Williams, Thomas James (Corporal, b.1906 - d.1943)

Collection relating to the Second World War service of VX42674 Corporal Thomas James Williams, 2/29 Australian Infantry Battalion, Second Australian Imperial Force, Malaya and Australia, 1941-1945.

Wallet 1 of 1 – Consists of correspondence relating to Corporal Thomas James Williams. This correspondence was written during Corporal Williams’ service with 2/29 Australian Infantry Battalion in Malaya, and subsequent death as a prisoner of war of the Japanese. This wallet contains:
1x Copy of letter from Corporal Williams to his brother and sister-in-law, Charles and Dorothy Williams, Malaya, 29 November 1941. In this letter, Corporal Williams writes about his correspondence, interacting with local civilians, struggling with the heat and humidity, news regarding the war, and life in the army.
1x Letter from Corporal Williams to his parents, Francis and Annie Williams, Malaya, 31 December 1941. In this letter, Corporal Williams writes about regular Japanese air raids, and responds to news regarding folks at home.
1x Typed transcript of letter from Corporal Williams to his parents. This transcript includes contextual notes.
1x Letter from The Australian Red Cross Society to Corporal Williams’ mother, Mrs Annie Williams, Melbourne, Victoria, 17 December 1945. This letter expresses sympathy for the death of Corporal Williams.

Corporal Thomas James Williams enlisted to the Second Australian Imperial Force on 12 July 1940. After a short period of training, he joined 2/29 Australian Infantry Battalion and embarked for service in Malaya in August 1941. In February 1942, Corporal Williams was captured as a prisoner of war when Singapore fell to the Japanese. As a prisoner, he worked on the Burma-Thailand Railway. Corporal Williams died of illness on 2 December 1943 in Burma. He is buried at Thanbyuzayat War Cemetery, Myanmar.