Pacific Star : Signalman H W Almond, 8 Division Signals, AIF Concert Party

Pacific Star. Impressed reverse with recipient's details.

NX56258 Herbert Wardley Almond was born on 5 July 1914 in Sydney. He was a storeman living in Oyster Bay, NSW when he enlisted on 4 July 1940 at the Paddington Drill Hall, Sydney and, being a clarinettist, soon joined the AIF Concert Party. After five months of training he was transferred to the 8th Division Signals.

Almond was detached to 2/15 Field Regiment at Holsworthy in February 1941. At the end of July he had embarked with his unit for Malaya. He spent just over a month from mid September to late October in the 10th Australian General Hospital before returning to his unit.

When Singapore surrendered on 15 February 1942 many troops were imprisoned in Changi, including Almond. The Australians formed what became known as the Changi Concert Party within a few days of entering captivity for which a core of about 30 men was selected, among them Almond. These men did not leave Singapore; later, other talented performers, who had been sent on work parties for the Burma Thai Railway were selected to join the Concert Party when they returned to Changi. According to the 8th Division Signals regimental history Almond was one of the leading entertainers of the group. The Concert Party worked hard to keep the moral high in the camp. The musicians played concerts, accompanied theatrical performances, and entertained the sick in the hospital wards as well.

After spending four years in Changi Almond returned to Australia on 10 October 1945. He was discharged from the AIF at the beginning of 1946 and died in 1978.