Burrey, Edward William. (Staff, Sergeant, b.1920 - d.2004)

Places
Accession Number PR00662
Collection type Private Record
Record type Collection
Measurement Extent: 1 cm; Wallet/s: 1
Object type Copy, Diary
Maker Burrey, Edward William
Place made Malaya: Johore, Johore Bahru
Date made 1942-1945
Access Open
Related File This file can be copied or viewed via the Memorial’s Reading Room. AWM371 95/0728
Conflict Second World War, 1939-1945
Copying Provisions Copyright restrictions apply. Only personal, non-commercial, research and study use permitted. Permission of copyright holder required for any commercial use and/or reproduction.
Description

Collection relating to the Second World War service of NX58148 Sergeant Edward William Burrey, 8 Australian Division, Malaya and Singapore, 1942-1945.

Collection contains two diaries of Sergeant Edward William Burrey, 1942-1945. The diary begins with a narrative account of events between January and June 1942 at Johore Baru, Malaya and Singapore, including the evacuation and capitulation, march to Changi, placement on work parties, illness amongst prisoners, longing for home, punishments issued by the Japanese, and the kindness of the Chinese. Sergeant Burrey also describes departing the camp for work on the Burma-Thailand Railway with "F" Force and marching from Ban Pong to Sonkurai. He goes on to describe the work, lack of food, death count and cremations, his return to Changi after 8 months, appearance of Allied bombers, AIF Concert Party and other entertainment, move to camp at Bukit Timah to work on building tunnels, Japanese surrender, ensuing events and return to Australia.

The collection also includes a transcript of the diaries.