Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Len was born and grew up in Yarraville, Victoria to Lilian and Albert Maurice Schutt. He was the 4th of six children, having 4 brothers and 1 sister. He was also good mates with his cousin, Eric. Before enlisting, Len worked at Schutt and Barrie Produce Company on Geelong Rd in West Footscray.

At 21 years of age, Len enlisted in the AIF. In February, 1941, Len was posted to Malaya, travelling on the Queen Mary. His company was the 10th Recovery Unit, which was later renamed the 22 Independent Brigade Group Ordnance Unit.

Len was a great letter writer, and wrote many letters to those he cared about back home. The letters that survive tell of Len’s interest in sports, particularly boxing and football. He enjoyed at least one game of soccer against a local Malayan team, Len was a keen boxer, winning a cup, which he sent back home to his brother, Ron. He spent many hours playing cards with his unit mates when off duty.

Len often wrote about looking forward to coming home. With the surrender in Singapore, Len became a prisoner of war. He was sent to Sandakan in July 1942 as part of the labour force to build an airfield for the Japanese Army. Conditions at this camp became horrific over the next 3 years, culminating in the forced marches of starving, sick and weakened men through tropical jungle tracks. Len never came home. He was sent on the first Death March in early 1945 and died after reaching the final camp at Ranau. RIP, Len. You are still remembered.