Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Pte Vic Nesbitt NX40390, “A” Coy, 2/18th Bn.

The 2/18th Bn had been involved in the fighting on the east coast during the successful ambush of the enemy on the Nithsdale and Joo Lye estates over the period 25th to 28th January with “A” Company holding a key position astride the main road leading south. The battalion then withdrew towards Singapore Island, It moved across the causeway to the north-west sector of the Island on 30th January 1942. Following heavy bombardment by the enemy, wave after wave of Japanese troops were landing in the Australian sector by midnight on 8th February. The 2/18th was occupying a position in Bulim village over the night 9th /10th February. On the morning of the 10th orders were received from Brigade for the Battalion to occupy a defensive position astride Reformatory Road, and they withdrew to the 11-mile stone on Koa Chu Kang Road

Vic Nesbitt was reported missing on 10th February and subsequently was reported sometime after the 15th February as having been Captured by the Japs, to be further reported as Executed on that same day in the vicinity of the Tengah drome.

The bare details of Nesbitt’s fate were reported by Pte S.B. Halliday NX40480. Halliday suffered severe shrapnel wounds on 11th February and became a Prisoner of War on 15th February. He came from “Wollahra”, Inverell.
From Michael Nesbitt