Australian POW in Malaya/Thailand (2/9 Field Ambulance)

Hi all,

My late grandfather (a citizen of Malaya of Chinese descent) was a medical assistant attached to Penang General Hospital in the Straits Settlements at the time. He was sent to one of the POW camps on the Thai Burma railway but did not speak much about his experience. I have been trying to find some information about which camp he may have been sent to, however records on non-POWs are seemingly quite lacking.

He also received postcards after the war from an Australian POW (a C J Doyle), whom we believe he met while in Thailand. From such a postcard, I've managed to locate some information about the soldier including his capture card (attached). I am trying to work out this soldier's movements during the war, as a best guess for my grandfather as well. From my patchy Chinese/Japanese, it seems that he was moved to Thai Camp No. 4 - which appears to refer to either Wan Yai or Tamuan, depending on the year if my research is accurate? I have been unable to locate any further items confirming where C J Doyle was held, and definitely no liberation form on file. If anyone had any suggestions on what else I could try, I would be very happy to receive them!

Also - it seems C J Doyle was moved to the Thai camp in around April 1945 which from my understanding, is after the Thai Burma Railway was completed. Does anyone have any information on why the Japanese were moving soldiers to Thailand at the time? Could it be related to Mergui Road?

Thanks all!

 

It seems that C J Doyle was also a medic ( a private in the Australian Army Medical Corps) and perhaps thats how they met - working together.

Also found - POW medical personnel | The Anzac Portal


TD

 

A search on this site may help you:
Army – World War II – National Archives of Australia, Australian Government

Tim

 

Private DOYLE, CLIVE JOSEPH VX30416 Australian Army 2/9 Field Ambulance


Date of Birth 16 May 1915 from MEEKATHARRA, WA


Date of Enlistment 5 Jun 1940 - Date of Discharge 11 Feb 1946


Prisoner of War = Yes

 

I'm guessing that you have already accessed the NAA database to get his capture card. Searching for files using only Private Doyle's service number shows 3 files being held; the one you have printed out, plus his Prisoners of War Trust Fund application (not digitised) and that his name appears on a list of personnel that provided War Crimes and Trials - Affidavits and Sworn Statements.

You haven't provided your GFs details, but the list of personnel that provided statements includes a non-Australian - this particular file is only for statements from personnel with a surname starting with D, so it is possible that your GF was asked to contribute - try searching the NAA for "war crimes" & his surname.

What is odd is that there is no service file for Private Doyle listed when I search by service number - aha, searching his full name shows there is a digitised pre-war card for his time served in the militia with service number 291527 & that his service file is inexplicably filed with service number VX502784 - but it hasn't been digitised as yet.

If you are willing to pay the $$$ you can get Private Doyle's service file digitised and that may have a copy of his liberation report on it (not long ago it was only $25 to get this done now it's triple that I believe).

 

Thank you Tricky and Tim! I have been trawling through the NAA which has been very helpful indeed.

That is brilliant, thanks Dave!

Unfortunately my grandfather's name does not appear anywhere on the NAA, so no easy answer to our questions - but I will definitely look into whether I can retrieve Private Doyle's service file or a copy of the War Crimes document. Really appreciate your help!

 

Perkins

I obviously dont know the name of the person you are searching for, but in looking for something else I came across the possibility that they (as a civilian) could be named in one of the files at TNA - I say one because they are in alphabetical blocks - for example

Reference: WO 392/24
Description:
Surnames E - J. Also contains details of certain civilian internees, some not of British nationality
Date: [c.1945]
Held by: The National Archives, Kew
Legal status: Public Record(s)
Closure status: Open Document, Open Description


The full series is here - Browse records of other archives | The National Archives

WO 392/23 1945 WO 392; BRITISH PRISONERS OF WAR IN JAPAN OR JAPANESE-OCCUPIED TERRITORY. A - D
WO 392/24 Surnames E - J. Also contains details of certain civilian internees, some not of British nationality
WO 392/25 Surnames K - Q. Also contains details of certain civilian internees, some not of British nationality
WO 392/26 Surnames R - Z. Also contains details of certain civilian internees, some not of British nationality


TD

 

Thanks Tricky for taking the time - my grandfather's surname was Chew (or sometimes incorrectly, Chow). I'm not entirely sure if I am following the TNA website correctly but it appears I either have to sign up with a partner website (Findmypast) or attend TNA in Kew, UK in person to view the records. Is that correct?

I have also tried variations in the Findmypast website and have unfortunately not turned anything up. The search continues!!

 

Hi Perkins

I'm not a member of FMP so dont really understand the ins & outs of their system. If the TNA say that they are on FMP then presumably you need to follow the link? - perhaps use their trial offer, unless some other nice kind member with FMP membership/access can have a look for you

TD

Have a look at - The National Archives POW Archival Reference List | findmypast.co.uk - have to say I cant see WO 392/23 - although the others are there.

Have a good scrutiny of all the files listed there

 

If you are searching for CJ Doyle just be careful as there are at least two.

Conflict World War 2
Record set Prisoners Of War 1715-1945
Archive reference WO 361/1951
First name(s) Clive Joseph
Last name Doyle
Year 1944
Service number VX30416
Rank Private
Regiment -
Country of imprisonment Malaya
Nationality Australian
Prison camp or ship Malaya PoW camp
Archive The National Archives
Document details Prisoners of war, Far East: Malaya POW Camp, name list, as of 1 November 1944; volume VI.
Category Military, armed forces & conflict
Subcategory Regimental & service records
Collections from Great Britain, UK None

Conflict World War 2
Record set Prisoners Of War 1715-1945
Archive reference WO 361/2005
First name(s) Clarence James
Last name Doyle
Year 1944
Service number NX31449
Rank Private
Regiment -
Country of imprisonment Japan Or Thailand
Prison camp or ship Japan or Thailand
Archive The National Archives
Document details Prisoners of war, Far East: POWs sent to Japan from Thailand, up to 1 November 1944; nominal roll.
Category Military, armed forces & conflict
Subcategory Regimental & service records
Collections from Great Britain, UK None

Your grandfather's full name would help anyone searching.

 

Checking NAA

Clive Doyle - gives no results
Clarence Doyle - seems he was in the Infantry, captured in 1942, then in 1944 was missing presumed dead


TD

 

C J Doyle listed amongst dead when the Rakuyo Maru, in convoy en route Singapore to Japan, was sunk by US Submarine Sealion.
Rakuyo Maru
D Died Database
Tim

 

Checking the NAA further as I dont really know my way around the site fully have come across:

DOYLE CLIVE JOSEPH : Service Number - VX502784 : Date of birth - 16 May 1915 : Place of birth - MEEKATHARRA WA : Place of enlistment - ROYAL PARK VIC : Next of Kin - DOYLE ALMA -

might be the one in timuk's post?, but obviously the service number is different

TD

The C J Doyle in timuk's post is Clarence NX 31449
D Died Database

 

Tony & Timuk - Early in my searches I definitely did get tripped up with the other C J Doyle (Clarence), however once I managed to locate the POW capture card, it confirmed for me that it was Clive Joseph Doyle that I was looking for as his address in Australia matches the postcard that was sent to my grandfather. Thanks for pointing that out!

Tricky - thanks and I will definitely have to scour that list of WWII documents to see if anything may be of relevance. The Clive Joseph Doyle you have turned up is the one I am after, although as DaveB mentioned previously, for some reason he seems to also have a difference service number on that particular record. Very confusing!

Thank you all for your input

 

Perkins-You came to the right place with your questions! Great work from these members