Rae-Kevin-John

To honour those who served their country

“In this their finest hour”

VX55546

Private

Kevin John Rae

1920/04/27 - Born at Mount Egerton, Australia

Son of Stanley Rupert and Catherine Elizabeth Rae

1941/07/03 - Enlisted

Australian Army

2/29th Infantry Battalion

27th Infantry Brigade

Service

The 2/29th Infantry Battalion was formed at Bonegilla, Victoria in October 1940. Being part of the 8th Division's 27th Infantry Brigade.

The Battalion’s initial training was at Bonegilla before travelling to Bathurst at the end of February 1941, and remained there for five months training.

Sailing in July with the 27th Brigade to Singapore, arriving the 15 August 1941. Then in September they were transported to Segament in Malaya, where it continued its training.

On the 8th December Japan entered the war by bombing Pearl Harbour, and attacking Hong Kong and Malaya,

The Japanese landed trrops at Singora and Patani in Thailand, and in Kota Bhatu in North Malaya. Quickly taking control of the Kota Bharu airfield, this giving the Japanese control of the air.

The hardened forces tactics of getting behind defensive lines caused a gradual retreat.

By 15th January the Japanese had reached Muar River, in northern Johore. The 2/29th Battalion were sent to Muar as reinforcements for the 2/19th Battalion and poorly trained Indian Brigade, then the Japanese attacked.

The fighting was fierce but the two Australin Battalions and the 2/4th Anti-Tank Regiment destroyed several Japanese tanks. The Japanese were encircling the Battalions on the 19th January after the 2/19th Battalions failed attack.

The 2/19the Battallion then held the Muar Road crossroads long enough for the 2/29th Battalion and Indian Brigade withdrew, but the Japanese outflanked the 2/19th Battalion and orders to retreat were given.

The next morning the Battalions and Indian Brigade withdrew towards Parit Sulong being attacked from the ground and air. Fighting their way through the Japanese lines which had outflanked them but they were halted by the Japanese strong position at the Parit Sulang Bridge across the Simpang Kiri River.

With no hope of crossing the river the Australion and Indian Combined Force took to the jungle on the 23rd January for Yong Pon, leaving about 110 Australion and 40 Indian wounded behind. The Japanese dad not take them as prisoners, most were killed by the Japanese.

On reaching Yong Peng only 79 men of the 2/19 and 130 of the 2/29 had survived.

These were then withdrawn via the causeway to Singapore Island where within days were again ordered into battle. The 2/29th Battalion having been reinforced with 500 men who had recently arrived from Australia, fought until the 15th February when Singapore surrendered to the Japanese.

Japanese PoW

PoW No. III 9265

1943/04/14 - Transported overland to Thailand with ‘F’ Force, train 2

‘Ponds Party’

The route in cattle trucks to Thailand:-

Kuala Lumpur, had rice and dried fish at Ipoh

Reached Pai , arrived Haadyi

Water in cattle trucks very short, heat stifling in trucks all day..

Reached Ban Pong

The PoWs were ordered off the Cattle trucks on arrival 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.

Reached Thimongtha - 270 km from Nong Pladuk walking all the way

Kevin was treated for Malaria and infected feet in Thailand.

‘F’ Force had the most deaths on the Thailand Burma Railway

‘F’ Force Summery

	*British*	*Australian*	*Total*
*Departed April 1943*	*3336*	*3664*	*7000*

*Returned Dec. 1943 - Sime Road*	*175*	*165*	*340*
*Returned Dec. 1943 - Changi*	*835*	*2060*	*2895*
*Returned Apr. 1944 - Changi*	*295*	*411*	*706*
	*1305*	*2636*	*3941*
*Less Died at Changi*	17	32	49
	*1288*	*2604*	*3892*
*I.J.A. Custody (Including Changi Hosp.)*	11		11
*Alive as at 30th Apr. 1944*	*1299*	*2604*	*3903*


*Died Thailand Burma Railway*	*2013*	*1014*	*3027*
*Died Changi*	17	32	49
*Missing*	7	14	21
*Total Casualties*	*2037*	*1060*	*3097*

*Casualty Percentage*	*61.03%*	*28.95%*	*44.21%*