Remembering Today 19/1/42 LCpl:C.C.Wiltsher,NX30277,Australian Infantry A.I.F. 2/19 Bn.

Discussion in 'Australian' started by CL1, Jan 19, 2017.

  1. CL1

    CL1 116th LAA and 92nd (Loyals) LAA,Royal Artillery

    WILTSHER, CHRISTOPHER CHARLES
    Rank:
    Lance Corporal
    Service No:
    NX30277
    Date of Death:
    19/01/1942
    Age:
    36
    Regiment/Service:
    Australian Infantry
    A.I.F. 2/19 Bn.
    Grave Reference:
    Sp. Mem. 20. C. 8.
    Cemetery:
    KRANJI WAR CEMETERY
    Additional Information:
    Son of Christopher Charles and Elizabeth Wiltsher; husband of Janet May Wiltsher, of Manly, New South Wales, Australia.Casualty Details
     
  2. Tricky Dicky

    Tricky Dicky Don'tre member

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  3. DaveB

    DaveB Very Senior Member

    A very busy day for the unit which led to even worse events:

    Extracts from Australian War Memorial plus attachments from the unit's war diary.


    The 2/19th Infantry Battalion was part of the 22nd Brigade of the 8th Australian Division – it was rushed forward to reinforce the beleaguered 2/29th Infantry Battalion at Bakri on 17 January 1942. It held the vital crossroad there throughout 19 January, long enough to allow for the withdrawal of the remnants of the 2/29th and the 45th Indian Brigade from the direction of Muar.


    The Japanese had already outflanked the 2/19th's position, however, and on the morning of 20 January a torturous withdrawal towards Parit Sulong commenced. The force managed to fight its way through a succession of Japanese roadblocks, while constantly harried from its rear and from the air, but was halted by strong positions around the bridge across the Simpang Kiri River at Parit Sulong.


    With its ammunition exhausted, casualties mounting, and no chance of relief, the force struck out through the jungle for Yong Peng on the morning of 23 January. It was forced to leave its wounded behind; they were subsequently massacred by the Japanese. For his courage and leadership throughout the action, the 2/19th's Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Colonel Charles Anderson, was awarded the Victoria Cross.


    Only 271 members of the 2/19th were mustered at Yong Peng and withdrawn to Johore Bahru. Like most Australian units involved, it ended with surrender on the outskirts of Singapore city on the night of 15 February.


    The surviving prisoners were liberated in late August 1945 and began returning to Australia almost immediately. The 2/19th was formally disbanded later in 1945, having suffered the highest casualties of any Australian Army unit during war.
     

    Attached Files:

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  4. DaveB

    DaveB Very Senior Member

    Attached Files:

    Last edited: Jan 19, 2017

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