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, (Burma) 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, Young Hennessy Catholic College War Memorial |
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 (WW2) , Sergeant, NX60312, 2nd/19th Infantry Battalion |
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Add my storyBiography
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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