps.s – Died in Singapore whileon Japanese work party 11/06/42

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Information

843072 Gunner Meehan – Left Changi Pow camp in April 45 with 1JA working party no 3/x5 with either Singapore Island or Johore as do(hole)

865481 Gnr North E – Recorded as having been seen in hospital at the Chinese High School Singapore about a fortnight after captulation.

1425450 Gnr Rucroft J.H – Left Changi Pow camp for Burma or Thailand with working party on 24/10/42

850918 P/A/L Bdr Wheeler P.D – Left Singapore with working party for overseas dismantian on 04/09/42

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Statment

876942 Gnr Chadwick J.J    
875987 Gnr Lascelles F
1547502 Gnr Mc William C.A
793769 W/Sgt Harvey F
844593 Gnr Hood C.W
812399 P/A Sgt Hudson R.H
5771941 Gnr Thompson G
I no 822854 Gnr Cole A.J at present serving with 50th R.A reserve regt. Field India Command state at follows:-
I embarked from U.K on 15th Aug 1941 on draft RFZWZ for Malaya and disembarked in Singapore about the middle of November 1941. After spending 3 days at Blackamatti Island I was posted to 22 coast battery 9 coast regt R.A which moved to war stations on teckon Island about the end of November 1941 and I moved with the bty. I was then a signaller. I remained on Tekon Island until the fighting approached the causeway just before the siege of Singapore commenced when I was sent to the mainland for 3 days on F.O.P work. I was then recalled to Tekon Island for observation work at Redcliffe. I was recalled to the Bty. From Redcliffe on 14 Feb 42. The Bty. Was then at SPHINKS on TEKON Island and I escaped from Tekong Island on 16th Feb 42 in a native tonkong, which was a motor boat. There were 17 other personal with me in the boat all from 22 coast battery. We reached Bintan Estates on 18th Feb 42 and left there on 19th Feb 42 for Sumatra. We reached Sumatra about 23rd Feb 42 and stayed there about a week. About 2-3 March 42 we embarked on a Dutch cargo boat from pendang in Sumatra for Ceylon and disembarked in Ceylon about 10 March 42.

The following personnel were in my Bty in the 6” section and I knew them well as Gnr Chadwick, Sgt Clarkson, Sgt Harvey, Gnr Hood and Sgt Hudson. I have been shown a copy of W.O microgram letter no MB/M/419 Encl. I dated 17th Nov 44 giving initials and reg no of personnel of the same names who are missing from Malaya. I do not know the initials Christian names or numbers of any of the personnel I have mentioned above.

 
I last saw Gnr Chadwick, Sgt Clarkson, Sgt Harvey, Gnr Hood and Sgt Hudson on section parade about 0900 hrs on the morning of Sunday 15th Feb 42. They were then on Tekon Island with the 6” section. I was in the same section on parade. I escaped the following day and did not see them again. I have no information on weather they escaped or not nor have I heard from them since.

The following personnel were in 9 coast regt, but not in my Bty. Viz Gnr Lascelles, Gnr Mc William  Gnr Thompson, Gnr Lascelles and Gnr Thompson were particular friends of mine and were on Penrang on the mainland. I last saw these three gunners about the end of November 41 when I was moved to war stations on Teckon island Penrang was in communication with Tekon island until the night of Sunday 15th Feb 42 as I was told by an officer capt Gordon that a message had been received at 2245 hrs from Penrang wishing us all the best of luck.
Signed (822854)

(See doccument for list of people, men on this list appear in the above table, but this will give you an idea of what they were doing at the time)
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Information

Sgt Hughes T 1474006 last saw and spoke to 2/Lt Bateman A.C in the company of two Dutch officials at REO, one of the islanders of the Dutch East Indies, I was in the company of two other B.O.R’s Gnr .Connor 1481036 and Gnr Allen 5726421. We asked them if they would come with us, but 2/lt Batman replied that he did not think that the boat we had was seaworthy. The Dutch Officials said they could not leave because they were waiting to hand over to the Japs, but advised us to leave immediately, Date 18 feb 42. The only information I have about other personnel is as follows:-

