Melville Mahon CROMBIE

CROMBIE, Melville Mahon

Service Number: NX60312
Enlisted: 17 July 1940, Goulburn, New South Wales
Last Rank: Sergeant
Last Unit: 2nd/19th Infantry Battalion
Born: Marrickville, New South Wales, 3 December 1915
Home Town: Reid, Australian Capital Territory
Schooling: Not yet discovered
Occupation: Accountant / Public servant
Died: Died of Illness (POW of Japan), Burma, 16 September 1943, aged 27 years
Cemetery: Thanbyuzayat War Cemetery
Grave A 7, C D, Thanbyuzayat War Cemetery, Thanbyuzayat, Mon State, Myanmar
Memorials: Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Ballarat Australian Ex-Prisoners of War Memorial
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World War 2 Service

17 Jul 1940: Involvement Sergeant, NX60312, 2nd/19th Infantry Battalion, Malaya/Singapore
17 Jul 1940: Enlisted Goulburn, New South Wales
17 Jul 1940: Enlisted Australian Military Forces (Army WW2), Sergeant, NX60312, 2nd/19th Infantry Battalion

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Biography

Melville Mahon CROMBIE was born on 3rd December, 1915 in Marrickville, Sydney NSW

His parents were Walter Andrew CROMBIE and Annie May FAHEY

He had previous service with the 3rd Battalion (Militia) before he enlisted on 17th July, 1940 with the Australian Army - he was a Sergeant with the 2/19th Australian Infantry Battalion & was a Prisoner of War (see story below)

Melville died on 16th September, 1943 from Illness and is buried in Thanbyuzayat War Cemetery - he is also commemorated on the Australian War Memorial and the A.C.T. Roll of Honour in Canberra

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Canberra Times 7th March, 1945

Sergeant M M CROMBIE

Mrs. A.M. Crombie of Coranderrk, Reid, has been informed by the Minister for the Army that her son Sergeant Melville Mahon Crombie, previously reported prisoner of war is now reported to have died of illness whilst prisoner of war in Burma 

The late Sergeant Crombie was one of the first men to enlist from Canberra in the present war.  Before his enlistment Melville Crombie was a qualified accountant on the staff of the Department of the Interior which staff he joined upon his arrival in Canberra after having gained his first class honours in both mathematics in his Leaving Certificate

He was well known in Canberra sporting circles, being secretary of the Northbourne Cricket Club and one of its more tirelsss workers and outstanding players.  He was assistant secretary of the A.C. T. Cricket Association and a member of the Reid Tennis Club.  

He was a member of the 3rd Battalion Militia before war broke out and was one of the first to enlist from Canberra.  On active service he was a member of the famous 2/19 Battalion led by Lieutenant Colonel Anderson, V.C.  He escaped from Singapore after the fall but was captured in Java and was prisoner of war in Moulmein in Burma.  

He paid the supreme sacrifice whilst working on the railway in Burma.

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