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3534680
Private
Arthur Phillips
1916/09/28 - Born Ancoats, Manchester
Son of Arthur and Ethel Phillips of Ardwick, Manchester
Occupation Turner
Manchester Regiment
1st Battalion
Service
At the outbreak of the Second World War the 1st Battalion Manchester Regiment were assigned to a beach defence role, which entailed setting up of Machine gun posts, searchlights and ant-ship, and landing craft obstacles.
In November 1937 the battalion had become a machine gun unit and in January 1938 with a strength of 980 officers and men the 1st Battalion were transported to Palestine as Jewish Community protectorates. They were housed in Tiberius at ‘The Central’ and ‘Elizabethan’ Hotels. A B C and D companies occupied trouble spots at Mielia, Safad, Sarafand Jerusalem and along the Jordan border
Under orders on 4th October 1938, the 1st Battalion sailed in the ‘Dilwara’ for the Far East and Singapore. At Port Suez they had a few days in the Western Desert while peace talks took place between Chamberlain and Adolph Hitler. Then back on the ship, arriving in Singapore on the 20th October 1938. As part of the 2nd Malaya Infantry Brigade, they saw action during the Japanese invasion of Singapore island in February 1942.
1942/02/15 - Singapore surrendered to the Japanese.
1942/03/24 - WO 417/40, Casualty List No. 779. Missing
1943/09/14 - WO 417/66, Casualty List No.1238. Previously shown on Casualty List No.779 as Missing, 15/02/1942. Now a Prisoner of War
Japanese PoW
1942/02/15 - Captured Singapore
PoW No. II 1152
Japanese Index Card - Side One
Japanese Index Card - Side Two
1943/04/26 - Overland to Thailand with ‘F’ Force, train 9
71st Train from Singapore to Thailand
New PoW No. 8569
1943/10/ - The railway line was joined from Thailand to Burma at Konkoita.
The sick and injured from ‘F’ Force were taken to Thanbaya Hospital at 366km from Non Pladuk. They were then taken back to Singapore by train from Non Pladuk. The very sick were taken to Roberts Hospital. Changi
1944/10/16 to 1944/12/11 - Roberts Hospital, Changi with Malaria.
Liberated Changi
1945/10/27 - WO417/98, Casualty List No. 1895. Previously reported on Casualty List No. 1238 as Prisoner of War now Not Prisoner of War. Previous Theatre of War, Malaya.
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Pacific Star
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War Medal
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1939-1945 Star
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Post War
On Arthur’s return his marriage failed but he obtained custody of his two son’s from that marriage, unfortunately the sons are now both deceased.
1947/09/06 - Arthur remarried to Eileen Rourke, and they had four children Fred, Patricia, Brian and Stephen.
He returned to his trade as a Turner.
Died
1990/10/25
Information
Patricia M Ahern - Daughter
Andrew Snow
Mike Heather
Japanese Transport
Thailand-Burma Railway
KEW Files:- WO 392/25, WO 345/41, WO 361/2063, WO 361/2201, WO 361/2070,
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