L/Bdr (art) Bryant J.O.F 828276


Gnr Mcintyre J 1547502


Gnr Payne 1427597


Gnr Mccormick E.W 868763        


Gnr Jessop J.T 851141

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The a/m B.O.R’s were at Tekon Bty when I left on 16th Feb 42 I have no information regarding B.S.M Sargeant A 1052800

Statment

5726421 W/Bdr W.Allen last saw 2/lt A.C Bateman 17 feb 42 Rio Island and W/Bdr Blackstock W/BQMS F.G Bowden Gnr F. Lascelles F.W Mccormack T Mcdermott and J.T Jessop 15 feb 42 statement follows fam statements from others being obtained   

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Statement hard to read

Sir,
I regret to (?), I am not in a position to give any information of 1052800 B.S.M Sgt R.A (?) from the list supplied, have (?) the names of personnel who I knew very well, these men were either stationed at Paula Tekong on Poula Sajahat, two out forth islands approx. 3 miles from Changi up to the time I left on13 Feb 42 to go to the hospital at Singapore, these men were in good health and there had been no casualties among them, I knew all these men personally as I was stationed at Paula Tekong myself by the side of some of the notes of personnel I have added the name of the island on which they were stationed, the ones that are left blank indicate that these men were in the battery on Paula Tekong on Sajahat, but I couldn’t be sure as to which section.   (?) sincerely that this list will be of assistance to you,
I remain sir,
Your obedient servant,
Rly Welsh Bdm.

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Statement

Statement  by 4388397 Bdr Parks H
I saw 2nd leut A.C Bateman and 843546 Bdr Parkes W.E at Tekong Penang in Rhio island of Singapore on 16th Feb 42, I spoke to them for about five minutes and they were all in good health and attempting to reach territory by a small motor boat which they had in their possession.
Bdr parkes was very fluent in the Malay language and it is possible that he could pass as a native.
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Report

2/Lt Bateman A.C, and another officer were in command of a detachment of men on an island called Pula Sajahat. The other officers name I do not know, I believe that he formally had been stationed at Paenang. On the 13th or 14th feb 42 no life was seen on Sajahat, which could be seen from Ladong Bty which was on the west end of Pula Tekong. On the Sunday someone went across to Sajahat and found that it had been deserted and no guns had been blown up.

There were only about twenty men at Ladong, and about twenty of us were sent there as reinforcements. The following are some of the men when I can remember being there:

i/c 2/lt Innes-pocock

840463 Wright

808865 Harvey

844593 Hood

1045495 McDermott

1053936 Bowden

1062169 Hall

812399 Hudson

840283 Hall G

​

The following of these were sent to Sajhat to blow up all equipment. They were not seen again.
GNR Heed, GNR Hall, SGT Harvey and SGT Hudson.

1419112 SGT Lees GF was either at Ladong or the other fort on the east of the island.
GNR Huitsen was at Sphinx Bty along with the following:

​

4387052 Fester

860711 Johnson

833834 Smith

838358 Blackstock

860511 Mason

87249 Smart

851142 Bennett

851142 Ralphs

851857 Wright

3712059 Southworth

805915 Filby

7582090 Kerr

3528979 Burke

1427559 Thomas

1426704 serbins

1787207 Davis

856063 Silvester

5670320 Sprouting

1427599 Blackmore

847280 Mccormick

851512 Mason

872016 Walsh

5184574 Pickford

4690064 Oldroyd

2086570 Swaine

833158 Fegan

- Smith KG

872741 Breslin

840307 Crempton

872740 Graham

1607388 Pendergast

872386 Driver

Then my party arrived at one of the Dutch Islands, we came in contact with some of the others who managed to get away, we all got together and made our party. While we were there we met 2/LT Bateman and L/Bdr Parker W. they told us that there party was stationed on a smaller island and that they were trying to get them some food. 
The party that we joined told us that another party had made a break for it, but no one knew which way they had gone but through that they may have headed for Australia. Some of these men are:

Smith, Pickford,Pendigast,Graham,Welsh,Huitsen, Fegan,Bennett,Burks,Ralphs,Wright,Breslin,Smart,Welsh,Sorbbons, Filly and Kerr

1427087 GNR Adair M, GNR Anderson S. 142639 and a Gnr Ogg were sent to Singapore to join a unit called Independent INF.
The following were at Pedang

843833 Acton

793769 Clarkson

872393 Redpath J.R

Lees

Abbott

3763444 German

872575 Mccann

​

​GNR Jessop and Sjt Lees were either at Ladang or Padang.
GNR Scott E 1427168 was last known to be at Changi but it is believed that he was sent to Fort Canning.
BQMS Hamilton was sent to the 7th Coast or elsewhere in that area, I am not quite sure about him.

