OESTREICH, Eric William
| Service Number: | QX16526 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 28 July 1940 |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 2nd/26th Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Toowoomba, Queensland, Australia , 24 July 1918 |
| Home Town: | Toowoomba, Toowoomba, Queensland |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Gardener |
| Died: | Killed in Action, Malaya, 9 February 1942, aged 23 years |
| Cemetery: |
No known grave - "Known Unto God" Singapore Memorial, Singapore Col 128 |
| Memorials: | Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Singapore Memorial, Toowoomba Roll of Honour WW2, Toowoomba St. James' Roll of Honour, Toowoomba WW2 Roll of Honour Book, Toowoomba War Memorial (Mothers' Memorial) |
World War 2 Service
| 3 Sep 1939: | Involvement Private, QX16526 | |
|---|---|---|
| 28 Jul 1940: | Enlisted | |
| 28 Jul 1940: | Enlisted Australian Military Forces (WW2) , Private, QX16526, 2nd/26th Infantry Battalion | |
| 9 Feb 1942: | Involvement |
Researched by William Stuart
Final Service Timeline: Private Eric William Oestreich (QX16526)
Private Eric William Oestreich was an infantry soldier in the Australian Imperial Force (A.I.F.) who was killed in action during the final days of the Malayan Campaign and the Battle of Singapore.
Early Life and Enlistment (1918–1941)
• Eric William Oestreich was born on July 24, 1918, in Toowoomba, Queensland, Australia.
• He enlisted in the Australian Military Forces (2nd AIF) on July 28, 1940.
• He received the service number QX16526, indicating enlistment in Queensland.
• He was posted to the 2/26th Australian Infantry Battalion (AIF).
• Sept 1 – 10, 1941: He was with the 2/26th Battalion while it was carrying out routine training ("Gen Routine. Tng as per Syllabus") at Nayvatt Camp, Changi, Singapore.
World War II – Malayan Campaign and Death (1941–1942)
• Dec 31, 1941: The unit, located at HD Rota Tinggi / Jemaluang, was placed on alert after reports of Japanese soldiers were sighted by civilians, and patrols were sent out.
• Feb 8, 1942 (Day Before Death): The 2/26th Battalion suffered its first high-level bombing attack on its headquarters, resulting in casualties. Intensive enemy shelling on forward companies occurred throughout the evening.
• February 9, 1942 (Killed in Action): His unit was subjected to an "exceedingly heavy barrage" and continuous shelling. Private Eric William Oestreich was Killed in Action in the Kranji Sector, Singapore, during this battle. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Singapore Memorial.
• Feb 10, 1942: The unit was ordered to withdraw and re-establish a defensive line after the severe action.
• February 15, 1942 (Unit Surrenders): The entire remaining strength of the 2/26th Battalion was forced to surrender with the Fall of Singapore, resulting in the men becoming Prisoners of War (POWs).
Post-Death Administration (1945–1951)
• April 5, 1945: His next-of-kin, Mrs. E.A. Oestreich of Toowoomba, signed a receipt for the Female Relative's Badge.
• Dec 10, 1951: His service medals were officially dispatched to his next-of-kin. His entitlement was confirmed as the Pacific Star, Defence Medal, War Medal, and A.S.M. (Australian Service Medal). He was confirmed as DECEASED on the award form.
Submitted 5 October 2025 by Jonathon Stuart
Biography contributed by Jonathon Stuart
Final Service Timeline: Private Eric William Oestreich (QX16526)
Private Eric William Oestreich was an infantry soldier in the Australian Imperial Force (A.I.F.) who was killed in action during the final days of the Malayan Campaign and the Battle of Singapore.
Early Life and Enlistment (1918–1941)
• Eric William Oestreich was born on July 24, 1918, in Toowoomba, Queensland, Australia.
• He enlisted in the Australian Military Forces (2nd AIF) on July 28, 1940.
• He received the service number QX16526, indicating enlistment in Queensland.
• He was posted to the 2/26th Australian Infantry Battalion (AIF).
• Sept 1 – 10, 1941: He was with the 2/26th Battalion while it was carrying out routine training ("Gen Routine. Tng as per Syllabus") at Nayvatt Camp, Changi, Singapore.
World War II – Malayan Campaign and Death (1941–1942)
• Dec 31, 1941: The unit, located at HD Rota Tinggi / Jemaluang, was placed on alert after reports of Japanese soldiers were sighted by civilians, and patrols were sent out.
• Feb 8, 1942 (Day Before Death): The 2/26th Battalion suffered its first high-level bombing attack on its headquarters, resulting in casualties. Intensive enemy shelling on forward companies occurred throughout the evening.
• February 9, 1942 (Killed in Action): His unit was subjected to an "exceedingly heavy barrage" and continuous shelling. Private Eric William Oestreich was Killed in Action in the Kranji Sector, Singapore, during this battle. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Singapore Memorial.
• Feb 10, 1942: The unit was ordered to withdraw and re-establish a defensive line after the severe action.
• February 15, 1942 (Unit Surrenders): The entire remaining strength of the 2/26th Battalion was forced to surrender with the Fall of Singapore, resulting in the men becoming Prisoners of War (POWs).
Post-Death Administration (1945–1951)
• April 5, 1945: His next-of-kin, Mrs. E.A. Oestreich of Toowoomba, signed a receipt for the Female Relative's Badge.
• Dec 10, 1951: His service medals were officially dispatched to his next-of-kin. His entitlement was confirmed as the Pacific Star, Defence Medal, War Medal, and A.S.M. (Australian Service Medal). He was confirmed as DECEASED on the award form.
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