Frederick Walter Lota (Boof) MARSH MID

MARSH, Frederick Walter Lota

Service Number: B3666
Enlisted: 15 May 1942
Last Rank: Able Seaman
Last Unit: HMAS Leeuwin
Born: Brisbane, Queensland, Australia, 20 January 1924
Home Town: Brisbane, Brisbane, Queensland
Schooling: Mitchelton State Primary School
Occupation: Not yet discovered
Died: Died whilst a prisoner of the Japanese, Singapore, 1 February 1945, aged 21 years
Cemetery: No known grave - "Known Unto God"
Plymouth Naval Memorial, Plymouth, Devon, England, United Kingdom
Memorials: Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Ballarat Australian Ex-Prisoners of War Memorial, Exmouth Krait - Operation Jaywick Memorial, Kangaroo Point H.M.A.S. Moreton Honour Roll
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World War 2 Service

15 May 1942: Enlisted Royal Australian Navy, Able Seaman, B3666
1 Feb 1945: Involvement Royal Australian Navy, Able Seaman, B3666, HMAS Leeuwin

Help us honour Frederick Walter Lota Marsh's service by contributing information, stories, and images so that they can be preserved for future generations.

Biography contributed by Kym Hyson

Fred "Moosha" Marsh was born on the 20th January, 1924.  He lived in one of the early dwellings in June Street, Mitchelton and attended Mitchelton State Primary School from 1929.

He excelled in field sports such as soccer and hockey and was a founding member of the Mitchelton Youth Club.  Fred was popular at school and in the community and made many friends, some of whom presented a tribute in 1996.

On 15th May, 1942 Fred Marsh joined the R.A.N. Reserve, H.M.A.S. MORETON then transferred to H.M.A.S. LONSDALE.  He volunteered and was selected for Special Duties Training and posted to Special Reconnaissance Department (S.R.D.).  He became a member of Z SPECIAL FORCE raids on the Japanese in Singapore - "Jaywick" 1943 "Krait". (Successful) and "Rimau" 1944 (no survivors).

Fred was awarded the distinction "Mentioned in Despatches for Gallantry, Skill and Devotion to Duty in Hazardous Enterprise".

Frederick Marsh died of illness as a Prisoner of War in Singapore on the 1st February, 1945.

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