Clements-William

To honour those who served their country

“In this their finest hour”

7893667

Trooper

William Clements

Known as Billy

1920/07/07 - Born Gloucester

Son of Frank and Alice Clements

Next of Kin Mrs Sanson, Aldgate Square, Gloucester

Royal Armoured Corps

3rd Kings Own Hussars

‘B’ Squadron

Service

1939/07/25 - Enlisted

The 3rd Hussars was brigaded with the 4th Hussars in the 1st Armoured Brigade in 1939. After the fall of France, the 3rd Hussars was shipped to North Africa and assigned to the 7th Armoured Brigade. The regiment served in the North African Campaign.

In 1941, B Squadron was sent to Singapore as reinforcements, but with the fall of Singapore, it was diverted to Sumatra to help guard the P1 Airfield.

After laying at anchor outside Oosthaven, Sumatra, during the night 13th/14th February 1942, Colonel Stevens (Movements) boarded at 0700hrs. He explained that the squadron was to move to Palembang as soon as possible. The tanks were to go by rail and the transport by road.

At about 1100hrs they tied up alongside the quay, and disemarked. Colonel Stevens told informed Major Powletme that the Japanese parachutists had landed at P1, aerodrome 12-miles north of Palembang. Unloading commenced immediately. There were no stevedores, so the 3rd Hussars did all the unloading.

Due to the Japanese advance, Palembang was almost certain to fall before the 3rd Hussars could reach it. Therefore they were ordered to assist the two battalions Australians due to disembark from the HMT Orcades on the evening 15th, prior to the advance to Palembang. Soon after the Australians had disembarked into Lighter attached to a Tug. News then arrived that Palembang had fallen and the Australian Troops re-embarked for Java, arriving two days later.

The 3rd Hussars received withdrawal orders in the ‘Silver Larch’ and docked at Merak on the 18th February. They were then entrained for Batavia where they were placed under Dutch Command.

On the 1st March the 2nd Japanese Infantry Division landed at Merak and on the 8th March, Java surrendered to the Japanese.

1943/03/10 - WO 417/58, Casualty List No. 1079. Rported ‘Missing’.

1943/07/08 - WO 417/63, Casualty List No. 1181. Previously shown on Casualty List No. 1148 as Missing believed Prisoner of War. Now reported a ‘Prisoner of War’.

Japanese PoW

1942/03/08 - Captured Garoet, Java

Tandjong Priok Camp

Commander Major Powlett

PoW No. 3210

Japanese Index Card - Side One

Japanese Index Card - Side Two

Before leaving Sarabaya Camp the PoW were examined, well they walked past the doctor in single file, that was the examination, everyone was passed fit.

1943/04/17 - The morning of the transport Squadron Leader Pitts was without warning badly beaten in front of the assembled PoWs. it went on for about 15 minutes the assailant was Sergeant Mori who was trying to impress the 2,060 British and Dutch awaiting transport.

The holds of the two ships Cho Saki Maru (1,030 PoWs) and Amagi Maru (1,030 PoWs) were very cramped with just enough room for the PoWs to lie down, head to toe with those next to them. The latrines were two buckets with holes in them suspended over the side of the ships. The ships remained in Sarabaya harbour for days and dysentery broke out due to cramped and unhygienic conditions on board. Eventually the ships got under way in convoy.

1943/05/05 - The ships arrived at Ambon in the Spice Islands. No deaths on voyage but many with illness.

1943/05/05 - Liang Camp, Ambon Island

Work involved building a runway for the Japanese

On reaching August 1944, it was obvious the Japanese were puling back towards Java as the ships at the harbour became less and less, it was now their turn to move out.

1944/08 - The PoWs were split into two groups, one group of 500 boarded the Maros Maru, an old steamship, and the other 150 were in the 150 group onboard the the Kaiysu Maru.

The Kaiysu Maru was sunk on-route by a Liberator with 138 survivors. The Maros Maru stopped at Raha and picked them up on an already crowded ship.

Conditions onboard the Maros Maru were very bad as the PoWs were kept on deck and it was stormy weather. Illness soon broke out on a starvation diet. After 14 days the PoWs were dying in large numbers, about 15 a day.

The engine was giving plenty of trouble and slowed the voyage down to Makasar in the Celebes. After reaching Makasar the PoWs were kept on the ship while the repairs were carried out, this took days and the PoWs wre still dying.

Repairs completed the ship got underway to Java but 370 PoWs died during the 60 day voyage from Ambon to Java.

1944/11/01 - On roll for Djawa Camp, Java

New PoW No. 4236

1945/09/25 - On roll for Batavia District, Java

1945/10/27 - Liberated

Liberation Questionnaire filled in by William after he was liberated

1945/10/22, WO417/98, Casualty List No. 1890. Previously shown on Casualty List No. 1181 as reported Prisoner of War now Not Prisoner of War. Previous Theatre of War, Netherlands East Indies.