Charlton Thomas Fusilier 4278380

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Personnel Entry

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Name Charlton Thomas
Army number 4278380
Rank Fusilier
Decorations None known.
Date of birth 18/8/1911.
Age 33 at the time of his death.
Unit Enlisted in the Royal Northumberland Fusiliers. Posted to the 9th Battalion. Served B.E.F.? Served Malaya. DIED at sea 12/9/1944 whilst a prisoner in Japanese hands - and being trasported in the Rakuyo Maru from Singapore to Japan when it was torpedoed by an Allied submarine.
Company/Battery Y company.
Platoon or other sub-unit
Task or role Not yet known.
Joined Brigade
Promotions None known.
Wounded Not as far as is known.
Prisoner of War Yes - captured 15/2/1942 at Singapore when the force was surrendered.
Died/Killed in action DIED 12/9/1944 - drowned as a result of an attack on a transport vessel en route to Japan. Commemorated on Column 46 of the Singapore Memorial as presumably Thomas' remains were unable be recovered. Probate granted 11/4/1946 at Newcastle upon Tyne to Thomas Foster, miner.
Home address Research indicates that Thomas was the son of Thomas and Margaret H Charlton of 41, Astley Terrace West, Seaton Delaval at the time of the 1911 Census when Thomas was only 3 months old. Date of Thomas' marriage has not yet been traced. At the time of the 1939 General Register Thomas was living with his wife at 39, Jackson Street, Longbenton and working in the Coal Industry as a Heavy Labourer on Surface work. Husband of Mary Annie Charlton of 29, Burradon Road, Burradon, Northumberland.
Source table


To read a detailed article on the sinking of these Japanese transports by the IWM, please click here.