Brothers Eric Roy Carey, R.A. & Robert Edward Carey, R.A

Brothers Eric Roy Carey & Robert Edward Carey, R.A.
(Died while POWs in Japanese hands)

Can anyone who has researched POWs of the Japanese assist with information on the following two questions please? This is for a WW2 'Roll of Honour'.

1. Has anyone come across the reason why Gunner Eric Roy Carey, R.A., M.i.D recived the "mention in dispatches", please?

According to a newspaper article (January 1947) Gunner Eric R. Carey was mentioned in dispatches "... for gallant and distinguished service whilst a prisoner of war in Japanese hands."

By deduction, the official citation looks to have been published some time in December 1946.

These are the details for Gunner Carey given by the CWGC:

Eric Roy Carey
Casualty Details

Name: CAREY, ERIC ROY
Initials: E R
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Gunner
Regiment/Service: Royal Artillery
Unit Text: 80 Anti-Tank Regt.
Age: 27
Date of Death: 16/07/1943
Service No: 5341989
Awards: Mentioned in Despatches
Additional information: Son of Robert Gordon Carey and Hannah Sophia Carey;
Husband of Gwendoline Violet Carey, of Upper Norwood, Surrey.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: Column 15.
Memorial: SINGAPORE MEMORIAL, Singapore.

Eric Carey had married Miss Gwendoline Chandler in Surrey (Dec 1940 Qtr). His mother, Mrs Hannah Carey was living in Whitehaven, Cumberland in January 1947.
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2. Does anyone have any details about the death of Lance Bombadier Robert Edward Carey, R.A please?

Robert Edward Carey, R.A. was the brother of Eric Roy Carey, R.A. The two brothers were serving with 80 Anti-Tank Regt. Both of them also died while they POWs in Japanese hands.

There is a slight discrepancy in the CWGC records with their father's middle name. This may at least partly explain why the Commission has not picked up that Eric and Robert were brothers.

Below are the details given by the CWGC for Lance Bombadier Robert Edward Carey, R.A

Robert Edward Carey
Casualty Details

Name: CAREY, ROBERT EDWARD
Initials: R E
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Lance Bombardier
Regiment/Service: Royal Artillery
Unit Text: 80 Anti-Tank Regt.
Age: 32
Date of Death: 26/01/1945
Service No: 995769
Additional information: Son of Robert Edward Carey, and of Hannah Sophia Carey, of Whitehaven, Cumberland.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: VII. D. 19.
Cemetery: SAI WAN WAR CEMETERY, China (Hong Kong)

Thanks very much in advance for any assistance / advice given.

 

The attached image shows Eric and Robert Carey's names listed in the Borough of Whitehaven WW2 'Book of Remembrance'. The family only received word of their deaths in late 1945, some weeks after the Japanese surrender.

Eric Carey's 'Mention in dispatches' appears to have been listed even later - towards the end of 1946.