Michael David (Mick) GRACE

GRACE, Michael David

Service Number: NX32767
Enlisted: 18 June 1940, Paddington, NSW, Australia
Last Rank: Corporal
Last Unit: 2nd/10th Australian General Hospital
Born: Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 14 June 1903
Home Town: Darlinghurst, City of Sydney, New South Wales
Schooling: Not yet discovered
Occupation: Cook
Died: Prisoner of War - Executed, Malaya, Singapore, 17 March 1942, aged 38 years
Cemetery: Kranji War Cemetery
Coll. grave 32. D. 1-8.
Memorials: Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Ballarat Australian Ex-Prisoners of War Memorial
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World War 2 Service

18 Jun 1940: Enlisted Australian Military Forces (WW2) , Corporal, NX32767, General Hospitals - WW2
18 Jun 1940: Enlisted Australian Military Forces (WW2) , Private, NX32767, 1st Australian Army Service Corps Company , Paddington, NSW, Australia
24 Jun 1940: Involvement Australian Military Forces (WW2) , Private, NX32767, 2nd/5th Infantry Battalion , (NAA, Pg-5)
29 Jul 1940: Involvement Australian Military Forces (WW2) , Private, NX32767, 2nd/20th Infantry Battalion, Malaya/Singapore, (NAA, Pg's-5, 6)
14 Nov 1940: Promoted Australian Military Forces (WW2) , Corporal, 2nd/20th Infantry Battalion, Promoted (specifically): 14/11/1940, [A/Cpl], Acting Corporal. (NAA, Pg-5).
15 Feb 1941: Promoted Australian Military Forces (WW2) , Corporal, 2nd/20th Infantry Battalion, (NAA, Pg-10)
18 Feb 1941: Embarked Australian Military Forces (WW2) , Corporal, NX32767, 2nd/20th Infantry Battalion, Embarked Ship: 18/02/1941, [HMT Q.M] HMT Queen Mary. Rank (Specifically): Acting Corporal. (NAA, Pg-5).
3 May 1941: Involvement Australian Military Forces (WW2) , Corporal, NX32767, 2nd/10th Australian General Hospital, Malaya/Singapore, (NAA, Pg-6, 11)
15 Feb 1942: Imprisoned Malaya/Singapore, (NAA, Pg's-10, 11)

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Biography contributed by Robert Kearney

Corporal Michael Grace was awarded the Commendation for Gallantry for actions following capture by the Imperial Japanese Army on 15 February 1942 until his execution as a result of an escape attempt on 17 March 1942. On or around 16 March 1942, Corporal Grace and five other men escaped Changi Prison Complex, stole a boat but were recaptured by Japanese forces while wading ashore on the Malay side of the Johor Strait. Corporal Grace and the other five men, who were also awarded a Commendation for Gallantry, were subsequently sentenced to death and executed on 17 March 1942. - Defence Honours and Awards 

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