This prisoner of war account is supplied courtesy of the Horsham RSL military history and heritage section. LANCE CLAYTON completed this research.
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Two mates taken as prisoners of war in 1942 by the Japanese Imperial Army at the fall of Singapore were soldiers of the AIF 8th division.
Private John James Pearce, VX41055, 2/29th Battalion was born in Penhurst, Victoria, on December 22, 1917. He enlisted at Caulfield Vic, on June 25, 1940, was discharged on January 14, 1946, and died on July 27, 1981, aged 64.
Corporal Walter Wilhelm Emil Muller, VX25379, 2nd/9th Aust. FD. Ambulance, was born in Altona, Germany, on January 2, 1908. His enlistment locality was Quantong Vic, on June 12, 1940, and he was discharged December 14, 1945.
After capture, John and Wally were imprisoned in Changi Prison, Singapore, and became part of the F-Force to build the proposed Thai-Burma Rail Way of Death. They travelled by lorry, rail trucks and, in April 1943, were force marched the last 300 miles, mainly at night, arriving at Sonkurai on May 17. There were 3600 AIF and 3400 British soldiers from their 18th division.
The back-breaking, dangerous, cruel work commenced within days and prisoners were starved, beaten, executed, clothed in rags and fell victim to disease, tropical ulcers, wounds and broken limbs. Many were worked to death.
Official war records state that about 7780 AIF soldiers alone died in captivity and the Japanese prison camp commanders claimed “Nippon very sorry but many men must die”. In early 1944, with the work done, F-Force began returning to Changi. Weary Dunlop wrote, "That more diggers did not succumb, is because of their unique characteristics of stamina, spirit and mateship”.
During this time, Jack Pearce, became ill and was near death. The sick who could not work were put on meager rations. Wally, Jack’s mate, was working in the kitchens and smuggled food to keep Jack alive. Had Wally been caught, he would have been beheaded but, thanks to Wally, Jack recovered.
The prisoners were liberated in August 1945 and returned to Australia. Wally returned to work at Quantong Fruit and Vegetable Irrigation and Jack returned to Quantong Fruit and Vegetable Orchards and Plots.
Wally married Nancy Boschen and Jack married Florence Overall. Jack and Florence raised three children but, like many other ex-POWs, Jack spent years in and out of repatriation hospitals battling his demons.
He grew apart from his family and lost contact with them until his death. Jack’s wife “Florrie' passed away on March 13 this year, aged 94. There are three children, nine grandchildren and 26 great grandchildren surviving Jack and Florrie.