Two Brothers: Pte Reuben Kenwright 1744355 Pioneer Corps & LAC James Kenwright 856715 RAF

Hello all,

I am researching more information on two individuals, their units and the movements they had during the war before their unfortunate deaths several months apart in 1943.

Here is what I know (for certain):

Both joined from Warrington, Lancashire.
James originally was a part of the 923 Sqn in Warrington, starting 1939 as part of the Air Force Auxiliary working on Barrage Balloons.
James was transferred to 41 Air Stores Park (a unit I cannot find ANY information about online) in 1941.
James was captured by the Japanese in March 1942 in Java.
James was a POW at Hiroshima Camp 4-B aka Mukaishima until his death on 27 Feb 1943. Was probably transferred here on the Dainichi Maru from Singapore after leaving Java on the Yoshida Maru.
Information on Reuben is a lot more foggy. All that is known is he served in the Pioneer Corps and died aboard the SS Fort La Montee when it exploded on 4 August 1943. He is remembered at a memorial in Warrington.

I have requested Reuben's records from Kew, as I have been informed by the MoD that it was transferred to them. I received a form 543 for James, where most of this information is sourced from, alongside prisoner rolls. For Reuben, causality lists, CWGC and "Firefighters Remembered" website. I have a rough idea that Reuben may have been a part of a firefighting company, but I cannot seem to find Pioneer Corps unit diaries whatsoever online.

Main things I am looking for help with is: Information on Reuben (like, at all) and 41 Air Stores Park.

Enclosed are documents and images applicable to the search. I also used the FEPOW community website to search for more on James.

 

Reuben's WW2 medal application card, completed by NoK.

 

No.41 Air Stores Park as a unit did not exist long enough to tender Operations Record Books to the RAF Records section and so nothing survives at Kew apart from mentions in other documents.

You see from his record that James was paper posted to No.41 ASP on 29/11/41 and then to No.41 ASP (Middle East) 6/12/41 and then a note of change of command from Home to Middle East.

The dates are significant as No.41 Air Stores Park was originally intended for the Western Desert and men and equipment earmarked/posted/issued to first a paper echelon then embarked as a new unit onto troopship transport.

Also taking place at that time were supply convoys staging to Port Sudan then destined for the Far East as part of the build up of RAF to man the aerodromes in Malaya that were under construction to be completed in Dec 1941/early 1942.

Aircraft were to be transported on Indomitable and Athene and ground crews and equipment for No.266 Wing, No.242 Sqn, No.258 Sqn, No.605 Sqn. No.62 RSU, No.41 ASP and No.47 Embarkation Office following by convoy.

The troopship convoy was loading at Liverpool and Clyde first week in Dec 1941 and corresponds to his posting to No.41 ASP(Middle East). As loading was taking place the Japanese landings started and Convoy WS 14 was assigned a detachment - WS14D which would continue from Durban to Singapore.

This eventually arrived at Java on 3 Feb 1942. See link below for composition and chart of route.

WS Convoys

It is only on the post war RAFAHB narrative that events for No.41 ASP are fleetingly mentioned - but the whole document is an excellent primer on the events surrounding them.

raf.mod.uk/what-we-do/our-history/air-historical-branch/second-world-war-campaign-narratives/campaigns-in-the-far-east-vol-ii-malaya-netherlands-east-indies-and-burma/
Page 109 has the first mention of No.41 ASP

Page 145 the Evacuation of No.41 ASP from Oosthaven Sumatra.

Page 148 re-organisation of evacuated RAF on Java with No.41 ASP in an adhoc service/supply organisation after loosing most of equipment in evacuation from Oosthaven.

By 1st week in March No.41 ASP ceased to be a functioning formation and with the surrender of Java all personnel were taken PoW.

So Dec1941 to Feb 1942 at sea, Feb 1942 arrival at Sumatra, Feb 1942 withdrawal to Java, capture March 1942 - hence the lack of official records and absence of on-line history.

Ross

 

Always useful to add the CWGC entries, as they can contain clues.

For Reuben: https://www.cwgc.org/find-records/find-war-dead/casualty-details/2151552/reuben-kenwright/ I note the list shows ten unknown soldiers who died the same day in one, unknown incident on 4/8/1943. Which was after the Axis forces surrendered in Tunisia on 13/5/1943.Four Pioneer Corps soldiers are buried there, alongside crew members from: S.S. Fort La Montee (London) x5 and M.V. Harpagus (London) x1.

