NX71902
Private Jeffrey Norman Shelley POW
AKA Norman Geoffrey Shelley
1st Company, Army Service Corps
22nd Brigade, 1st Division
2nd Australian A.I.F.
This file last updated
18 February, 2025 11:45
Introduction
Norman Geoffrey Shelley is born in BOOROWA, NSW on 20 Oct 1919 [NSW BDM 44400/1919]
the youngest of five children born to William Charles Shelley and Lillian (known
as Lily).
His siblings are Eileen T. [NSW BDM 14032/1911], John Charles [NSW BDM 4014491/1912],
Faith [NSW BDM 43343/1915], and Lily [NSW BDM 10414/1918].
He enlists in the 2nd AIF on 24 Jan 1941 at NARRABRI, NSW, giving his
occupation as truck driver, date of birth as 20 Oct 1917 and his name
as Jeffrey Norman Shelley. Both of the latter facts are wrong.
Jeffrey was already 21 years and three months old at the time of his enlistment, so
there was no obvious need for him to wrongly report his date of birth. Perhaps he was
just making sure. As to the reversal and mispelling of his name, we can only surmise
that he was known in the family as Jeff and took it to be Jeffrey and not Geoffrey.
He had probably never seen his birth certificate. Mispellings and name reversals in
early birth registrations are quite common.
He is posted to the Eastern Command (NSW) Training Depot of the Australian Army
Service Corps Training Depot in GOULBURN some two months after his enlistment, and,
assigned to No 1 Company Australian Service Corps, 1st Division as a reinforcement, he
embarks for SINGAPORE from SYDNEY on 29 Jul 1941.
He disembarks in SINGAPORE on 16 Aug 1941 and arrives in JOHORE BHARU on
the same day.
Jefferey is in hospital when the the SINGAPORE Garrison surrenders on 15 Feb 1942.
He is assigned to join B Force, a cadre of Prisoners of War totalling 1,496. 145 are
officers and medical staff. On 8 Jul 1942 B Force embarks on Imperial Japanese
Army (IJA) ship UNI MARU [alternatively YUBI MARU] which has a rough 9 day trip to north
BORNEO and disembarks at SANDAKAN on 17 Jul 1942.
About 30 Jul 1942 he escapes from SANDAKAN POW CAMP with 3 other members of No 1 Coy ASC:
NX72445 Private Edward Ambrose Allen; SX13760 Murray Edgar Jacka; and VX23670 Private Thomas
Ignatious Harrington.
They strike out 19 kilometers north-west through rubber plantations and jungle, but the
manager of the British Borneo Timber Company, afraid of reprisals, turns them in to the
IJA.
The escapees are confined in SANDAKAN for about six weeks before being transferred by sea
to KUCHING where they are kept in close confinement - wire cages - by
the Kempai-tai, Japanese Military Police who are trained in interrogation mmethods which
were particularly brutal.
Brought to trial in KUCHING, all are found guilty and sentenced to four or five years of
solitary confinement to be served in OUTRAM ROAD GOAL, SINGAPORE.
Harrington remains in KUCHING as he is not fit to travel. He dies in KUCHING on 15 Dec 1942
from the the effects of beri-beri and is buried there.
Jeffrey Shelley arrives in SINGAPORE on 12 Jan 1943 and is transferred to OUTRAM ROAD GOAL.
He is transferred to the POW Camp Hospital, CHANGI PRISON for treatment on 28 Sep 1943
and returned to OUTRAM ROAD GOAL on 15 Nov 1943.
Again transferred for treatment in CHANGI PRISON on 25 Oct 1944 he dies of illness -
Malnutrition, Acute Bacillary Dysentery and Broncho Pneumonia on 29 Oct 1944.
He is buried in KRANJI WAR CEMETERY, SINGAPORE reference 2.B.17 as a member of the 1st Company,
Australian Army Service Corps attached to the A.I.F. 22nd Brigade.
See Driver Jeffrey Norman Shelley's:
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1. What is your name?
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1. Surname SHELLEY
Other Names Jeffrey Norman
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2. Where were you born?
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2. In or near the town of Boorowa in the state or country of NSW
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3. Are you a natural born or a naturalised British Subject? If the latter papers to be produced.
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3. Natural Born
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4. What is your age and date of birth
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4. Age 23 years & 3/12 months
Date of Birth 20 Oct 1917
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5. What is your trade or occupation
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5. Lorry Driver
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6. Are you married, single or widower?
