Edward Victor EMMETT

EMMETT, Edward Victor

Service Number: NX51899
Enlisted: 28 June 1940
Last Rank: Corporal
Last Unit: 2nd/10th Field Ambulance
Born: Marrickville, New South Wales, Australia, 15 June 1920
Home Town: Lewisham, New South Wales
Schooling: Not yet discovered
Occupation: Carpet Salesman
Died: Shot whilst attempting to escape, Borneo, 18 June 1945, aged 25 years
Cemetery: No known grave - "Known Unto God"
Labuan Memorial, Labuan, Malaysia
Memorials: Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Ballarat Australian Ex-Prisoners of War Memorial
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World War 2 Service

28 Jun 1940: Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, NX51899
28 Jun 1940: Enlisted Australian Military Forces (Army WW2), Corporal, NX51899

World War 1 Service

18 Jun 1945: Involvement Corporal, 2nd/10th Field Ambulance

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Biography contributed by Robert Kearney

Corporal Edward Emmett was awarded the Commendation for Gallantry for actions following capture by the Imperial Japanese Army on 15 February 1942 until his death as a result of escaping on 18 June 1945. Corporal Emmett was part of the second Sandakan Death March when, on 7 June 1945, while three Allied aircraft flew overhead, he and four other Australians took advantage of the situation and escaped into the jungle. The group evaded capture until 18 June 1945, when they were approached by a small boat. Hiding in the boat was a Japanese soldier who appeared from beneath a cover and shot and killed Corporal Emmett and Private Sidney Webber, who is also being awarded a Commendation for Gallantry. Only one member of the group of five survived. Gunner Owen Campbell survived the escape attempt and was able to return to Australia to provide evidence of what happened on the Sandakan death march. Courtesy of Defence Honours and Awards

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