Smith, Charles James (Private, b.1915 - d.1943)

Collection relating to NX2573 Private (Pte) Charles James Smith who served with 2/30 Infantry Battalion, HQ Company, Transport Platoon, before the fall of Singapore in 1942 when he became a prisoner of war of the Japanese. Comprises a pocket sized diary kept by Pte Smith and containing seven pages of entries from 29 July 1941, as well as a list of dates of the prisoner of war camps he moved to including Changi. The collection also includes two letters from the Department of Army regarding Pte Smith's grave in the Thanbyuzayat Military Cemetry, Burma, his military driving licence, and several personal items such a 1941 Xmas greeting card. Pte Smith worked as part of F Force work party until he died of illness (dysentery) in Thailand as a prisoner of war on 1 November 1943.