When my father-in-law was recruited into the Army in 1941 they were raising the Australian 8th Division. He ended up in the the 2/26 Bn HQ Coy as a signaller. As we know the 8th Division ended up being deployed to Singapore where he was taken as a POW and spent the rest of the war in Changi prison.
He survived of course but from what my wife has said of him (sadly he died very young) he suffered greatly from survivor guilt. So many of his friends didn't make it home.
Also at Singapore at the same time was my Great Aunt. She was a Nursing Officer with the Indian forces there. She helped manage the evacuation of the wounded out of Singapore as it was under attack. For bravery under fire she was awarded the Imperial Royal Red Cross Medal.
She was awarded it a second time whilst serving in Burma under the command of General Slim.
He survived of course but from what my wife has said of him (sadly he died very young) he suffered greatly from survivor guilt. So many of his friends didn't make it home.
Also at Singapore at the same time was my Great Aunt. She was a Nursing Officer with the Indian forces there. She helped manage the evacuation of the wounded out of Singapore as it was under attack. For bravery under fire she was awarded the Imperial Royal Red Cross Medal.
She was awarded it a second time whilst serving in Burma under the command of General Slim.