Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Mick was born to Agnes and Thomas Buirchell in Kojonup 1914. A year later his father set off to join the AIF to fight in the Second World War.

Mick and his older brother Bonnie grew up inseparable and found the Kojonup environment a huge playground. They became hunters and gatherers for fun and to supplement the larder for their parents and five sisters.

They would take off with a trustee greyhound and a 22 rifle each to hunt the many rabbits and kangaroos that abounded in the Kojonup area. They would sleep rough and return home at intervals.

During their wanderings they improved their ball skills, kicking objects and throwing stones at targets they pointed out. Later in their teens they became accomplished sportsmen. Their hand eye coordination had been well honed. They were selected in local cricket and football teams and were in many grand final wins.

The Second World War interfered with their carefree world. Mick joined first and trained at Northam. He joined the 2/3 Machine Gun Battalion and embarked for the Middle East.

With the Japanese closing in on Singapore the Battalion was sent to Indonesia to organise a defence of Australia. Unfortunately the fall of Singapore saw the capture of all the men in the 2/3 and they were incarcerated in Changi.

The Japanese wanted to build a railway from Singapore through Burma to allow quick movement of munitions and personnel. Mick and his fellow soldiers were sent to Hellfire Pass to live in attrocious conditions and treated poorly. Many of the cruel incidences left many mentally shocked and they refused to discuss their times in the jungle. 

With the dropping of the atomic bombs in 1945 Japan surrendered and Mick and the remaining men of the 2/3 were released and returned to Australia. Mick took years to return to normality. He married Rhoda and had 2 daughters. The family lived in the townsite of Kojonup and were well known and well liked. Mick and fellow returned soldiers remained quiet about their experiences but had the adulation of the townspeople. Mick went back to playing cricket and football. He also became a sought after farm manager. The family did spend some time in the little town of Muradup but most of their lives were in Kojonup.