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946543
Gunner (Driver Mechanic)
William Edward Glasby
1919/04/10 - Born Darnell, Sheffield
Son of Albert and Agnes (nee Winks) Glasby
Next of Kin Father, Albert Glasby, Fisher Lane, Darnell, Yorkshire
Royal Artillery
125 Anti Tank Regiment
18th Division
Service
In September 1939, the 125 Field Regiment began serious training with very little equipment.
In 1940 their roll and name were changed, becoming the 125 Anti Tank Regiment , training in Norfolk as part of the 18th Division.
In November new equipment was being transported into their training and they were being prepared for oversea deployment. They were then transported to Scotland in the snow, they then had desert training, in the snow.
At Gourock in March 1941, the 125 Anti Tank Regiment embarked on the P&O liner ‘Strathaird’. After putting to sea, the ship was forced to return for repairs. This caused their oversea deployment to be cancelled and it was back to training again.
Their training ended when the were transported to Liverpool to help with the bombing raids. The Regiment had their first casualties when they were three members of the regiment were killed, and many wounded.
1941, May - WO 417/24, Casualty List No. 523. William reported ‘Wounded’.
In October the 125 Anti Tank Regiment embarked at Avonmouth on the S.S. Oronsay and sailed about midday on 28th October 1941, destination unknown.
After a few hours in the Clyde the Oransay sailed north-west towards Iceland, and the temperature dropped, and with a slight swell, seasickness was rampant.
The convoy CT.5 reached Halifax, Nova Scotia and they were transferred to American liners flying the Stars and stripes, sailing on the 8th November as Convoy William Sail 12X.
SS Joseph T Dickman
The 125 Anti Tank Regiment were aboard the USS Joseph T Dickman.
On the 8th December 1941, Japan entered the war by bombing Pearl Harbour, attacking Malaya and Hong Kong. While on route to the Middle East, the 18th Division was deployed to Singapore.
Soon after reaching Singapore the Japanese had taken Malaya and now had Singapore in their sights.
Gen. Percival had been bluffed by the Japanese into believing they would attack from Pulau Ubin and he had ordered the defences on the North East coastline to be reinforced.
On the 8th February the Japanese attacked the North West coast of Singapore and soon gained ground. By the 15th February the reservoirs which supplied water to Singapore City were under threat and Gen. Percival decided to surrender Singapore Island.
‘The Singapore Surrender’ by Leo Rawlings
1942/04/03 - WO 417/41, Casualty List No. 788. Reported ‘Missing’.
Japanese PoW
1942/02/15 - Captured Singapore
River Valley Camp
PoW No. 5276
Japanese Index Card - Side One
Japanese Index Card - Side Two
Left River Valley Road Camp, Singapore on about the 11th October 1942, and Transported Overland to Thailand
Attached to Group 4 10 (C) Work Battalion, under Major MacKinlay
New PoW No. IV 3801
1942/11/28 - William reported sick at Tonchan Central Camp, Thailand
William died on the 28th December 1942 and was buried at Tonchan Central Cemetery, Grave 25.
After the war William was reburied at Kanchanaburi War Cemetery
Died
Age 23
28th December 1942
Cause of death Gastric Ulcer and Malaria
1945/12/17 - WO417/100, Casualty List No. 1930. Previously shown on Casualty List No. 1149 as reported Prisoner of War. Previous Theatre of War, Malaya. Reported ‘Died’.
Loved Ones
Father Albert and Agnes Glasby
Memorial
8. C. 34.
Kanchanaburi War Cemetery
Thailand
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Pacific Star
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War Medal
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1939-1945 Star
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Far East Medals
Information
Brian Glasby
Andrew Snow - Thailand Burma Railway Centre
Convoy William Sail 12X
Fall of Malaya and Singapore
Japanese Transports
Thailand Burma Railway
Commonwealth War Grave Commission
KEW Files:- WO 304/4, WO 361/1623, WO 361/2125, WO 361/1987, WO 392/24, WO 345/20, WO 361/1623,
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