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6. Single
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7. Give details of previous military service —
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7. AMF
No ............NIL.............Rank ........ .......Unit ..
Other Military Service ........NIL......................
No ...............Rank .......NIL..........Unit ................
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8. If now serving, give particulars
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8. No ...........Rank .......NIL..........Unit ...................................
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9. Who is your actual next of kin? (Order of relationship.— wife, eldest son, eldest daughter, father, mother, eldest brother, eldest sister, eldest half-brother, eldest half-sister)
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9. Name William Charles Shelley
Address Monteagle Via Young
Relationship Father
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10. What is your permanent address?
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10. Marsden St., Boorowa N.S.W.
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11. What is your religious denomination?
(Answer optional)
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11. C of E
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Witnessed by ......................Illegible....Capt................................ ...................J N Shelley...................................
(Signature of Attesting or Witnessing Officer)
(Signature)
* The person will be warned that should he give false answers to any of these questions he will be liable to heavy penalties under the Defence Act.
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Date
Reported
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Received
From
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Event/Casualty
Medical Other Disciplinary
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Date of
Occurence
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Place of
Occurence
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25 Mar 1941
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Paddington
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Enlisted.
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25 Jan 1941
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SYDNEY
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26 Mar 1941
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To Gen Details Depot
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Marched in to General Details Depot
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26 Mar 1941
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CANTERBURY
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27 Mar 1941
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EC AASC Trg Depot
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Marched out to EC AASC Trg Depot
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27 Mar 1941
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CANTERBURY
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31 Mar 1941
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EC AASC Trg Depot
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Taken on strength of EC AASC Trg Depot
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27 Mar 1941
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INGLEBURN
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18 Jun 1941
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CO EC AASC Trg Depot
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A.W.L. from 0700 hours 7 Jun 1941 to 0700 ours 11 Jun 1941
Award: Fined £2-0-0 [$4] 7 days C.B.
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7 Jun 1941
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INGLEBURN
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22 Jul 41
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CO EC AASC TD
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A.W.L. from 9 Jul 1941 to 1500 hours 9 Jul 1941
Award: Fined 5/- [50 cents], 4 days C.B.
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9 Jul 1941
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INGLEBURN
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29 Jul 1941
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DRO EC
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Embarked per HMT "FF" [Coded ship name] for SINGAPORE
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29 Jul 1941
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SYDNEY
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8 Sep 1941
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DO 2/704
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Disembarked EX HMT "FF".
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16 Aug 1941
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SINGAPORE
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8 Sep 1941
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GBD 2/704
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Marched in Ex HMT "FF"
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16 Aug 1941
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JOHORE
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2 Sep 1941
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GBD
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OFFENCE: A.W.L. from 2200 hrs 24 Aug 1941 to 0600 hrs 25 Aug 1941, total 8 hrs
AWARD: Fined 10/- [$A1] by LT CO W.D. Yeats 27 Aug 1941
A.A15(1) DO 1296
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24 Aug 1941
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JOHORE
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4 Oct 1941
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No 1 Coy ASC
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T.O.S. Ex No 1 Coy ASC Rfts to G.B.Dep
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4 Sep 1941
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ABROAD
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25 Oct 1941
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No 1 Coy A.S.C
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To 4 CCS NYD
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25 Oct 1941
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ABROAD
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22 Nov 1941
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No 1 Coy ASC
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Td 10 AGH Ex 4 CCS Post Appendectomy
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18 Nov 1941
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ABROAD
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29 Nov 1941
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No 1 Coy ASC
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Tfd [to] 2 CD ex 10 AGH
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26 Nov 1941
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ABROAD
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6 Dec 1941
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No 1 Coy ASC
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To 10 AGH Ex 2 CD.
Gastric Neurosis.
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3 Dec 1941
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ABROAD
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13 Dec 1941
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No 1 ASC
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Transfered to 2 C.D. ex 10 AGH
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8 Dec 1941
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ABROAD
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13 Dec 1941
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No 1 Coy ASC
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Transfered GBD ex 2 C.D.
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12 Dec 1941
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ABROAD
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18 Dec 1941
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GBD
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M/in Ex 2 C.D. and S/off X List
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12 Dec 1941
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ABROAD
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20 Dec 1941
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No 1 Coy ASC
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TOS Rfts No 1 Coy ASC to GBD
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19 Dec 1941
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ABROAD
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26 Dec 1941
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GBD
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M/out to No 1 Coy ASC
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19 Dec 1941
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MALAYA
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13 Apr 1942
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2 Div (Aust)
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Missing
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16 Feb 1942
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Malaya
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23 Nov 1943
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Prisoner of War, CHANGI, SINGAPORE
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16 Feb 1942
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MALAYA
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8 Jul 1942
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POW CHANGI
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Assigned to B Force, sailed from SINGAPORE in UNI MARU.
