Albert Edward ENGEL

Albert Edward ENGEL Update Details

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ENGEL, Albert Edward

Service Number:	NX47202
Enlisted:	27 August 1940
Last Rank:	Private
Last Unit:	General / Motor Transport Company/ies (WW2)
Born:	Nelsons Bay, New South Wales, Australia, 28 December 1919
Home Town:	Tea Gardens, Great Lakes, New South Wales
Schooling:	Not yet discovered
Occupation:	Baker
Died:	Died at sea (Rakuyo Maru), South China Sea, 14 September 1944, aged 24 years
Cemetery:	No known grave - "Known Unto God" Panel 22, Labuan Memorial, Labuan, Malaysia
Memorials:	Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Ballarat Australian Ex-Prisoners of War Memorial, Labuan Memorial, Labuan Federal Territory, Malaysia

World War 2 Service

27 Aug 1940:	Enlisted Australian Military Forces (WW2) , Private, NX47202
18 Feb 1941:	Embarked Australian Military Forces (WW2) , Private, NX47202, 2nd/10th Australian General Hospital
26 Mar 1941:	Transferred Australian Military Forces (WW2) , Private, 1 Field Bakery 2nd/AIF, from 2nd/10th Australian General Hospital
1 Nov 1941:	Transferred Australian Military Forces (WW2) , Private, General / Motor Transport Company/ies (WW2), 3 Reserve Motor Transport Company, 8th DIvision
14 Sep 1944:	Involvement Australian Military Forces (WW2) , Private, NX47202, General / Motor Transport Company/ies (WW2), Prisoners of War, Rakuyo Maru - Lost at sea

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Biography contributed

Albert ENGEL (1919-1944)

Albert Engel was a baker, in Sydney, when he enlisted for service in mid 1940. The Army streamed him into that trade and after intial employment training he had a succession of postings, including the 2nd/10th General Hospital, which was destined for service with the 8th Division in Malaya / Singapore.

It must have seemed like a dream posting to see what, to most Australians in those days, were tropical, exotic locations (/explore/campaigns/49), far away from the war in Europe and the Middle East, where the other three Australian Divisions had been deployed.

The dream rapidly turned to a nightmare after Japan entered the war on 7 December 1941 attacking Pearl Harbour and simulataneously launched an invasion of the Malayan (/explore/campaigns/48) Peninsula from Kota Baru. Thereafter began a fighting withdrawal for the combat elements of the 8th DIvision into the island fortress of Singapore. Full details can be found HERE (/explore/campaigns/48)

Survivors of the Garrison including Albert Engel, went into captivity after the surrender of the ALlied Garrison forces, by British Commander General Percival on 15 February 1942. The 8th Division was effectively destroyed and played no further part in combat operations for the duration of the war. For the PoW, a new nightmare had begun (/explore/campaigns/56).

The final chapter in Albert Engel's story pccurred in 1944, when PoW were selected to be sent to Japan to work in coal mines. Albert was one of the PoW assigned to transport in the Rakuyo Maru. Possessed of no markings indicating it was carrying PoW, it became 'fair game' for the Allied air surface and submarine forces interdicting Japanese sea lanes. The story of what happened is told HERE in detail. (/collections/home-page-stories/the-pow-death-ships)

Abert became one of many men lost in the aftermath.

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