Dear all, I am having a very interesting time researching my biological family. I have come across this great Uncle who died in: Camp 4 Thailand 28/9/1943. I came across that his death was accidental and more information is to be found in: The National Archives; Kew, London, England; WO 361 Casualities and Missing Personnel 1939-1945; Reference Number: WO 361/2055 I cannot find anything on him there. I am also very much wondering how a death could be 'accidental' when you are a POW. I am hoping that some-one can help me with any information on him or how I could get more information about him. Thank you so much, I really appreciate it. Kind regards, Maree
Hello Maree, Are you aware that he served in the Australian Army? Casualty Have you searched the Australian Archives for his service record? I don’t know enough about FEPOW to research the circumstances further but there can be various reasons for accidental death whilst POW such as drowning etc. There could have been various “industrial accidents” if he was involved in building the railway through Thailand. The answer will likely be in his service record. Steve EDIT TO ADD - Thanks Richard I’m on my iPhone and closed the screen to do the Australian Archive enquiry and post the link but you beat me to it.
https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/Sea...eports/ItemDetail.aspx?Barcode=6371482&isAv=N Your best bet would be to request a copy of his service files from the NAA in Australia - these are his service records and often contain specific details. Copies are not yet available as no one has actually requested them previously, however once they have provided a copy then they are accessible free of charge to all, something we wish the UK/MOD would do TD
Dear Steve, Thank you for your quick reply and thoughts on the accidental death. Yes I have seen the records of both which you mention. But thank you anyway, much appreciated. Maree
Thank you TD also for your quick reply. I had indeed been to the site and unfortunately there seems to be only the "issued to research centres'. As I do not live in Australia that makes things difficult. Oh having said that I see that I can apply for another document! Maree
Marre, Your great uncle was among a group of six Australian prisoners that died on the 28th September 1943. They were all initially buried in the Klian Klai Camp cemetery Pte. Caswell is recorded as being killed during railway construction 'Sparrow - A Chronicle of Defiance' Grant McLachlan Plots 1-6
Dear Guy, Oh WOW fancy this.. thank you so much. I am SO pleased. Do you maybe know what the accidental death was of these men? Maree
First name(s) Douglas K Last name Latham Death year 1943 Service number TX/2681 Rank Private Nationality Australian Prison camp or ship Thailand The National Archives WO 361/2055 Document details Australian POWs who died of illness (or aerial bombardment) in Tokyo, Thailand, Borneo, Malaya, Zentsuji and Fukuoka POW Camps 1945 Record set Prisoners Of War 1715-1945
Dear Tony, Well thank you to you as well. I cannot believe it... where does all this info come from! I am so pleased that I decided to ask the question here. So cause of death was 'Fracture of breastbone' Oh dear :-( I hope he did not suffer for too long! Maree
Dear all, So pleased with all your help. I feel a bit silly now, should have asked in my original post but did not think of it. I am trying to find a army photo of him. On the internet there is a tiny one and when you make it larger not very good quality. Though of course better than nothing. If anyone could help with a better quality one then that would be wonderful. I shall add the one I found. Maree
These are the details for the 5 other servicemen mentioned in Guy's post #6 above whose death is recorded as accidental on 28/9/43, may or may not be the same incident: Caswell - Crushed to death Dawson - Crushed to death Forster - Crushed to death West - Skull fracture Wallace - Fracture of breast bone RIP Re your photo above, any particular reason for different surname?
Oh dear... OF COURSE I meant Latham! I am researching my grandfather at the same time and accidentally put his surname to the photo. And I am always so proud of being so accurate with everything Maree
I cannot find the note you refer to "issued to research centres" - it is open to all and I would strongly suggest you contact them and work out a way of obtaining his service records as, from the ones I have seen, they can contain a wealth of detailed information not only about the serviceman but also about his family - it truly is worth investing the time, after all he did and more TD
TD, It's one of the files that the NAA hasn't examined yet. Adds about a month to the waiting time. Good news is that the fee has dropped down to $36.00 AUD from $70.00 AUD just last month. Regards, Dave
I woukd echoTD’s comments. I’ve just done an all record search for him - rather than just WW2 - and discovered his 1936/40 Militia Record - only 2 pages - has been digitised. No photo unfortunately but does contain some family detail. In my experience it’s unusual not to find a photo in an AIF service file. View digital copy Steve
Thank you all for your thoughts. Yes I shall get the records, thank goodness the price has dropped as $70 would have been too steep for me. So I shall pay the $36 with a grateful heart. Maree
Hi Maree, My name is Stuart, your father is my uncle on my mothers side, My grandmother ( great uncle Douglas's sister ) was told by a friend in the same camp that when they were of no use to the Japanese they were told to go into an old mine and the entrance was blown up, if so, I am not sure if their bodies were recovered or are still where they died, I can't confirm this sorry as my nan has passed, my mother told me this, I am not sure if Douglas knows the story ? or he was too young at the time Regards Stuart