Strang, John 'Jock' (Warrant Officer, b.1896 - d.?)

Collection relating to the Second World War service of Warrant Officer Class 1 John 'Jock' Strang, 4 Motor Transport Company and prisoner of war [POW]. During his time as a prisoner of war at Nakom Paton Casualty Clearing Station, Warrant Officer Strang assisted Lieutenant Colonel 'Weary' Dunlop by undertaking physiotherapy and physical training sessions for his fellow servicemen. The collection contains index cards kept on patients arranged alphabetically, showing diagnosis, treatment, remarks, masseur, nationality and hut number. Also illustrations of camps and medical implements. A later addition to this collection is a handmade illustrated album by Jack Chalker, presented to John Strang in appreciation of his work and friendship in the prisoner of war camps in Thailand, 1942-1946.

Strang was born in Scotland and a veteran of the First World War. He migrated to Australia in the 1920's and enlisted in the Australian Army in 1940 at the age of 46. He was taken prisoner during the fall of Singapore and sent to Changi. From there he was sent to work on the Burma-Tahiland Railway. After a severe bout of malaria, Strang was Sent to Nakom Paton Casualty Clearing Station where he spent the duration of the war working under Lt Col 'Weary' Dunlop, undertaking physiotherapy and physical training session for his fellow servicemen.