Hi Chris and all. My first non-comm query for WW2 (have done a couple for WW1). This may not be in the right spot, as I am seeking additional info on the said subject but I am guessing there's a possibility, if further facts can be found, that it is a non-comm. The only info I have is a document held by the NAA, which is not yet scanned: Title: Murder of Lieutenant Couttes and Private Nicholls at Bukit Kulai Contents date range: 1946 - 1949 Barcode: 32163630 I will order the document to be examined and copied, if necessary, but I first wanted to see if there's any trace of the event elsewhere. I have done some searching of NAA, Trove, etc., however, I cannot find anything so far. Unfortunately the document title doesn't include a date for the event. The NAA's date range could mean that the event took place in 1946 or it could have happened earlier and the date relates to subsequent correspondence. According to CWGC, only one man named COUTTES was killed in WW2, a Petty Officer on HMS Landrail. There were two Lieutenants named COUTTS killed in WW2: Percy Gordon Coutts, South African Air Force, d.14/08/1944 Campbell Eskine Coutts, Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders, d.18/08/1944 However, I couldn't locate anyone named NICHOLLS or similar having died on either of those two days (assuming both were murdered on the same day). I thought perhaps it could be a POW/war crime event but couldn't find anything in relation to the location. So basically, we have very little information at all. If anyone has any ideas or theories, would be glad to hear them. Otherwise, I will bite the bullet and order the NAA document. regards, Martin
Hi Martin These are the Nicholls that are buried in that area http://www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/2143676/NICHOLLS,%20STANLEY%20THOMAS%20ANDREW http://www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead.aspx?cpage=1 Could be that the event took place after 1947 then deaths would not show on CWGC. so guess might have to check rolls of honour of regiments that served in Malay up to 1950.
Hi Martin Have checked the Times & nothing there. A check on the Armed Forces Memorial shows no Couttes & all of the Nicholls are nowhere near the dates. Get the file Martin & we will take if from there. Chris
Just checked Roll of honour for Malaya 1948-60 no Couttes, one Nicholl A.R. Gnr Royal Artillery 12/3/49
No. HMAS Success (H02), an S class destroyer launched in 1918, decommissioned in 1931, and sold for scrap HMAS Success (OR 304), a Durance class replenishment oiler launched in 1984 and active as of 2012
Thanks for your efforts guys. As the contents date range of the NAA item starts at 1946, I was guessing that the murder occurred either in that year or earlier. It's strange that nothing pops up on a simple Google search on the names, including spelling variations, the location and the word murder/murdered. As you've suggested Chris, I think the only way forward is to get the document so I've requested that it be examined (it's not currently available for public access). I just noticed that it's held here in Melbourne, not in Canberra, so after it's been examined I can view it at the Vic Archives Centre. It may be a wild goose chase but you never know. Thanks again. Martin
This one may be him....... VX23029 Pte Arthur Clifford Nicholls C Coy 2/29 BN Joined 29/11/40 Date of death 12/03/42 Area of Death - Malaya Locality - Kulai Cause of death - Executed
Found the other one too. VX39165 LT Ronald James George Cootes C Coy 2/29 Bn Joined 16/12/40 Date of death 12/03/42 Area of Death - Malaya Locality - Kulai Cause of death - Executed Service Record available on NAA
Well found BCT. Your link failed so hope this works. http://www.229battalion.org.au/229honourroll.pdf
Just for interest two more were executed different time, different place. VX50944 Pte Bell Joseph D 26/01/42 A 11/06/42 Burma Mergui Exec QX20799 Pte Davey Arthur Francis C 13/02/42 A 11/06/42 Burma Mergui Exec
Well found indeed, BCT! Thanks a lot for that. Glad to see that they are commemorated. I've changed the topic name to the correct spelling of Cootes. http://www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/2100693/COOTES,%20RONALD%20JAMES%20GEORGE http://www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/2229381/NICHOLLS,%20ARTHUR%20CLIFFORD Funnily enough, I did land on that page with one of my searches but saw a Cpl Coutts and thought that couldn't be him. A search of NAA for the two surnames locates a 3 page witness statement from two other prisoners. Sadly it seems Lt. Cootes and Pte. Nicholls were murdered because their captors thought they might have a contagious disease. RIP On with the search.