Wilson, Clarence Barker (Private, b.1905 - d.1945)

Collection relating to the Second World War service of NX52054 Private Clarence Barker Wilson, 2/20 Australian Infantry Battalion, Second Australian Imperial Force, Malaya, 1942.

Wallet 1 of 1 – Consists of one letter from Private Clarence Barker Wilson to his sister, Mrs Audrey Smith [née Wilson]. This letter, dated 12 January 1942, was written while Private Wilson was serving with 2/20 Australian Infantry Battalion in Malaya. In his letter, Private Wilson writes about Japanese aircraft flying overhead on their way to bomb Singapore, being flooded out of camp by heavy rains, and paddling a makeshift canoe. He also asks his sister not to worry about him, and expresses his confidence in the fighting abilities of the Australian forces.

Private Clarence Barker Wilson enlisted to the Second Australian Imperial Force on 1 July 1940. He served with 2/20 Australian Infantry Battalion in Malaya, and was part of the 2/20 Battalion Band. Private Wilson was captured as a prisoner of war when Singapore fell to the Japanese in February 1942. He was held in Sandakan Prisoner of War Camp, Borneo. On 23 May 1945, Private Clarence Barker Wilson died of illness. He is commemorated at Labuan Memorial, Labuan, Malaysia.