George Clive (Clive) PLAYER

PLAYER, George Clive

Service Number: SX8903
Enlisted: 15 July 1940
Last Rank: Private
Last Unit: Not yet discovered
Born: Yorketown, South Australia, 2 June 1910
Home Town: Warooka, Yorke Peninsula, South Australia
Schooling: Warooka, South Australia
Occupation: Not yet discovered
Died: Illness while a POW of the Japanese, Borneo, 7 June 1945, aged 35 years
Cemetery: No known grave - "Known Unto God"
Labuan Memorial Panel 24
Memorials: Adelaide WW2 Wall of Remembrance, Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Ballarat Australian Ex-Prisoners of War Memorial
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World War 2 Service

15 Jul 1940: Involvement Private, SX8903
15 Jul 1940: Enlisted Wayville, SA
15 Jul 1940: Enlisted Australian Military Forces (Army WW2), Private, SX8903
Date unknown: Involvement

Brothers in Arms

Clive was the second son born to George Thomas and Beatrice Myrtle Player on the 2nd June 1910 at Yorketown. He grew up at Warooka, near Corny Point on the Yorke Peninsula, where his father was a wheat farmer. George was also active on the local council which, post WWI was energetic in fund raising for a Memorial Hall. Clive had three siblings included a sister, Audrey, older brother Keith, and younger brother, Milton Stanford.
Typical of country young men, Clive was an accomplished sportsman. As a youngster he competed in the Returned Soldiers’ Meeting of ’22 where he confidently won the Boys over 12 race competition. In later years he played tennis, cricket and won a silver cup in the local golf tournament of September ’34. Clive was also a member of the militia but with the outbreak of WWII, he and older brother, Keith decided to enlist on the same day, 15th July, 1940, and were allocated sequential numbers, Clive being SX8903 and Keith SX8904. 30-year-old Clive was allocated to the 8th division Ammunition Motor Transport Company and 33-year-old Keith to the 2/48th Battalion.
Clive and fellow Motor Transport Driver enlistee, Don McDonald were the guests of honor at a public social in the Warooka Memorial Hall in January ‘41. The Pioneer reported that; ‘The attendance bore testimony to the popularity of the two lads. Mr. T. A. Murdock (Chairman of District Council) presided, and in a fitting speech made the customary presentation of a purse containing money from the residents of the district. Messrs. L. A. Pringle (R.S.A.), W. Ewers (Tennis). J. A. McKenzie (Golf), and T. A. Murdock (Cricket), also spoke—the sporting bodies each making a presentation to Clive.’ Typically dancing then followed, concluding with "Auld Lang Syne.''
The local community again farewelled Clive at a social evening in August where he was presented with a wristlet watch by Mr. J. Barclay on behalf of local folk. The Pioneer reported that ‘Clive had been serving the Corny Point district with unfailing courtesy and patience for the past 14 years and is highly respected and well liked.’ A further comment about the return of the two soldiers was that ‘Both boys are exceptionally well— evidently camp life and Irish Stews agree with them.’ Clive had his final leave at home. The local Pioneer reported that while home on leave Warooka was pleased to welcome home for the weekend several of its A.I.F. members — Keith and Clive Player, Bob Lampard SX8924, Dean Liddicoat SX8516 2/48th, Douglass Holmes SX8942 and Harold Miller S212902 spending their few hours with their families. This was to be the last time the family saw Clive.
In his definitive book, ‘We Left Our Trucks at Changi’s Gate’ Anthony Wege traces the fate of the 2/4th Reserve Motor Transport Company 2/AIF “which had trucks as its weapon of war, got on with its business in the background supporting those who needed their people, supplies and equipment moved about in Singapore and Malaya in 1941 and into 1942. In February 1942 most of these soldiers became prisoners of war.” This was to be Clive’s fate in Malaya.
The first news that came through was in July ’42 with an extensive list of those missing, Clive being amongst the number, news that the family had been dreading. The Chronicle carried an official message: ‘An extensive list of casualties, mostly men missing, was issued this week by the Army Department. The list includes the first names of men missing as the result of the Malayan, Amboina, Java, Singapore, Timor, and New Britain campaigns. The Minister (Mr. Forde) warns the public against assuming that they are fresh casualties.’
By April the following year the Advertiser reported that ‘Mr. and Mrs. G. T. Player, of Warooka, Yorke Peninsula, have been advised that their son. Pte. G. C. Player, who was previously reported missing in Malaya, is now a prisoner in Borneo.’ Clive’s name and those of four other soldiers in a similar situation were published in the Advertiser of April ’43. However, the hopes of their families were raised when a note arrived from Clive and was published in the Advertiser of September ’44 that ‘Mr. and Mrs. G. T. Player, Warooka, from their son Clive, in Borneo. He is in good health and wished to be remembered to all friends.’ Similar cards with similar wording were received by other families whose sons were also being held as prisoners. Anthony Wege explained the conditions pre- and post the surrender that caused so many to become Prisoners of War. The card writing, which began in the middle of 1943 had to be in capital letters as cursive could not be read or vetted by the Japanese; the message had to be brief and could not be critical of the captors. All of which gave such minimal information or comfort to families back in Australia.