Might be worth researching the two vessels and what happened in Algiers on 4/8/1943. Note wartime censorship might interfere. The CWGC cemetery El Alia is south-east of Algiers city. Note:

 

WOW. Thank you so much for this. It explains a lot, such as why I could not find any information on 41 ASP. This helped patch a lot of holes. It is unfortunate that James and his fellow service men landed in Java to a doomed campaign, and was practically turned over to the Japanese by the Dutch. His free time fighting overseas was only a month. Now to research more into camp 4-B.

 

I've been trying to find more information on the explosion on the Fort La Montee for a while now. Not really sure where to find detailed logs about cargo ships. I was able to find some first-hand accounts which was nice, and it seems to me as if what occurred was a ship fire (very common, I'm in the Navy, in 2025 and even with our advanced damage control we have fires weekly) that spread to the ammunition stores, and exploded. Reuben did not have a chance. I think maybe if I look into the HMS Arrow on 4 August 1943, I may find more info, but my knowledge of WW2 Royal Navy records is very lacking.

 

There seems to be quite a bit in The National Archives on the fire - in particular in recommendations for individuals.

Search results: "La Montee" | The National Archives

Records can be seen in person, arrange for one of the bods on this site who visit to do private copy or request a quote for a copy from the TNA.

This file is on free download if you sign up for a free account.
Ship Name: Fort La Montee Gross Tonnage: 7134 | The National Archives

Says smoke generators in No.1 hold caught fire spontaneously.

Ross

 

Records on Japanese PoW camps can be found in the national archives of the UK, Australia, the USA and the Netherlands: also JACAR which is a website in Japan which combines indices of various Japanese archives, although mainly in Japanese there are some English translations and free downloads.

This website has a guide to camps in Japan:

POW Research Network Japan | Researches | POW Camps in Japan Proper

There is a company history of the shipbuilders here:

History of Hitachi Zosen Corporation – FundingUniverse

Some of the links on this page from "mansell.com" are broken : this is the page on Mukaishima 4-B:

Hiroshima POW Camp, Mukaishima

Australian Archives has a downloadable file about a visit to Hiroshima group camps in 1945:

https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/Sea...eports/ItemDetail.aspx?Barcode=1868799&isAv=N

EDIT: link failed Use Advanced Search at Australian archives and at "Item barcode" enter number: 1868799.

Both Mansell and the Australian Archives list RAF personnel and their fate at the camp.

This report from the Australian file is relevant:


"SECRET
REPORT OF ACTIVITIES - HONSHU JAPAN 7 OCT 45 - 20 OCT 45.
BY VX21099 Lt R.H. MILLYNN AIF. ALO LIAISON TEAM NO 4.
RECOVERED PERSONNEL DETACHMENT.

C.O.
1 Aust PW Contact & Enquiry Unit,
AIF. MANILA. P.I.

I. MVT FROM P.I.
TO KURE JAPAN.

Liaison Team No 4 together with elements of X Corps US Army embarked from MINDANAO for KURE (JAPAN) 20 Sep 45. Due to cyclonic weather conditions prevailing in the region of OKINAWA this Unit did not arrive at KURE
Until the afternoon of 6 Oct 45, disembarking noon 7 Oct 45.

II. NO ALLIED PW HELD IN KURE AREA.

All Allied PW had been cleared from this area (HIROSHIMA PW CAMPS) on or about the 13 Sep 45.


III. EXAMINATION & INTERROGATION OF JAPANESE PWC OFFICERS.

X Corps desired a complete examination of all PW CAMPS and interrogation of Japanese Army Officers connected with the HIROSHIMA PW CAMPS. As a preliminary step
Capt. Matasuke ISHIMATSU who at the time for the Japanese Surrender was Executive Officer HQ HIROSHIMA PW CAMPS was brought to KURE from FUKUYAMA for interrogation. Capt Ishimatsu brought with him a number of documents (these documents have since been forwarded to Manila HQ Recovered Personnel Det), these documents together with this Officers explanations yielded some information, but it soon transpired that most documents were at FUKUYAMA.
Also in the course of this interrogation it was discovered that the ashes of eighty-six (86) British PW were in the JOS NJI Bhuddist Temple at ONOMICHI. It was decided that Capt Ishimatsu return to HQ FUKUYAMA and obtain all documents and records of the HIROSHIMA PW CAMPS meeting representatives of the Recovered Personnel Det at ONOMICHI on the 16 Oct 45. Also that Col KONDO, Tamae CO of HIROSHIMA PW CAMPS, Capt. HSOTANI, Une Adjt of HIROSHIMA PW CAMPS, & SURGEON Capt.
SAITO, Hiroshi, INT Lt. NAKANISHI, Masao both attached to HQ HIROSHIMA PW CAMPS be present at this meeting.

