Name: RAPHAEL, GEOFFREY ALFRED Rank: Lieutenant Service No: WX3447 Date of Death: 19/02/1942 Age: 25 Regiment/Service: Australian Infantry Unit: A.I.F. 2/4 M.G. Bn. Panel Reference: Column 135. Memorial: SINGAPORE MEMORIAL Additional Information: Son of Alfred and Marie Raphael, of Perth, Western Australia.
The WW2 nominal roll shows that he was a POW and his official cause of death on the AWM ROH is "execution". His Army pers file has not been digitised as yet by the NAA and another file held by the Army records office (CARO / SCMA) is not available to be read either. His old college has a memorial plaque for him and the following info: Plaque No 88: Lieut. G.A. (Geoffrey) Raphael (Hale School 1925-1934) 2/4th Machine Gun Battalion He attended Hale School between 1925 and 1934 from West Perth . He was a prefect and took part in rowing, cricket, football and boxing; he was also active in debating and drama. After leaving School he eventually joined his father's firm but continued with his great interest in photography. Before the war he joined the militia 28th Battalion and was commissioned while serving with that unit. Eventually he joined the 2/4th Machine Gunners and arrived in Singapore on the day that the city fell to the Japanese. The next day he was detailed into a work party by his captors and upon finishing the work he and his men were summarily executed. Geoffrey was 25 years of age. After the war Geoffrey's family donated a trophy to the School in his memory. Initially it was awarded for photography but in latter years it has been awarded to the Hale student who has made the most valuable contribution to the chess fraternity in the School - The Geoffrey Raphael Prize for Chess. Laid by sister, Mrs Audrey van Hattem. Old Haleians Association - WW2 - South Pacfic