The Chronicle published a list of Prisoners of War: SX9269 Pte. Gordon J. Barker. S/Trans. Norwood; SX8903 Pte. G. C. Player. S/Trans., Warooka; SX11733 Pte Frederick Priester, S/Trans. Largs; SX11693 Pte Thomas H. Robbins. S/Trans. Heidelberg, Vic; SX11546 Pte. Clarence Oliver S/Trans. Adelaide: SX11728 Pte. Henry A. Sandercock, S/Trans., Colonel Light Gardens: SX12031 Pte Albert Schiphorst. Ord. Port Adelaide. Of this list every man died between March and June.
Six months later this fiercely held flicker of hope was dashed as the family was formally advised that Clive, who had been a prisoner of war in Japanese hands' for over three years, died of illness on June 7th, 1945. Of those initially listed as Prisoners of War with Clive had all died. Gordon died 3rd March ’45, Clive 7th June ’45, Frederick 22nd March ’45, Thomas 4th June ’45, Clarence 28th March ’45, Henry 3rd April ’45 and Albert on the 17 March ’45.
Of the newly published list of deaths whilst POW, all were described as being ‘of illness’. SX10824 A/Sgt. William J. R. Coulter S and T. Somerton (3rd June ’45): SX 10846 Pte. Neil W Ferguson S and T, Kensington(14th June ’45); SX10635 Pte. Lindsay C. Manton S and T. Lillimur, Vic(22nd July ’45); SX 10091 Pte. Vernon H. McKinnon, Salvage, Burnside (14th April ’45); SX8903 Pte. G. C. Player, S and T. Warooka; SX10637 Pte. Thomas R. Skinner, S and T, Bordertown (17th April ’45); SX9592 Pte Colin L. Wright, S and T. Strathalbyn (13th June ’45).
Anthony Wege’s investigation summarises a little of the treatment metered out to the POWs and deaths due to diseases such as beriberi - a cruel and totally preventable ailment. The appalling statistic that 1,780 Australian servicemen died while prisoners in Sandakan did not emerge until the Allieds had won the war and peace was declared. Slowly, the horrific conditions under which these men were held and the names of the perpetrators were revealed, a legal inquiry eventuated through the War Crimes tribunal. So many horrific stories emerged from the small number who survived. For the families who had lost their fathers, brothers, sons or husbands the verdict did not return their loved ones. They continued to grieve.
A photo survives in the National Archives of young Clive, titled ‘SA. Paybook photograph, taken on enlistment, of SX8903 Private George Clive Player, 8th Division Ammunition Sub-Park, Australian Army Service Corps. He was one of over 2000 Allied prisoners of war (POW) held in the Sandakan POW camp in north Borneo, having been transferred there from Singapore as a part of B Force. The 1494 POW's that made up B Force, were transported from Changi on 7 July 1942 on board the tramp ship Ubi Maru, arriving in Sandakan Harbour on 18 July 1942. Private Player, aged 35, died as a prisoner of the Japanese on 7 June 1945. He was the son of George Thomas Player and Beatrice Myrtle Player, of Warooka, SA. He is commemorated on the Labuan Memorial Panel 24. In total, 2,294 others are remembered with him.
Pioneer Friday 30 November 1945, SX8903 PLAYER, Pte.G.C.—With loved memories of our dear son and brother, Clive, who passed away in POW Camp in Borneo on June 7, 1945. One of God's best —Ever remembered by Father, Mother, Keith, Audrey and Milton.
Chronicle Thursday 6 December 1945, PLAYER, Pte. G. C. SX8903. — In loving memory of Clive, who died In P.O.W camp. Borneo, on June 7, 1945. — Ever remembered by Audrey, Gordon and Phillip
Pioneer Friday 7 June 1946, PLAYER, G. C.—Cherished memories of our dearly loved son and brother Clive, who died in a P.O.W. camp on June 7th. 1945. Some day we will understand —Ever remembered by Father, Mother and Milton. PLAYER, G. C.— In loving memory of Clive, died whilst P.O.W. on June 7th, 1945. In silence we remember — Always remembered by Keith and Nell PLAYER. Private Clive C.— In loving memory of our dear nephew Clive, who died in a P.O.W. Camp in Borneo. Lest we forget, — Ever remembered by Aunt Alice and Uncle Harry, Warooka.
Advertiser Friday 7 June 1946, PLAYER. G. C—ln loving memory of Clive, died whilst P.O.W. on June 7. 1945. In silence we remember. —Always remembered by Keith and Nell. PLAYER. G. C—Cherished memories of Clive, died while POW on June 7, 1945. Some day we will understand. Ever remembered by father, mother and Milton. PLAYER. G. C—Sacred to the memory of Clive who died in Borneo, June 7, 1945. —Ever remembered by Elsie. PLAYER. —In loving memory of Clive who passed away in Borneo P.O.W camp on June 7, 1945. Always remembered by his sister Audrey, brother-in-law Gordon, and nephew Phillip.
Pioneer Friday 6 June 1947, PLAYER, G. C.—Fond memories of our dearly loved son and brother, Clive, who died in a P.O.W. camp on June 7, 1945. Too dearly loved to be forgotten —Inserted by father, mother, Audrey and Milton. PLAYER, Pte. G. C., SX8903.—In memory of our beloved nephew, Clive, who died in P.O.W. Camp, Borneo, on June 7th, 1945, Fond memories linger every day Remembrance keeps you near. —Ever remembered by Uncle Harry and Aunt Alice.
Advertiser Saturday 7 June 1947, PLAYER, G. C—Loving memories of Clive, who died in P.O W. camp on June 7, 1945. —Ever remembered by Audrey, Gordon and boys. PLAYER. G. C.—Fond memories of our dearly loved son and brother Clive, who died in P.O.W. camp on June 7, 1945. Too dearly loved to be forgotten, by father. mother and Milton. PLAYER, G. G.—ln loving memory of our brother Clive, died P.O.W., June 7, 1945—Keith and Nellie.
Pioneer Friday 9 June 1950, PLAYER — Cherished memories of Clive, who died in a P.O.W. camp on June 7th,1945. —Ever remembered by his father, mother and Milton.

Researched and written by Kaye Lee, daughter of Bryan Holmes SX8133, 2/48th Battalion.

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