B Force comprised 1,496 POW including 145 offices and medical staff. It
was commanded by Lieutenant Colonel A.W. Walsh, CO 2nd 10th Field
Regiment
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8 Jul 1942
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POW MALAYA
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17 Jul 1942
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POW SANDAKAN
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After 9 days, disembarks at SANDAKAN peninsular (now the MALAYSIAN state of SABAH in NE BORNEO)
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17 Jul 1942
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SANDAKAN, N BORNEO
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Abt 30 Jul 1942
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POW SANDAKAN
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Escapes with 3 members of No 1 Coy ASC
NX72445 Private Edward Ambrose Allen;
SX13760 Murray Edgar Jacka; and
VX23670 Private Thomas Ignatious Harrington.
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Abt 30 Jul
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N BORNEO
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8 Aug 1942
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POW SANDAKAN
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The group are recaptured and confined there for six weeks
before being transferred by sea to KUCHING with two other
escapees from 1 Coy ASC. Here they are kept in close
confinement in wire cages and interrogated by the Kempei-tai
- Japanese Military Police trained in interrogation methods
which were particularly brutal.
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Abt mid Sep
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N BORNEO
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25 Oct 1942
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POW
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Brought to trial in KUCHING. All found guilty of escaping
from captivity and each sentenced to four or five years
of solitary confinement to be served in OUTRAM ROAD GAOL,
SINGAPORE
Pte Harrington remains in Kuching as he is not fit to travel,
dies from the effects of beri-beri on 15 Dec 1942
and is buried in KUCHING.
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25 Oct 1942
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BORNEO
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12 Jan 1943
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POW
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Arrives in Singapore and is transferred to OUTRAM ROAD GAOL
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12 Jan 1943
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SINGAPORE
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28 Sep 1943
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POW
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Transferred to POW Camp Hospital, CHANGI PRISON for treatment
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28 Sep 1943
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SINGAPORE
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15 Nov 1943
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POW
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Transfered from POW Camp Hospital, CHANGI PRISON to OUTRAM ROAD GOAL
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15 Nov 1943
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SINGAPORE
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25 Oct 1944
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POW
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Transfered to POW Camp Hospital, CHANGI PRISON for treatment
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25 Oct 1944
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SINGAPORE
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29 Oct 1944
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POW
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Dies of Illness whilst POW - Malnutrition, Acute Bacillary Dysentery, Broncho Pneumonia
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29 OCT 1944
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SINGAPORE
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Use the hyperlinks or scroll down to see further information.
UNIT COLOUR PATCH
1st DIVISION 2nd AIF
The role of the Service Corps is to provide transport and provision of
supplies other than machinery or ammunition, but including mail and rations,
as well as moving troops. The Service Corps worked in conjunction with
Medical, Ordnance, Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, Military Police who
provided services to 'Arms' units. These combat corps are Infantry,
Cavalry/Armoured, Engineers and Signals (to which were added Aviation and
Intelligence post-war).
In MALAYA and SINGAPORE during a fighting retreat the members of the Corps
were in very close proximity with the Infantry, particularly during the
evacuation of wounded. At times they were cut off from direct access to the
units behind them and the vehicles, heavy machinery and supplies were burned
to keep them from the enemy and the drivers simply became more infantrymen.
The 1939-45 Star is awarded for service between 3 September 1939 and 2 September 1945 for:
- a period of six months (180 days) operational service for RAN and Army personnel and RAAF non-air crew personnel;
- a period of two months operational service for air crew personnel; and/or
- a period of six months service at sea for Merchant Navy provided at least one voyage was made through one of the specified areas of active operations;
The 1939-45 Star is awarded to Australian Civilian Personnel who served afloat with the United States
Army Small Ships Section between 8 December 1941 and 2 September 1945. Eligibility is the same as that
for Merchant Navy personnel. See required evidence to support a claim.
Design
The six–pointed star is yellow copper zinc alloy. The obverse has a central design of the Royal and Imperial
cypher, surmounted by a crown. The cypher is surrounded by a circlet containing the words "The 1939-45 Star".
Stars issued to Australian personnel have recipient names engraved on the plain reverse.
