SHELTON, George Tom
| Service Number: | WX7623 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 10 August 1940 |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 2nd/4th Machine Gun Battalion |
| Born: | London, England, United Kingdom , 23 October 1918 |
| Home Town: | Busselton, Western Australia |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Unemployed |
| Died: | Pneumonia and Beri‐Beri whilst a prisoner of the Japanese, Thailand, 7 September 1943, aged 24 years |
| Cemetery: |
Kanchanaburi War Cemetery Burial reference: - Plot 1. Row L. Grave 71. Personal Inscription: - "YOUR DUTY NOW IS DONE...SLEEP ON BELOVED SON". |
| Memorials: | Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Ballarat Australian Ex-Prisoners of War Memorial, Busselton Cenotaph Victoria Square, Busselton Rotary Park Of Remembrance War Memorial |
World War 2 Service
| 3 Sep 1939: | Involvement Private, WX7623, 2nd/4th Machine Gun Battalion | |
|---|---|---|
| 10 Aug 1940: | Enlisted Australian Military Forces (WW2) , Private, WX7623 |
WX76323
Shelton was born England 1918 to George Tom Emmanuel Shelton and Alice Hilda Carvey. He arrived Albany from England 4 June 1924 on board 'Demonthenes' with his family who took up land with Group Settlement 124 Forest, Sussex. The family later moved to Busselton.
He enlisted AIF 30 Oct 1940 and later joined 2/4th MGB.
2/4th MGB was sent to Singapore, joining the ill-fated 8th Division. He was wounded in action 1800 hours 15 Feb just hours before surrender, admitted to 2/10th AGH with shrapnel wound to his left temple. Discharged to unit 22 Feb 1942. One week after fighting on 15 Feb 1942 every soldier was taken POW of Japan.
Shelton left Singapore rail station with 'H' Force Thailand to work on the Burma-Thai Railwayand several months later died of post pneumonia and beri beri at Malayan Hamlet Camp, aged 24 years.
Submitted 3 August 2021 by Cheryl Mellor
Biography contributed by Dianne Black
George Tom “Tommy” Shelton and family arrived from London aboard the ‘Demethenis’ at Albany, Western Australia on the 4th June 1924. His father George Tom Emmanuel Shelton and Avis Hilda Carvey were married 23rd December 1919, Barnsbury St Clement, England. This union produced three children, Nettie, (daughter), George Tom, and Avis (daughter). Birth records indicate Tommy Shelton was apparently born in 1920 not 1918 as stated on his Attestation Form, this was not uncommon for dates of birth to be changed to enhanced the chances of recruitment and service over seas. The Shelton family by 1936, had moved to Busselton.
George Tom “Tommy” Shelton enlisted on 10th August 1940 in Claremont, Western Australia and after basic training was taken on strength (31st October 1941) with the 2nd/4th Machine Gun Battalion ‘D’ Company No. 15 Platoon. On the 24th January 1942 the 2nd/4th Machine Gun Battalion disembarked at Singapore.
Private George Tom Shelton was wounded in action at 1800 hours on 15th February 1942 in the final stages of the "Battle of Singapore" he was admitted to 2/10th Australian General Hospital with a shrapnel wound to the left temple and discharged back to his unit on 23rd February 1942.
At this time (15th February 1942) it was confirmed he was now a prisoner of war held by Japanese Imperial Forces. He was selected to work on the Burma-Thai Railway. Tragically 3 years and 28 days after enlistment, Tommy died of pneumonia and beri‐beri at Kanu II (PoW) camp, Malayan Hamlet, Thailand and was interred in Grave No. 80, Malayan Hamlet, Cemetery. On the 25th March 1946 he was reburied at Kanchanaburi War Cemetery. Personal Inscription - (YOUR DUTY NOW IS DONE...SLEEP ON BELOVED SON ).
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