IV. RECOVERY OF ASHES DECEASED BRITISH PW.

At ONOMICHI the Recovered Personnel Det party under Ist Lt Andrews of Recovery Team No 17, with 1st Lt Heller of the Quartermaster Corps US Army (War Graves Service) and the writer attached met Capt. Ishimatsu and were conducted to the JOS NJI Bhuddist Temple ONOMICHI. Included in the party was a photographer from the US Army Signal Corps.

The ashes of the eighty-six (86) British PW were on a side altar in the temple. About a quarter of the temple had been set aside, the floor being covered with white cloth the Bhuddist mourning color, the sides of the reserved area being decorated with flowers real and artificial. The altar was situated at far end of the temple, the altar also being covered with white cloth, with two large vases of flowers at either side.

On the altar were baskets containing fruit, and several jars containing incense.

The ashes were arranged in irregular groupings on the four higher altar steps. The arrangement is illustrated in photograph No 2 attached to this report.

The six caskets shown in the centre left of this photograph contain the ashes of six unidentified PW. The labels shown on the caskets are gold tinted replica of the Imperial Chrysanthemum, these were removed by the writer on recovery of the ashes. One other casket, in the photo obscured by the top right hand flower vase contained ashes of an unidentified PW.

- pdf Page 9 -

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IV. RECOVERY OF ASHES DECEASED BRITISH PW. (Con'td)

Capt Matasuke Ishimatsu stated that these were the ashes of unidentified PW who died between Singapore and Japan. Capt Ishimatsu further stated that these deceased PW were unknown to their fellow PW, on the Prisoner ships, that neither rank name or nationality was known.

On recovery of the ashes however one of these unidentified caskets was found to contain the following information. Gnr Barnes E., died 12 Oct 42. Capt Ishimatsu being questioned said that the nationality and service of Barnes was unknown, and that he was one of the men who
died between Singapore and Japan.

The remaining seventy-nine (79) caskets were marked with the names and services of the deceased and in some cases their service numbers were also given.

With further information contained in rolls of PW who died in
HIROSHIMA PW CAMPS. (These rolls had previously been handed over to US Army and came into Ist Lt Hellers possession on return to KURE from ONOMICHI 19 Oct 45), fairly complete rolls were compiled of these deceased PW.
A copy of this roll is attached and numbered list. I.

Photographs attached to this report are as follows,

No 1. Front view of JOS NJI Bhuddist Temple, ONOMICHI.

No 2. Interior view of JOS NJI Temple, showing ashes of PW on the altar.

V. RECOVERY OF ASHES DECEASED BRITISH PW (RAF) ONIMICHI CEMETERY.

The ashes of twenty-two (22) deceased members of the RAF found to be buried in ONOMICHI Cemetery (approx 120 yards SSW of ONOMICHI Civil Prison).

Lt Heller had these ashes exhumed for reburial in KURE Military Cemetery.

The ashes of all twenty-two men were buried in one common grave.

In front of the grave was a raised concrete block on which rested a pine wood plaque, carrying the insignia of the RAF, numbers, rank and names of all twenty-two men carved into the wood. Capt Ishimatsu
said this plaque had been carved by British PW. The plaque was recovered and has been crated for transshipment to MANILA, it is thought that the plaque may be desired by the RAF.

In the centre of the grave was erected the usual pointed pole of Japanese graves. In Japanese characters appeared the following, "Cemetary of British People who died of sickness. Erected 21 Mar 44."

Erected at the rear of the grave was a plain pine cross about three feet high, this cross carried no inscription of any kind.

A number of photographs were taken of this grave, but as the photographer's camera had been damaged, only one of these photographs was successful, that showing the grave open and the box containing all the ashes.

Together with the eighty-six ashes recovered from Jos Nji Temple, these ashes will be buried in the KURE War Cemetery. A final site for this cemetery has not yet been chosen, but it is believed that finality in this matter will be reached during the next few days.

pdf page 10

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RECOVERY OF АSНЕS DECEASED BRITISH PW (RAF ONOMICHI CEMETERY (Cont'd)

Attached to this report is nominal roll of the above mentioned 22 members of the RAF. This roll is numbered List 2.

VI. NO ASHES OF DEC'd AUST PW.

No ashes of Australian dead were recovered, it being stated by Japanese
concerned that ashes had bean removed by Liberated Aust PW on or about 13 Sept 45,

However in the rolls referred to in section IV eighteen (18) Aust dead appear. These names appear on list three attached to this report.

List 3 sets out what little information is known of names (in full where recorded) numbers, cause of death,date of death and place of death.

