Australian Camel Corps
FAMILY GROUPING OF FATHER (CAMEL CORPS) AND SON (CHANGI POW)
GROUP 1: FOUR: 1914/15 star, British War and Victory Medal all correctly impressed to 1393 PTE R. WILLIAMS 32/BN AIF. Death plaque correctly named to ROBERT WILLIAMS
EMB: 18th November 1915 with the 32nd Battalion.
Transferred to the Camel Corps on the 24th January 1916. Previous occupation “Jockey”
It appears Private Williams was severely injured by a “Defective Cap” which caused a “Compound Fracture of Radius…B. W. Forearm” whilst on duty with the Camel Corps on the 15th March 1916 at Assuit
He was further invalided to Australia to recover on the 24th June 1916
Admitted to 8th A.G. Hospital (Subiaco, Western Australia) 14th February 1917 “Delirium Tremens” and died a few days later. Cause of death stated as “Cerebro Spinal Meningitis”
Note: As his death was war related and as he was still serving this is a rare example of a soldier receiving a Death Plaque even though his died in Australia.
Liberated Changi POW's
GROUP 2: Four: 1939/45 Star, Pacific Star. War Medal and Australian Service Medal 1939/45 all medals correctly impressed to WX16956 R. S. WILLIAMS
Robert Sydenham Williams (known as “Thirsty Bob”) enlisted 8th October 1941 and was taken on strength with the 2/4th Machine Gun Battalion 30th December 1941
Sailed for Singapore 16th January 1942 and was attached to E Company 1 platoon of the Special Reserve Battalion (all Machine Gunners) under the command of Major Bert Saggers.
He was recovered at Changi Gaol Camp on the 4th September 1945. Returning to Sydney from Singapore via Darwin on the Hospital Ship Oranje, then by train to Perth to 110 Military Hospital with Berri Berri (Malnutritian).
Discharged 4th April 1946
Note: Major A. E. Saggers wrote the book “To Hell and Back” which may give further incite. Also comes with masonic medal dated 1938 to R. Williams
Both groups VF SOLD
