Whapshott-Maurice-George

To honour those who served their country

“In this their finest hour”

1549516

Gunner

Maurice George Whapshott

1916/05/08 - Born London

Next of Kin Grandmother, E Goodchild, Richardson Street, High Wycombe, Berkshire

Royal Artillery

144/35 Light Anti Aircraft Regiment

Service

The 35 Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment, RA (TA) was raised at Oxford and the 144 Battery was formed 6th August 1939.

1941/11/12 - The 35 L.A.A. Regiment sailed close to midnight in the Empress of Japan with Convoy WS 12X, arriving in Durban on 18th December where shore leave was allowed.

On returning from shore leave they changed ships to the Narkunda and Convoy DM1, leaving Durban on 24th December, reaching Singapore the 13th January 1942.

The 144 Battalion and two troops of the 89th Battery crossed the causeway into Malaya. 78 Battery and B Troop of 89 Battery were deployed in defence of Kallang airfield and the Naval Base. The Japanese were already in South Malaya and seeing Malaya was lost, the troops were eventually withdrawn back to Singapore.

Regimental HQ and 144 Battery remained in Singapore.

1942/02/15 - Singapore surrendered to the Japanese

1942/08/22 - WO 417/48, Casualty List No. 909. Reported ‘Missing’.

Japanese PoW

1942/02/15 Captured Singapore

PoW No. M-98

Japanese Index Card - Side One

Japanese Index Card - Side Two

1942/04/04 - Transported oversea in Nissyo Maru to Saigon, French Indo-China

Group 3

New PoW No.528

1942/05/02 - Hanoi

1942/11/13 - Saigon

New PoW No. 16804

1945/01/28 - Phu My

1945/06/17 - Saigon

1945/09/13 - Liberated Saigon

Flown from Saigon to Rangoon to be shipped home.

Liberation Questionnaire filled in by Maurice after being liberated

1945/10/19 - WO417/98, Casualty List No. 1888. Previously shown on Casualty List No. 1147 as reported Prisoner of War now Not Prisoner of War. Previous Theatre of War, Malaya.