Ribbon
The ribbon has three vertical stripes of dark blue, red and light blue. The dark blue stripe
represents the Naval Forces and the Merchant Navy, the red stripe the Armies and the light blue
stripe the Air Forces.
Clasps
The "BATTLE OF BRITAIN" clasp was awarded to eligible air crew involved in the Battle of Britain.
The "BOMBER COMMAND" clasp was introduced in 2012 and is awarded to eligible Bomber Command aircrew.
When the ribbon is worn alone the standard silver rosette ribbon emblem is worn to denote the award of a clasp.
The silver rosette emblem is not supplied by the Directorate of Honours and Awards.
The Pacific Star is awarded for entry into operational service in the Pacific Theatre of Operations between 8 December 1941 and 2 September 1945.
Navy and Merchant Navy personnel are eligible if the 1939-45 Star is earned by six months service or if they entered the
Pacific Theatre between 2 March 1945 and 2 September 1945.
The Pacific Star is awarded to Australian Civilian Personnel who served afloat with the United States Army Small Ships Section.
Eligibility is the same as that for Merchant Navy personnel. See required evidence to support a claim.
Design
The six–pointed star is yellow copper zinc alloy. The obverse has a central design of the Royal and Imperial cypher, surmounted by
a crown. The cypher is surrounded by a circlet containing the words 'The Pacific Star'.
Stars issued to Australian personnel have recipient names engraved on the plain reverse.
Ribbon
The ribbon has central yellow and green stripes that represent the forests and the beaches of the Pacific, flanked dark blue, light
blue and red stripes that represent the service of the Naval Forces and Merchant Navy, the Air Forces and the Armies.
Clasp
The Burma clasp was issued for the Pacific Star.
When the ribbon is worn alone a silver rosette ribbon emblem is worn to denote the award of a clasp.
The Defence Medal is awarded for six months service in a prescribed non-operational area subject to enemy air
attack or closely threatened, in Australia and overseas, or for 12 months service in non-prescribed non-operational areas.
Within Australia the area is the Northern Territory, north of 14 degrees 30 minutes south, and the Torres Strait Islands
between 3 September 1939 and 2 September 1945.
Overseas service includes the Middle East, east of the Suez Canal (less the period of the Syrian Campaign) or Malaya prior to
the Japanese invasion on 8 December 1941.
Design
The medal is cupro-nickel, with the uncrowned effigy of King George VI on the obverse.
The reverse has a conventional oak tree centrally, with a crown above, with two lions counter rampart as supporters
between the dates 1939 and 1945. The base of the medal reverse has the words ‘THE DEFENCE MEDAL’.
Ribbon
The ribbon is orange with green outer stripes, each green stripe having a black pin-stripe running down the centre.
The green represents the Islands of the United Kingdom, the orange represents enemy attacks, and the black represents the black outs.
Attribution
The above information was taken from the Defence Honours site at http://www.defence.gov.au/Medals/Imperial/WWII/Defence-Medal.asp on 19 Jun 2019.
[Extract from Defence Honours and Awards website -Imperial Awards
The medal is cupro-nickel with the crowned effigy of King George VI on the obverse.
The reverse has a lion standing on a double-headed dragon. The top of the reverse shows the dates 1939 and 1945.
The rim is plain, and the medal hangs from a suspender. The ribbon colours of red, white and blue represent the colours of the Union Flag.
The War Medal 1939-45 was awarded for 28 days full-time service in the Armed Forces between 3 September 1939 and 2 September 1945. Operational and non-operational service may be counted, providing that it was of 28 days or more duration.
In the Merchant Navy there is a requirement that the 28 days should have been served at sea.
A member qualifies for the award where service was brought to an end by death, wounds or other disabilities due to service or by cessation of hostilities on 2 September 1945.
The War Medal 1939-45 is awarded to Australian Civilian Personnel who served afloat with the United States Army Small Ships Section between 8 December 1941 and 2 September 1945. Eligibility is the same as that for Merchant Navy personnel.
Australia Service Medal 1939-1945
The Australia Service Medal 1939-1945 was instituted in 1949 to recognise the service of members
of the Australian Armed Forces and the Australian Mercantile Marine during World War II.
The medal was originally awarded to those who served at home or overseas for at least 18 months
full-time service, or three years part-time service, between 3 September 1939 and 2 September 1945.
Members of the Australian Mercantile Marine must have served the qualifying time at sea.