851141 Jessop
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Report

The following were at Tekong Fort, when the guns were blown, all spare men were put in the Plotting room.
Major Elliott was O.C Bty, whenlast seen was in hystria

(List on download)

​

GNR Cole, GNR Boothby, BSM Tate, BSM Kelly, BSM Tayler GNR Thomas, GNR Fermos, GNR Fieldhouse, Kyle, Thomas, Smith C L, L/BDR Wainwright.

Gunner Payne E.F was employed in the M.I room at Changi.

1417270 BDR Epps S was last at RHQ i/c Cookhouse and Rations.

847959 WS/SGT Giles W, was believed to be at Padang.

The following were last seen at Calder: 
SGT James, GNR Atkinson, GNR Lees.

The following were last known to be at Calder:
BSM Deas, GNR’S McCready, Kay and Philpo(y/t)s.

A GNR Moore was employed at Changi, in 22nd Bty office.

Of those who were left in the Plotting it had been told to me that GNR Goodman was injured while demolitions were done, GNR Pildhouse and another were killed.

The parents of GNR Goodman have not been informed that he is missing. My people were not told that I was missing, they did not know about me until I write them from Quetta.

Statement

Statement by No 872581 GNR Bell T.
(note I think some of the dates should be 1942 instead of 1944)
2/Liet A.C. Bateman & 843546 W/BDR Parker…
Were last seen at Tan Jong Pinang on 18/2/42 going back to enemy held territory to pick up more of their men. I gave them petrol for a launch to see them through, I never saw or heard of them again.

847959 W/SGT Giles W.
Was posted to Christmas island in Oct 1941 and was not in Singapore when it fell. He was posted after being court-martialled.

1427350 GNR Hawkins N H.
Was serving with 23/24 medium BTY RA and was in the Bty in Mar 1944 when I left it.

All these men were fit and well on16/2/44 in Palu Tekong. It is not known what subsequently happened to them:

(download file at top of page to see names)

Statment

LT Bateman:
Last seen on the Dutch island of Tanjong Pinang in accompany with 843546 P/A/BDR Parker W E. 
The above mentioned officer and (homlerdier?) with the aid of a compass I provided them with, (plainly?) told me, they would reurn to an island by the name of Poulau Sambo to pick up some of his men who were stationed there with no means of water transport, the date was the 19/2/42

Sir,
I submit this my statement regarding the following men. 2nd Lt Bateman, BDR Parker. They were last seen by me at Tan Jong Pinang and they were in good health, they were retreating by boat to find if any more men stationed on the island of Bintang. The following men (?) the island of Palu Tekong by boat, I have not seen them since.

​

838358 BDR Blackstock E.K


840283 GNR Hall G


847280 M(carmick?) E.

W
872539 M(frgire?) J


845353 Nolan P


843640 Pritchard G.W


872393 Redpath J.R


863298 Ryan J.J


863328 Ryan J


856063 Sgt Silvester A


5670320 GNR Sprouting A.W


844593 Hood C


1526858 H(aiton?) N

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Statment

Statement from 880646 Lenard L
I was attached to no4 water transport coy R.A.S.C Paula Brani, Singapore.

L.A.C Allen stoyle of the RAF from south Wales who was attached to 31 coast battery, Bourna Vista was picked up by us about three days journey south Sumatra. He had been bombed and was seriously wounded in the thigh, right breast, both arms and had lost a finger on his right hand. He had been in the water eight hours. We left in style in south Sumatra military hospital about 6th or 7th March 1942.

Sgd L Lenard GNR 
23rd April 43

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Statment

1470054 OR/53856 Ward, RA11th bty 7th coast reg
Blackang mate Malaya, who was wounded in the right leg and was progressing well when I left (?) a bombing attack I know of several other ranks but do not know their reg particulars. If the names would help you I would gladly communicate with you again, yours sincerely RAE Birch