Difference between revisions of "Edward Johnathon (Ted) Leadbitter"
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==War Service== | ==War Service== | ||
| − | A member of 15 Platoon, D Company, Edward was listed as missing from 8 Feb 1942. He had been captured by the Japanese on the west coast of Singapore, but did escape and later rejoined his unit after the surrender. Singapore POW Number was 3/8489. | + | A member of [[2/4th Australian Machine Gun Battalion]]'s 15 Platoon, D Company, Edward was listed as missing from 8 Feb 1942. He had been captured by the Japanese on the west coast of Singapore, but did escape and later rejoined his unit after the surrender. His Singapore POW Number was 3/8489. |
[[File:Leadbitter_15_Pl_D_Coy.jpg|thumb|none|600px|Ted's Platoon, with Ted in the back row, 3rd from left]] | [[File:Leadbitter_15_Pl_D_Coy.jpg|thumb|none|600px|Ted's Platoon, with Ted in the back row, 3rd from left]] | ||
| − | Subsequently he was a member of 'D' Force, V Battalion in Thailand with POW Number 2266. In Thailand he had been suffering with malaria and was delirious . He was kicked and beaten for 30 minutes by the Japanese Engineer Corporal known as the 'Black Cat'. | + | Subsequently he was a member of 'D' Force, V Battalion in Thailand with POW Number 2266. In Thailand he had been suffering with malaria and was delirious. He was kicked and beaten for 30 minutes by the Japanese Engineer Corporal known as the 'Black Cat'. Ted died of Cholera 14 days later on 10 Oct 1943 at Kuii, Thailand, aged 24. |
Grave No. 196 Later at Knchanaburi War Cemetery Collective Grave Plot 3; Row G; Grave 35-39. | Grave No. 196 Later at Knchanaburi War Cemetery Collective Grave Plot 3; Row G; Grave 35-39. | ||
Revision as of 22:30, 29 October 2020
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| Personal Information | |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | 5 December 1918 |
| Place of Birth | London, England |
| Death | 10 October 1943 |
| Place of Death | Kuii, Thailand |
| Age at Enlistment | 21 years, 11 months |
| Occupation | Gardener |
| Religion | Church of England |
| Address | Armadale, Western Australia |
| Next of Kin | Wife , Winifred Leadbitter |
| Military Information | |
| Reg Number | WX8425 |
| Date of Enlistment | 18 October 1940 |
| Rank | Private |
| Unit/Formation | 15 Platoon, D Company 2/4th Australian Machine Gun Battalion |
| Post War Details | |
| Fate |
POW Died from Cholera |
| Monument(s) |
Armadale War Memorial ANZAC Memorial Park (Byford) |
| External Monument(s) | The Australian Ex-Prisoners of War Memorial Ballarat, Victoria |
| Australian War Memorial | Australian War Memorial |
| Medals |
Australian Service Medal 1939-45 Pacific Star War Medal 1939-45 Australian Service Medal 1939-45 |
Contents
Pre War
Sent out to Australia as an orphan to the Kingsley Fairbridge Farm School near Pinjarra. His father having died in the Battle of Jutland, and his mother when he was 11 years old. In 1935 and 1936 Ted Leadbitter was working at Yandal Station, Leonora. Ted is recorded in ‘Fairbridgian’ magazine as attending the Mandurah summer camp in 1936 an he also managed to spend Christmas Day at Fairbridge. In 1941 Ted Leadbitter married Winifred M. Purcher in Perth.
War Service
A member of 2/4th Australian Machine Gun Battalion's 15 Platoon, D Company, Edward was listed as missing from 8 Feb 1942. He had been captured by the Japanese on the west coast of Singapore, but did escape and later rejoined his unit after the surrender. His Singapore POW Number was 3/8489.
Subsequently he was a member of 'D' Force, V Battalion in Thailand with POW Number 2266. In Thailand he had been suffering with malaria and was delirious. He was kicked and beaten for 30 minutes by the Japanese Engineer Corporal known as the 'Black Cat'. Ted died of Cholera 14 days later on 10 Oct 1943 at Kuii, Thailand, aged 24.
Grave No. 196 Later at Knchanaburi War Cemetery Collective Grave Plot 3; Row G; Grave 35-39.
Newspaper reports "Missing" - West Aust 23 Jul 1942; "POW" - West Australian 30 Sep 1943; "Previously POW, now Died of illness while POW" - West Australian 2 Oct 1945.
Notes