Historical information

Item issued to Cyril John WATSON. Cyril enlisted initially in the 17th Machine Gun Regt on 29.9.1939. He rose through the ranks to Lieut on 23.7.1940. Seconded to the 2nd AIF as VX39057 on 1.11.1940 with 4th Anti Tank Regt age 22 years 5 months. Embarked for Malaya 3.2.1941, hospital on ship with Influenza 11.2.1942, disembark Singapore 18.2.1942 and into hospital, rejoin unit 3.3.1941. Listed as Missing 16.2.1942, reported POW Borneo dated 22.3.1943, rescued from the Japanese 12.9.1945 at Kuching Borneo, hospital 2/9th AGH with Malnutrition and Malaria then to 2/2nd Aust Hospital Ship and stopping Morotai arriving Sydney 19.9.1945, then to Victoria and Heidelberg Military Hospital 14.10.1945. Although a bit sketchy it appears on his records he may have had Pulm T.B in early 1946, finally being discharged from the AIF on 17.1.1947.
Over 500 members of 4th Anti Tank Regt were taken POW.
Refer also Cat No 1121.

Physical description

.1) Tropical dress uniform jacket.
.2) & .3) Rising sun lapel badges (attached to jacket, right one is broken in two.)