In 1996 the qualifying time was reduced to 30 days full-time or 90 days part-time service. To be eligible
for the medal a serviceman or woman must have been honourably discharged from the Australian Armed Forces.
Design
The medal is nickel silver with the crowned effigy of King George VI on the obverse. The reverse has the
Australian coat of arms, placed centrally, surrounded by the words ‘THE AUSTRALIA SERVICE MEDAL 1939-1945’.
Ribbon
The ribbon has a wide khaki central stripe, flanked by two narrow red stripes, which are in turn flanked by
two outer stripes, one of dark blue and the other of light blue. The khaki represents the Australian Army,
and the red, dark blue and light blue represent the Merchant Navy, Royal Australian Navy and the Royal Australian
Air Force respectively.
Attribution
The above information is from the Defence Honours site at http://www.defence.gov.au/Medals/Imperial/WWII/Australia-Service-Medal-1939-1945.asp, taken on 19 Jun 2019.
This version of the Rising Sun Badge was worn by soldiers of the 1st and 2nd Australian Imperial Forces, and the badge
has become an integral part of the Digger tradition.
Worn on the the upturned brim of the slouch hat, it is readily identified with the spirit of ANZAC.
There are a number of versions of the genesis of the badge, the most widely accepted being that it derived from a Trophy
of Arms - various swords and bayonets mounted on a semi-circular display in Victoria Barracks, Melbourne.
The original version worn in South Africa was modified in 1904 and worn by Australian soldiers through two World Wars.
Later changes were made to the style of the crown and the wording on the scroll. The "King's Crown" is the one shown to
the left, while arches of the "Queen's Crown" rise at the same angle as the base of the crown, curve at their highest point
to a level mid-way on the orb below the cross and then down to below the orb.
In 1949 the scroll was changed to read "Australian Military Forces".
In 1969 the badge was modified to incorporate the 7-pointed Federation Star with a central Queen's crown over the Torse
Wreath (a twisted roll of fabric) from the original 1902 version, and the scroll wording changed to "Australia".
In the 75th anniversary year of the the ANZAC landings at Gallipoli, there was a drive to return to traditional accoutrements
worn by Australian soldiers during the World Wars, which clearly identify the Australian Army. The Queen's crown returned to its
central position and the scroll now reads "The Australian Army'.
Returned From Active Service Badge
The Australian Defence Force Returned From Active Service Badge features a tri-services badge (with an anchor, wings and
Rising Sun) surmounted by the King's or Queen's crown of the reigning monarch, with a boomerang underneath with the text
'RETURNED FROM ACTIVE SERVICE' . The reverse of the badge has a pair of pin clips for attachment to the wearer's clothing.
The Returned from Active Service Badge (RASB) is issued to Australian Defence Force personnel who have rendered warlike
service. The badge enables individuals to display their involvement in warlike service while wearing civilian attire. It
is worn when the wearing of service medals is not appropriate or possible. As the award of the RASB is not governed by
statute, it has been the practice of Australian Governments to determine conditions of eligibility for each conflict in
accordance with the circumstances existing at the time.
Since 1945, with the award of the Australian Active Service Medal (AASM) 1945-75 and the current AASM, the badge has been
awarded automatically. The bronze badge was introduced in 1953, and is identical to the earlier post-Second World War Returned
from Active Service badge, apart from the replacement of the King's crown with the Queen's crown.
Anecdotally, the positioning of the lapel buttonhole has led Australian returned service personnel to state that "nothing is positioned above the Returned from Active Service badge". The RASB is not worn when medals are worn, as the medals themselves are ample proof of that status. This also applies to the miniature devices of honours and awards.
Some Government Issued Badges
Nearest Female
Relative Badge
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War Widows
Guild Brooch
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Silver War Badge
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Discharged Returned
Soldier Badge
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Government issued badge in enamel and sterling silver issued to the wife, mother or nearest female relative of
a serving soldier. Additional bars were suspended below for further individuals.
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Membership badge of a Kookaburra in sterling silver, issued by the Government to the widows of men
who lost their lives due to their service. Numbered on the reverse.
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Awarded to service personnel who sustained a wound, or contracted sickness of disability in the course
of the war as a result of which they were invalided out, or to soldiers who had retired during
the course of the war.
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First issued in 1916. Slight variations are indicative of a number of makers. 267,300 were issued.
Numbered on the reverse but the numbers have no link withlength of service or Service Number.
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[Badge information collated from Australian War Memorial, "Australians Awarded" by Clive Johnson and en.wikipedia.com]
