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NX10929
Gunner
Henry Grenville Robinson Cooke
Known as Tim
1915/08/08 - Born Ulmarra, New South Wales
1938/03/ - Enlisted Heavy Brigade at North Head, Sydney
1941/05/20 - Enlisted as Gunner
Royal Australian Artillery
2/15 Field Regiment
Service
1940/11/12 - The 2/15th Field Regiment with two batteries, 29th and 30th was formed at Rosebery Racecourse, Sydney.
The regiment began training at Ingleburn with 18-pounder guns, which were used in WW1.
In January 1941 the regiment moved into the new camp in Holdsworthy, Sydney.
In May the regiment, less two troops, moved to Bathurst, where it carried out joint training exercises with 8th Division's 27th Brigade for a week.
Tim qualified in chemical warfare.
1941/07/29 - The regiment left Sydney, on board the troop ship T.S.S. Katoomba, for overseas service with the 27th Brigade.
1941/08/15 - Arrived Singapore and set up camp at Nee Soon, Singapore, where training in jungle warfare took place.
1941/11/23 - 25-pounders arrived.
1941/12/05 - The threat from Japan as now a reality and the 2/15th Regiment were moved to Jahore, Malaya to relieve the 2/10th Field Regimen and HQ was set up at
Kluang Rubber Estate, near Kluang.
1941/12/08 - Japan invades Malaya
1942/01/05 - The 2/15 Regiment were moved north up Malaya to reinforce Allied troops. The 65th Battery went to Muar under 45th Indian Brigade. The 29th and 30th Batteries moved further north, the 29th under command of the 2/29 Battalion at Paya Lang Estate, in between Gamas and Batu Anam. The 30th Battery dug in near Gamas under the 2/30 Battalion.
1942/01/14 - Heavy action took place after engagement with advancing Japanese troops. The batteries supplied cover for the Allied troop withdrawal towards Singapore, themselves crossing the causeway late January. Positions were then set up between Sungei Berith and Sungei Kranji.
1942/02/08 - The Japanese crossed the Jahore Strait and attacked the 2/15 Regiment who were at the front of the attack. the 2/15 caused the Japanese high casualties, sinking some of the landing craft but the Japanese attack succeeded.
1942/02/15 - 2/15 Regiment with 37 officers and 519 other ranks surrendered when Singapore fell to the Japanese.
Japanese PoW
Changi Camp
PoW No. M-7370
1943/03/27 - Transported with ‘D’ Force to Thailand
New PoW No. II 17221
With Work Party 4, 18 (T) Battalion
Camps:-
Wang Pho North
Sick - Transported to Kanchanaburi
Chungkai Sick
Tha Muang
Nakhon Pathom
New PoW No. II 34700
1945/08/ - Liberated Thailand
Repatriated
1945/09/24 - Embarked from Singapore on the SS Highland Chieftain
With 761 PoWs
Via Brisbane
1945/10/11 - Arrived Sydney, New South Wales
Post War
1946/02/15 - Discharged
Of the 556 officers and men of the 2/15 Field Regiment, 294 died as PoWs.
Information
Edwina Stuart-Archer
Australian War Memorial - 2/15 Field Regiment
Andrew Snow - Thailand Burma Railway Centre
KEW Files:- WO 361/1957,
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