Knowles Samuel Fusilier 4278712
Personnel Entry
Name Knowles Samuel
Army number 4278712
Rank Fusilier
Decorations None known.
Date of birth Date not yet able to be traced.
Age 27 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 12/9/1944, at sea en route from Singapore to Japan, whilst a prisoner of the Japanese, when the transport Rakuyo Maru was torpedoed by an Allied submarine.
Company/Battery W Company.
Platoon or other sub-unit
Task or role Not yet known.
Joined Brigade
Promotions None known.
Wounded Not so 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 - cause of death - drowning. Commemorated on Column 47 of the Singapore Memorial as presumably Samuel's remains were unable to be recovered. Probate granted 2/1/1947 at Durham Registry granted to Elizabeth May Connelley (wife of George Connelley) and presumably Samuel's widow.
Home address Husband of Elizabeth May Knowles.
Source table
To read a detailed article by the IWM on the sinking of these Japanese transports, please click here.
