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Archiver > AUS-SAGEN > 2004-05 > 1084863011


From: Christine Tillett <>
Subject: ballarat newspaper pow's - FLETCHER/CHEW/Lance Corporal Edward COATSWORTHvx
Date: Tue, 18 May 2004 07:50:26 +0100 (BST)


Hi all,

Lance Corporal John Upton FLETCHER
vx46998
enlisted 1939 Albury NSW
captured 17/5/1941 Tobruk
age then 32
incacerated Northern Italy
liberated 1944
died 19/7/1983
born in TAS died in Ballarat VIC
served with 2/23 infantry Battalion in the 9th
division of the 2nd AIF.
acording to his son Jim, he never spoke much about his
service like a lot of others,he returned to his family
and got on with life.
imprisioned in Northern Italy until Italy capitulated
and the Germans decided to occupy the country.
Italian guards opened the gates and informed the POW's
of the situation. also informed them of the options of
wait for the Germans or leave. They headed for the
Swiss Alps. The Red Cross billeted them in private
homes in Switzerland for the duration of the war.

Warrant Officer Alex CHEW
vx 45931
enlisted shepparton
captured 2/1942 Amon
age then 28
incacerated Tan Toey(Ambon)
escaped 3/1942
died 1988
of chinese australian descent he grew up in Bendigo
and was a member of the Gull Force on Ambon. Accused
by his captors after the fall of Ambon of being
chinese he was singled out for a brutal treatment and
was nearly bayonetted to death. Given the job of
erecting the barbed wire around the compound he and
his mates made sure there were plenty of exits.







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