Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Son of Henry and Harriet Bloomfield, of Darlington Point, New South Wales, Australia.

Pte. Robert Marshall Bloomfield
Accidentally Killed
The sad news has been received of the death (accidental) of Pte. Robert Marshall Bloomfield, formerly of Darlington Point, who has been in German hands as a prisoner of war for  the past four years, having been taken prisoner in Greece. Pte. Bloomfield has been ill whilst he has been a prisoner, and has informed his family that he had to undergo several operations. The sad news that he has been accidentally killed after four years of such an ordeal is indeed very sad.
He was one of the four sons of Mr. Henry Bloomfield and the late Mrs. Bloomfield, and enlisted from the Darlington Point district where he was employed before the war. His three  brothers also are in the services, Percy being a P.O.W. in the hands of. the Japanese, Harold being in the Air Force, and Albert, unfortunately, being on the list of those missing (in  Malaya), believed killed There are also three sisters who live in Hay, Emma (Mrs. Tuddenham), and Misses Margaret and Minnie.

Pte. R. M. Bloomfield Accidentally Killed
When referring in this column recently to the whereabouts of local prisoners of war of whom no word had been received, I mentioned Pte. R. M. Bloomfield ("Ding," to his  acquaintances), who was captured in Greece and had therefore been a prisoner for four years. We now know why. His father has been officially advised that he was accidentally  killed, how, when or where is not yet known, just the bald statement of his death. Particulars of the accident will, no doubt, be received later on. Surely fate dealt poor "Ding" a hard blow. Liberated from captivity only to be snatched away when almost in sight of home. The irony and the sadness of it!
Losing his mother at an early age, "Ding's" life had not been a bed of roses, yet, despite this handicap he grew to manhood clean, and was well liked by his friends because of  that. His two younger brothers served in Malaya and were taken prisoners at the fall of Singapore. Vale "Ding," you will be in good company on the other side, and the gates of  "Valhalla" will open wide to receive you. 

London advises unconfirmed report alleges he was accidentally killed by Russian Army Truck,  Record as previosuly reported POW now reported believed killed accidentally.