Service No: VX34318
Age: 26
Regiment/Service: Australian Infantry, A.I.F. 1 Indep. Coy.
Son of A. W. and Clarice May Andrew, of Orbost, Victoria.
~
This is a memorial site. View burial and family links at ACTUAL BURIAL HERE.
∼During World War II, Pvt Andrew was part of 'Lark Force', the Australian force who were ordered to defend Rabaul from the invading Japanese forces. He was taken prisoner by the Japanese and was aboard the 'Montevideo Maru', when it was torpedoed and sunk 65 miles northwest of Cape Bojeador, Luzon, Philippines, by USS Sturgeon (U.S. Navy). It is believed the ship was not displaying any POW markings. 11 guards, 9 crewmen and all 1,157 prisoners of war/civilian internees killed. About 70 crewmen made it to Luzon where 55 were killed by Filipinos on 4 July. There was a total of 26 Japanese survivors. Some of the prisoners who were able to escape the rapidly sinking ship and it was reported that they sang 'Auld Lang Syne', as a tribute to those who were trapped inside, as the ship was sinking. Whilst there were various reports that some prisoners survived and were taken to nearby islands, all were eventually lost. The sinking is considered the worst maritime disaster in Australia's history.
There is a cenotaph erected in his honour, at the Rabaul War Cemetery and Memorial.
Age: 26
Regiment/Service: Australian Infantry, A.I.F. 1 Indep. Coy.
Son of A. W. and Clarice May Andrew, of Orbost, Victoria.
~
This is a memorial site. View burial and family links at ACTUAL BURIAL HERE.
∼During World War II, Pvt Andrew was part of 'Lark Force', the Australian force who were ordered to defend Rabaul from the invading Japanese forces. He was taken prisoner by the Japanese and was aboard the 'Montevideo Maru', when it was torpedoed and sunk 65 miles northwest of Cape Bojeador, Luzon, Philippines, by USS Sturgeon (U.S. Navy). It is believed the ship was not displaying any POW markings. 11 guards, 9 crewmen and all 1,157 prisoners of war/civilian internees killed. About 70 crewmen made it to Luzon where 55 were killed by Filipinos on 4 July. There was a total of 26 Japanese survivors. Some of the prisoners who were able to escape the rapidly sinking ship and it was reported that they sang 'Auld Lang Syne', as a tribute to those who were trapped inside, as the ship was sinking. Whilst there were various reports that some prisoners survived and were taken to nearby islands, all were eventually lost. The sinking is considered the worst maritime disaster in Australia's history.
There is a cenotaph erected in his honour, at the Rabaul War Cemetery and Memorial.
Service No: VX34318
Age: 26
Regiment/Service: Australian Infantry, A.I.F. 1 Indep. Coy.
Son of A. W. and Clarice May Andrew, of Orbost, Victoria.
~
This is a memorial site. View burial and family links at ACTUAL BURIAL HERE.
∼During World War II, Pvt Andrew was part of 'Lark Force', the Australian force who were ordered to defend Rabaul from the invading Japanese forces. He was taken prisoner by the Japanese and was aboard the 'Montevideo Maru', when it was torpedoed and sunk 65 miles northwest of Cape Bojeador, Luzon, Philippines, by USS Sturgeon (U.S. Navy). It is believed the ship was not displaying any POW markings. 11 guards, 9 crewmen and all 1,157 prisoners of war/civilian internees killed. About 70 crewmen made it to Luzon where 55 were killed by Filipinos on 4 July. There was a total of 26 Japanese survivors. Some of the prisoners who were able to escape the rapidly sinking ship and it was reported that they sang 'Auld Lang Syne', as a tribute to those who were trapped inside, as the ship was sinking. Whilst there were various reports that some prisoners survived and were taken to nearby islands, all were eventually lost. The sinking is considered the worst maritime disaster in Australia's history.
There is a cenotaph erected in his honour, at the Rabaul War Cemetery and Memorial.
Age: 26
Regiment/Service: Australian Infantry, A.I.F. 1 Indep. Coy.
Son of A. W. and Clarice May Andrew, of Orbost, Victoria.
~
This is a memorial site. View burial and family links at ACTUAL BURIAL HERE.
∼During World War II, Pvt Andrew was part of 'Lark Force', the Australian force who were ordered to defend Rabaul from the invading Japanese forces. He was taken prisoner by the Japanese and was aboard the 'Montevideo Maru', when it was torpedoed and sunk 65 miles northwest of Cape Bojeador, Luzon, Philippines, by USS Sturgeon (U.S. Navy). It is believed the ship was not displaying any POW markings. 11 guards, 9 crewmen and all 1,157 prisoners of war/civilian internees killed. About 70 crewmen made it to Luzon where 55 were killed by Filipinos on 4 July. There was a total of 26 Japanese survivors. Some of the prisoners who were able to escape the rapidly sinking ship and it was reported that they sang 'Auld Lang Syne', as a tribute to those who were trapped inside, as the ship was sinking. Whilst there were various reports that some prisoners survived and were taken to nearby islands, all were eventually lost. The sinking is considered the worst maritime disaster in Australia's history.
There is a cenotaph erected in his honour, at the Rabaul War Cemetery and Memorial.
