The Parliamentary Secretary for Defence, Senator David Feeney, today called on RSLs, historians and ex-servicemen and women to come forward if they know the next-of-kin of 12 brave Australian servicemen who died in World War II prisoner of war camps.
“In March this year, the Gillard Government announced that twenty prisoners of war who were killed while escaping during WWII will be posthumously awarded the Commendation for Gallantry,” Senator Feeney said.
“So far eight families of these servicemen have been found. We’re looking for the rest.
“I am asking RSLs, historians, ex-servicemen and women and Australian Defence Force families to come forward if they have information about the next-of-kin of these brave servicemen.
“As Christmas approaches and we think of our Australian troops keeping our region and the Middle East safe and secure. We should take a moment to remember the time that POWs spent in camps,” the Senator said.
“Their bravery should never be forgotten,” Senator Feeney said.
This was the result of the independent Defence Honours and Awards Appeals Tribunal inquiry into Recognition for Far East Prisoners of War who were Killed while Escaping.
Anyone who is related to any of the following men, or knows of someone who may be related, can call the Directorate’s telephone enquiry line on 1800 111 321 or write to:
Directorate of Honours and Awards
Department of Defence
PO Box 7952
CANBERRA BC ACT 2610
| Name | From | Number | Date Executed | Execution Location |
| Private Alexander John Bell (29 years) | Ballarat VIC | VX73838 | 16 Mar 43 | Thambyujayat, Burma |
| Sergeant Joseph Kenneth Bell (27 years) | North Melbourne VIC | VX34637 | 16 Sep 42 | Kuala Lumpur |
| Private Joseph Bell (also known as Ernest) (32 years) | North Richmond VIC | VX50944, VX18156 | 18 Jun 42 | Malaya |
| Gunner Thomas Stephen Cumming (30 years) | Northcote VIC | VX31670 | 6 Jun 42 | Tavoy, Burma |
| Sergeant Clifford Edmund Danaher (24 years) | Ascot Vale VIC | VX31946 | 6 Jun 42 | Tavoy, Burma |
| Private Victor Lawrence Gale (23 years) | Balwyn VIC | VX62289 | 2 Sep 42 | Changi |
| Gunner Alan William Glover (31 years) | East Melbourne VIC | VX57043 | 6 Jun 42 | Tavoy, Burma |
| Signalman Howard Frederick Harvey (21 years) | Townsville QLD | NX49419 | 11 May 43 | Sandakan |
| Sergeant Caryle Benjamin Jones (27 years) | Murrurundi NSW | NX45920 | 22 Mar 42 | Djambi Camp, Sumatra |
| Major Alan Mull (41 years) | Maroubra NSW | NX12243 | 10 Mar 43 | Thambyujayat, Burma |
| Warrant Officer Class II Matthew Wallace Quittenton (37 years) | Canterbury NSW | VX45344 | 6 Jun 42 | Tavoy, Burma |
| Gunner Arthur Reeve (21 years) | Geelong and/or Colac VIC | VX27292 | 6 Jun 42 | Tavoy, Burma |
Please email lorna.clarke@defence.gov.au for photographs and assistance in finding Australian War Memorial and National Archives records.
Media Contact: Lorna Clarke 0408 345 730