Jones, Charles Edward Francis (Private, b.1901 - d.1972)

Collection relating to the Second World War service of NX51703 Private Charles Edward Francis 'Frank' Jones, 2/19 Australian Infantry Battalion, Second Australian Imperial Force, Australia, Singapore, Thailand and Burma, 1941-1945.

Wallet 1 of 1 – Consists of one copy of typed memoir of Private Charles Edward Francis 'Frank' Jones. Private Jones’ memoir, titled 'Guest of Nippon', records his experiences of enlistment in 1941, the fall of Singapore, and time as a prisoner of war of the Japanese between 1942 and 1945. In his memoir, Private Jones writes about embarkation, arrival in Singapore, being drafted to the 2/19 Australian Infantry Battalion, the battle for Singapore, capitulation, settling in to Selarang Barracks at Changi, leaving Singapore as part of 'A' Force, working on a Japanese aerodrome, working on the Burma-Thai Railway, trading with local people for food, being ill with malaria, sabotaging the railway, beatings by overseers, large numbers of lice, witnessing amputations, cases of dysentery, air raids, being temporarily paralysed by a back injury, returning to Changi, being liberated, and being repatriated to Australia by boat.

Private Charles Edward Francis “Frank” Jones enlisted to the Second Australian Imperial Force on 10 November 1941, after previously serving in the Citizen Military Force. Private Jones embarked for overseas service in January 1942. He served with 2/19 Australian Infantry Battalion in Singapore, but was captured as a prisoner of war on 15 February 1942, when the city fell to the Japanese. Private Jones was interned at Changi Prisoner of War Camp, and subsequently worked on the Burma-Thai Railway as part of “A” Force. He returned to Australia after the war, and was discharged on 9 January 1946.