Welcome
Welcome to the 2/4th story! This memorial is in recognition of all the men of our Western Australian raised Battalion.
Please enjoy your journey down memory lane! You will observe and enjoy the eagerness of young men going to war and then read of deaths, tragedies and triumphs that followed the surrender of the Allied troops in Singapore 15th February 1942.
The transfer of data/information contained on this site has been undertaken by a small team (who have worked extensive hours!) – no doubt there will be errors!
We would like you to provide us feedback and please advise us of any errors.
The official launch of the 2/4th Memorial was held Saturday 18th March 2017 at the Fremantle Military Museum. We had not anticipated such a positive response of more than 250 people. We thank the families and friends who attended. It was our privilege to have our work appreciated and recognised.
This project would not have been possible without “Colour Patch” and the generosity of author Murray Ewen who has provided us with much of his research. (Copies of “Colour Patch” are available for purchase, please contact us).
Thank you Murray!
We have been successful in acquiring a grant from DVA, the money providing the opportunity to complete our initial plan. There will be continuing changes and growth.
We do however, rely on your generous donations to ensure this historical website will continue for our families and generations to come.
We are very proud of the 2/4th Machine Gun Battalion and know you will be as excited and proud as we are.
Please search through your family collections for photographs, memorabilia and put together the family stories that have been handed down. This memorial provides an opportunity for copies of your family history to be safely recorded for future generations to access, learn and share. This website can only record the history you provide us. The State Library today carries our website and will continue to do so as valuable Western Australian history.
(Please note we do not have storage facilities to keep original copies. If you do not have access to scanning please contact us so that we can arrange a visit or otherwise.)
This website is for future generations so they may learn about their family’s soldier, whether great grandfathers and great great uncles. The cost of war on the small communities and towns of Western Australia which in1940 had a population of 466,686 ( total Australian population was 7,014,495) was immeasurable.
The surviving former POWs mostly returned physically and mentally damaged or broken. PSTD which accompanied nearly every surviving former POW of Japan is today recognised but tragically throughout their lives remained untreated. The affects on their children and later generations is rarely talked about or has been medically/scientifically investigated.
As children and grandchildren we recognise the ongoing affects of PSTD has had on our lives and often our children’s lives.