No.5933545, Private, Arthur William BALDWIN
Aged 25
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William Arthur Baldwin was born on 1st February 1919 in Dullingham (Newmarket Q1-1919 3B:580), son of Joseph and Elizabeth Mary BALDWIN (née STARVIS).
In the 1939 register his father [21-8-1878] a farmer; mother [21-5-1876] brother Herbert [26-8-1912] a horsekeeper; sister Vera [14-6-1921] later CLAYDON and aunt Hannah STARVIS [16-9-1881] retired waitress, were at Tilbrooks Farm, Station Road, Dullingham. Also there were his sisters Gladys MOULE [2-7-1916] married (a domestic help) and Priscilla HOUSDEN [30-8-1910] married (household duties) |
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Captured at the fall of Singapore by the Japanese on 15th February 1942, Arthur was lost in one of the infamous "Hellships" transporting allied prisoners to the Japanese mainland On 21st September 1944 the Hofuku Maru [KA-27] sailed with Convoy MATA-27 for Takao in Formosa. She was attacked by an American aircraft carrier about 80 miles north of Corregidor, the aircraft carrier's planes sunk the whole fleet including the Hofuku Maru, not knowing she carried prisoners locked in the holds. The Hofuku Maru was carrying 1289 prisoners from Manila to Japan, 1047 were lost. |
From the last entries here we see the details of the sinking in which he died.
(the year is the regnal year of Emperor Hirohito)
click here to go to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website for full cemetery/memorial details
