O'DEA, James
| Service Numbers: | VX30826, NX77958 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 7 June 1940 |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 2nd/20th Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia, 26 September 1912 |
| Home Town: | Swan Bay, Richmond Valley, New South Wales |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Labourer |
| Died: | Prisoner of War - Executed, Malaya, Singapore, 17 March 1942, aged 29 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 |
World War 2 Service
| 7 Jun 1940: | Enlisted Australian Military Forces (Army WW2), Private, VX30826 |
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World War 1 Service
| 11 Dec 1941: | Enlisted Private, NX77958, 2nd/20th Infantry Battalion |
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World War 2 Service
| 11 Dec 1941: | Enlisted Australian Military Forces (Army WW2), Private, NX77958, 2nd/20th Infantry Battalion | |
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| 17 Mar 1942: | Involvement Private, NX77958, 2nd/20th Infantry Battalion |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by Sharyn Roberts
The awarding of the Commendation for Gallantry to 28 servicemen who were killed while escaping or following recapture during World War II has been approved by the Governor-General, His Excellency General the Honourable Sir Peter Cosgrove AK MC (Retd).
Private James O’Dea is being 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, PTE O’Dea 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. PTE O’Dea and the other five men, who are also being awarded a Commendation for Gallantry, were subsequently sentenced to death and executed on 17 March 1942.
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