Douglas Keith Latham. TX2681. 2/40 INFBn

Discussion in 'Searching for Someone & Military Genealogy' started by Maree, Jan 7, 2020.

  1. Maree

    Maree Member

    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

     
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  2. Tullybrone

    Tullybrone Senior Member

    Hello Maree,

    Are you aware that he served in the Australian Army?

    Casualty:poppy:

    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.:salut:
     
    Last edited: Jan 7, 2020
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  3. Tricky Dicky

    Tricky Dicky Don'tre member

    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
     
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  4. Maree

    Maree Member

    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
     
  5. Maree

    Maree Member

    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
     
  6. Guy Hudson

    Guy Hudson Looker-upper

    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 Screen Shot 2020-01-07 at 15.32.54.png

    Pte. Caswell is recorded as being killed during railway construction

    Screen Shot 2020-01-07 at 15.47.03.png
    'Sparrow - A Chronicle of Defiance' Grant McLachlan

    Plots 1-6
    Screen Shot 2020-01-07 at 15.31.12.png
    Screen Shot 2020-01-07 at 15.29.48.png
     
    Last edited: Jan 7, 2020
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  7. Maree

    Maree Member

    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
     
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  8. Tony56

    Tony56 Member Patron

    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


    Latham.jpg
     
  9. Maree

    Maree Member

    Dear Tony,
    Well thank you to you as well. I cannot believe it... where does all this info come from! :D
    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
     
  10. Maree

    Maree Member

    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
     

    Attached Files:

  11. Tony56

    Tony56 Member Patron

    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?
     
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  12. Maree

    Maree Member

    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 :blush:
    Maree
     
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  13. Maree

    Maree Member

    my grandfathers name is Douglas..
     
  14. Tricky Dicky

    Tricky Dicky Don'tre member

    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
     
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  15. alieneyes

    alieneyes Senior Member

    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
     
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  16. Tullybrone

    Tullybrone Senior Member

    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
     
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  17. Maree

    Maree Member

    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
     
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  18. Enigma1003

    Enigma1003 Member

    You probably have this info:
    .
    Latham.jpg
     
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  19. Maree

    Maree Member

    Dear Enigma,
    Yes I do but thank you for posting that.. you never know do you :)
    Maree
     
  20. Stuart Vervaart

    Stuart Vervaart New Member

    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
     

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