CROOK, David
| Service Number: | WX4849 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 6 July 1940 |
| Last Rank: | Corporal |
| Last Unit: | 8th Division Signals |
| Born: | Hastings, England, 5 May 1908 |
| Home Town: | Cottesloe, Western Australia |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Printer/Compositor Western Australian Newspaper |
| Died: | Died of lllness whilst Prisoner or War, Burma, 4 September 1943, aged 35 years |
| Cemetery: |
Thanbyuzayat War Cemetery, (Burma) A9 B 14 |
| Memorials: | Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Ballarat Australian Ex-Prisoners of War Memorial, Kings Park Western Australia State War Memorial |
World War 2 Service
| 6 Jul 1940: | Enlisted Australian Military Forces (WW2) , Corporal, WX4849, 8th Division Signals | |
|---|---|---|
| 4 Sep 1943: | Involvement Australian Military Forces (WW2) , Corporal, WX4849, 8th Division Signals, Died of illness whilst a Prisoner of War. |
Help us honour David Crook's service by contributing information, stories, and images so that they can be preserved for future generations.
Add my storyBiography contributed by Daryl Jones
Son of Leslie (Lazarus) and Martha CROOK nee WOLFF
"AGE SHALL NOT WEARY THEM NOR THE YEARS CONDEMN...LEST WE FORGET"
Survived by sisters Frances, Mrs Ella Pennyquick and brothers Michael, John and Reginald
Biography contributed by Geoff Tilley
David Crook was born at Hastings England in May 1908, to Lazarus and Martha Crook (nee Wolff). He was one of six siblings with three brothers and two sisters.
It is unknown when the family arrived in Western Australia. In 1921 the electoral roll has the family residing in Maylands with David working as a printer.
In 1930 David joined the Citizens Military Forces (C.M.F.), posted to the Machine Gun Company of 28 Battalion. He was transferred to Signals before he was discharged in 1933 with the rank of Corporal.
In 1940 he was working as a printer with The West Australian Newspaper when he enlisted into the Second Australian Imperial Force (A.I.F.) in the July at Claremont.
He was taken on strength with the 5 Division Signals, conducting his training at the Northam Camp. He was transferred to the Signal School of Instruction, Liverpool, New South Wales.
Returning back to Perth, in October 1940, he was promoted to Corporal in June 1941. By July 1941 he was taken on strength with the 8 Division Company Signals where was acting as a Lance Sergeant.
In August 1941 he embarked for overseas service from Fremantle, disembarking in Singapore.
By January 1942 the Japanese Imperial Army had swiftly advanced through Malaya towards the Australians at Singapore. David was captured but not reported as a prisoner of war until May 1943.
David was attached to “A” Force the first large workforce of Australian POWs to leave Singapore in May 1943, sailing to the Southwest coast of Burma. They were set to work under brutal conditions constructing new airfields for their Japanese capturer’s who inflicted severe punishment.
Moving to Thanbyuzayat Burma in late August, David was taken to Taungzun 60 Kilo Prisoner of War Hospital with cholera.
Corporal David Crook service number WX4849 of 8 Division Company Signals died of his illness on the 4 September 1943. He was aged 35 years.
In April 1946 David was exhumed from the Taungzun POW Cemetery and reinterred at Thanbyuzayat War Cemetery Burma.
He is remembered with honour.
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