Tasmanian War Casualties

World War 11 Casualties

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Barrow Jnr Joseph Arthur

See Rakuyo Maru 12^th September 1944

Three Tasmanians photographed on the steps of a casualty clearing station in Malaya

Left to right Cpl J.A Barrow, Sister W Raymont and Pte B Brooks

Three Tasmanians photographed on the steps of a casualty clearing station in Malaya

Photo from the Mercury

Three Tasmanians photographed on the steps of a casualty clearing station in Malaya

Left to right Cpl J.A Barrow, Sister W Raymont and Pte B Brooks

Born 21 July 1919 Alexandra Hospital Hobart Tasmania to Joseph Arthur and Gwylfa Glendower Barrow (nee Ramsey) he was living at Pontville and was a Linesman’s assistant when he enlisted in the Army.

In a letter to his mother which was published in The Mercury 2 Mar 1942 he wrote “So far we have been fortunate and have not been molested by the Japs. Every day the Japs fly over Singapore and drop their bombs. We have a few Hurricane fighters. They are doing a good job. The Japs are respecting our ack-ack guns and never come below 20,000ft.

Our boys reckon they can dish thé Japs up any day but unfortunately the Japs hold superiority in the air at present.

The Japs won't face the bayonet. They climb rubber freehand, shoot our fellows in the back. Don't worry about me. l am in the best of health. I guess things will be pretty hot for us next week.”

It was in October 1943 his family was notified he had been captured and was now a prisoner of war at Moulmein Burma.

He was on board the Rakuyo Maru which was torpedoed in the China Sea on September 12, 1944, while carrying prisoners of war from Malaya to Japan. Cause of death was given as exposure.

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Tasmanian War Casualties, Honouring the past, building understanding.