Attention is drawn to the name of SULLIVAN, John the only information given on this man is that the name is SULLIVAN, John, Aust Arny date of death 4 Dec 44, and that he died paralised { eord expunged}. In roll of
Aust PW part 1 two SULLIVAN's J. appear (serial Nos 14732 and 14733).

In the {sic} of CHARLES, Andrew the only information given is that he was an Aust Soldier. In the rolls containing the names of Aust PW the writer can find no man with the surname CHARLES and the Initial A.

VII: CONFERENCE WITH OFFICERS HIROSHIMA PW CAMPS.

This conference took place at ONOMICHI on 17 Oct 45 ONIMICHI being the most suitable place for all concerned. The conference was held in one of the Local Hotels with all Japanese Officers attached to HQ HIROSHIMA PW CAMPS at the date of the Japanese surrender present.

The Officers of the Japanese Army present were, Col Tamae KONDO, Capt Matasuke ISHIMATSU, Capt Uhe HSONTANI, Surgeon Capt HIROSHI SAITO, Intendant 1st Lieut MASAO NAKANISHI, Intendant 2nd Lieut EYOTARO KAMOCHI, the Allied Officers being 1st Lieut R.ANDREWS, 1st Lieut HELLER both US Army and the writer.

A photograph was taken of this group of Japanese Officers for interrogation purposes. This Photograph is attached, and is numbered No 4 with an index to the officers on the back of the print.

The document produced at this conference dealt with pay matters and in all cases needed, translation,one valuable document was produced, however that was a file of death certificates.

VIII. DEATH CERTIFICATES FOR PW.

This file proved to contain 60 separate documents. These 60 documents on translation where found to be death certificates for fourty five (45) Allied PW and an eye removal operation on one (1) British PW.

Thirteen (13) of these certificates referred to Austalians. Such Information as they contained is given in List 3.

Among the Aust names recorded appears the name KNOX, Charles, date of death is given, Cause and place of death but no rank or number. NX53166 Pte KNOX C.T. is listed under Serial No 8402 Aust PW List Part 1.

The death certificate on Cpl HINDLE H.R. sets out in precis form the circumstances of this NCO's death. This Information is given in note at foot of Page 2 of list 3.

page 11 pdf.

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VIII. DEATH CERTIFICATES FOR PW.

Nine (9) of the certificates refer to British PW. These Maj CUTBUSH Leslie, F/Lt MOULDEN, Donald, Sgt FORSYTH, William, Bdr CANE, Richard, L/Cpl BIRIWISTLE,Robert, L/Cpl LEE, John, L/Cpl MacKINNON, John, L/Cp] HILL, Robert and ACI YATEMAN John.

In addition the next of kin of I/Cpls LEE and HILL are given as :-

Mrs E.M. LEE,
Eversham,
BISHOP STRATFORD.
ENGLAND.

Mrs. R.E.A. Hill
Queen Mary Hospital,
HONG KONG.

The operation for the removal of the left eye was performed on L/pl LEWIS, Charles Henry. No number or service is given, but nationality is stated to be British. The certificate states that this man was working in a coal mine and that whilst engaged in sharpening a tool, the tool slipped and pierced his left eye. A man RIGGS.R no number rank or service is listed as an eye witness of this occurence, Riggs signature appears on the document.

These death certificates have been forwarded at request to CINCPAC on 24 Oct 45.

IX. RELIGIOUS SERVICES AT BURIAL OF ASHES..

As the names of the deceased British PW indicate that their numbers included men of the Protestant, Roman Catholic and Hebrew Faiths, arrangements have been made with the US Forces for chaplains of these faiths to be in attendance on the day of burial of men.

X MILITARY CEREMONIAL AT FUNERAL.

The traditional ceremonies will be carried out. The US Army will supply a firing party and a trunpeter.

XI. DEATH RATE DEC 42 AND JAN FEB 43.

Attention is drawn to the death rate among British PW (List 1) during the months of Dec 42 and Jan-Feb 43 of a total of seventy-nine deaths recorded for the period 29 Nov - 3 Sep 45, no less than fifty-three in this three month period, the totals being Dec: 40, Jan: 4 Feb: 9 - 53.

XII. DATES OF DEATH OF AUST PW.

Of the Aust PW whose date of death is known, it is noted that none are listed as having occurred before 30 Sep 44.


XIII. COMPLETION OF ACTIVITIES IN KURE AREA.

It is estimated the Liaison Team No 4 will complete the the clearing of all PW and Internee matters in the KURE Area by the first week in Nov 45. The personnel of this Team should report at MANILA early in Nov 45.

R.H. Willynn Lieut
1800 Hrs 25 Nov 45.

page 12 pdf.

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