AUS-NSW-NORCO-L Archives

Archiver > AUS-NSW-NORCO > 2002-03 > 1016311053


From: "Julie Bambach" <>
Subject: POW deaths at sea
Date: Sun, 17 Mar 2002 07:37:33 +1100


I recently came across a book written by Don Wall called Heroes at Sea.

It contains Honor Rolls of those POW's, mostly Australian and British, that
were being sent to Japan where they were to work in factories. Approximately
1800 died at sea when their Japanese transports were sunk by US submarines.

My uncle was a POW, but we never knew what happened to him even though I
obtained his service records. From the info provided in this book I have
been able to work out his last days.
The following names are of POW's from the NORTH COAST/ MANNING VALLEY who
died on Japanese transports:

TheTamahoko Maru was sunk on 24 June 1944 only 2hrs from Nagasaki. The
majority of the POWs were fromTasmania, Victoria and SA.

Bailey, Sgt W.A Grafton 38yrs

The Rakuyo Maru was sunk in Sept 1944 with 1300 POW's. A number were crew
from HMAS Perth which had previously been sunk. All the POWs managed to
escape the ship onto rafts but most died over the next 4 days from exposure.
A couple of hundred were rescued by an American sub and other vessels.

Baird, Pte J.H S. Murwillumbah 37yrs
Beathe, Pte H.S Cundletown 25yrs
Bourke, Spr J.H Murwillumbah 26yrs
Deuchar Gnr D.S Codrington 25yrs
Hayward, Pte V.C Casino 23yrs
Jones, Sigmn F.A Maclean 23yrs
Lack, Sigmn C.G Condong 23yrs
Lewis, Pte M.G Lismore 28yrs
Linnane, Pte V.P.P Lismore 22yrs
McDowell, Cpl M.W Torrington 26yrs
May, Pte F.G Lennox Head 23yrs
Mudford, Pte K.M Wootton 33yrs
Munro, Cpl James Maclean 39yrs
Page, Spr Merrick Maclean 24yrs
Sunderland, Gnr A.G Nimbin 26yrs
Thomas, Pte William Wingham 39yrs
Vidler, Dvr V.N Nth Arm, Tweed Rvr 23yrs

Montevideo Maru was sunk off the Phillipines on 1 July 1942 on the way
to Hainan carrying over 1000 POW's and civilians. The POW's belonged to LARK
FORCE. There were no survivors.

Attwood, Pte F.J Casino 28yrs
Gumley, Gnr Darald Bangalow 19yrs
Kelly, Pte B.G Sth Grafton 22yrs
Lamborn, Pte W,G Coolongolook 24yrs
Seamark, Gnr J.C Macksville 19yrs

Civilians lost on the same ship: (List includes many British and Norwegians
captured in Rabaul)
Page, H.H Grafton 53yrs
Trevitt, J.W Murwillumbah 28yrs

I have not included their service number or unit in which they served. I can
supply these if needed.

Regards
Julie










This thread: