Charles William (Tiny) Gray

Charles William (Tiny) Gray

Personal Information
Date of Birth	9 Nov 1914
Place of Birth	Ravensthorpe, Western Australia
Age at Enlistment	26 years, 1 month
Occupation	miner
Religion	Church of England
Next of Kin	Father , Mr Charles Herbert Gray
Military Information
Reg Number	WX10378
Date of Enlistment	18 Dec 1940
Rank	Corporal
Unit/Formation	8 Platoon, B Company 2/4th Australian Machine Gun Battalion
Transport Details	USS Mercy Korea Hong Kong
Transport Details	HMS Collosus Hong Kong to Manila
Transport Details	Consolidated PBY Catalina Manila - Darwin - Perth
Post War Details
Fate	POW Singapore 1942 Returned to Australia
External Monument(s)	The Australian Ex-Prisoners of War Memorial Ballarat, Victoria
Medals	1939-45 Star Pacific Star War Medal 1939-45 Australian Service Medal 1939-45

War Service

A member of 8 Platoon, B Company who was promoted to Corporal on 24 Jan 1942.

Captured on 15 Feb 1942 when Singapore was surrendered to the Japanese. After a short period in Singapore POW camps, he was transported to Korea aboard the SS Fukkai Maru, leaving Singapore on 20 Aug 1942, and arriving at Pusan in Korea on 21 Sep 1942. POW Numbers 331 & 271.

"Adam Park Camp - Singapore, Johore Bahru - Malaysia, Selarang Camp Changi - Singapore, Keijo - Korea ***, Konan - Korea"

Repatriated from Keijo, Chosen (Korea). Return Details 1945: Korea-Manila, USS Mercy & HMS Collosus, Manila-Darwin-Perth Consolidated PBY Catalina aircraft A24-377

Discharged 7 Jan 1946

Newspaper entries: West Australian 11 Jul 1942 listed as Missing; West Australian 1 Dec 1942 now POW.

KOREA POW CAMP - WA Mother's Good News Hand-written Letter received Mrs CH Gray of Kelmscott, a member of the 2/4th Machine Gun Battalion Women's Circle, has received a letter written in hi own handwriting from her son, Cpl Charles William Gray, who is a prisoner of war at Keijo, Chosen (Korea). This letter, which his relatives say is in the same writing and style of those he sent before the fall of Singapore, has been encouraging to other members of the circle. In the letter Cpl Gray wrote : "There area a few West Australians in this camp, including Ted Roats (Albany), Bet Holland (Wagin), and jack (Squizzy) Taylor (Queen's Park). We are living under pretty good conditions. The quarters themselves are clean and comfortable, having coal stoves to heat the rooms in winter. There are also ample washrooms and bath-houses, and we get two hot baths a week. We are out at work each day except Sunday, which is a day of rest on which we can do our washing and general repairs. Church services are held. We usually go to the evening service, thus helping us to keep in touch with things that are common to us all. Cigarettes are available three times a week through the canteen. The Red Cross parcels are indeed a godsend and are greatly appreciated by everyone. Most of the English chaps have just recently received letters from home, which were indeed very cheering to us here. When we left Captain Bunning in Singapore he was in the best of health and spirits: what a soldier he turned out! Next time you are in town go to see his people in case hey have not heard. Now, Mum please don't worry about us as things are going to come right soon. I can always see your dear smiling face, which helps to cheer me on."

Cpl Gray, who was a member of "B" Coy, 2/4th Battalion, was taken prisoner when Singapore fell on February 15, 1942, and since then his mother has received a telegram from the Army stating he was a prisoner of war at Keijo; a cablegram from her son; a card from Singapore (before he was moved to Korea prior to November, 1942); a card from Korea; a letter typed on a card and signed by her son; a letter printed on a card by her son and last month the letter mentioned above.

Post War

External Links

• Ballarat POW Memorial