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7648058
Private
Albert Arthur Osborne
1916/08/04 - Born Shardlow, Derbyshire
Son of Arthur Andrew and Elizabeth (nee Bailey) Osborne
Brother to Edwin William, Edith May, Florence Elizabeth, Beatrice Maud, Lillian, Iris Jane and Hilda
Occupation Driver and Storekeeper
1940 - Married Kathleen May Belfield at Derby County Register Office Full Street
1940 - They were blessed with son David
Next of Kin Mother, E Osborne, 39 Willowcroft Road, Spondon, Derbyshire
Royal Army Ordnance Corps
14 Section
Service
Albert was stationed at Singapore.
1941/12/08 - Japan entered the war by attacking Pearl Harbour, Hong Kong and Malaya.
Japanese troops landed at Singora and Patani, Thailand plus Kota Bharu, Malaya.
The Japanese troops landing at Kota Bharu, soon took control of the airfield and the defending troops then had very little air cover.
The battle hardened Japanese quickly gained a foothold and pushed the defending troops back to Singapore Island.
On the 31st of January 1942, the Causeway joining Malaya to Singapore was blown in an attempt to halt the Japanese troops.
On the night of the 8th of February 1942, the Japanese landed on the North West side of Singapore Island. General Percival had made strong the North East coastline thinking that is where the Japanese would attack, but the Japanese bluff worked, as by the 15th February 1942, Singapore was forced into surrendering as the Japanese were in position to take control of the Reservoirs, which supplied Singapore City with water..
‘Singapore Surrender’ by Leo Rawlings
1943/11/16 - WO 417/68, Casualty List No 1292. Previously posted on Casualty List No 788 as Missing now reported Prisoner of War in Japanese Hands.
1945/12/12 - WO 417/100, Casualty List No. 1934. Previously shown on Casualty List No. 1292 as reported Prisoner of War. Previous Theatre of War, Malaya. Reported ‘Died’.
Japanese PoW
1942/02/15 - Captured Singapore
PoW No. IV-5445
Japanese Index Card - Side One
Japanese Index Card - Side Two
1943/04/29 - Transported overland to Thailand with ‘F’ Force, train 12
New PoW No. IV-8244
The PoWs were ordered off the Cattle trucks on arrival at Bang Pong, and after a walk of nearly a mile to a transit camp where they were then informed they would be marching North West along the railway route in 14 mile stages. Many of the PoWs tried to sell their possessions to the Thais but not at a good price as the Thais knew the the PoWs from ‘F’ Force were already in bad shape and could not carry their baggage for long.
After two days of walking through the night, as it was too hot in the daylight sun, they reached the small town of Kanchanaburi. Many who tried to carry their possessions left them at this staging camp.
Walking at night caused many problems as the track was uneven with bamboo shots cutting into their feet, in time tropical ulcers would form.
After the 186 mile walk, they reached Chaunggahla-ya.
Camps included:-
Chaunggahla-ya - 300.90km from Nong Pladuk
Kami Songkurai - 299.20km from Nong Pladuk
‘F’ Force had the most deaths on the Thailand Burma Railway
Died
Age 27
17th August 1943
Cause of death Cholera
Place of death Kami Songkurai, grave 71
After the war Albert was reburied at Thanbyuzayat War Cemetery
Loved Ones
Son of Arthur Andrew and Elizabeth Osborne
Husband to Kathleen May Osborne
Father of David Osborne
Brother to Edwin William, Edith May, Florence Elizabeth, Beatrice Maud, Lillian, Iris Jane and Hilda
Memorial
B3. W. 17.
Thanbyuzayat War Cemetery
Burma
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Defence Medal
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Pacific Star
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War Medal
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1939-1945 Star
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Far East Medals
Information
Warren Osborne - Grandson
Andrew Snow - Thailand Burma Railway Centre
Fall of Singapore and Malaya
Thailand Burma Railway
Commonwealth War Grave Commission
KEW Files:- WO 392/25, WO 361/1948, WO 361/2070, WO 361/2025, WO 304/21, WO 361/2234, WO 367/3, WO 361/2201, WO 361/2181,
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