Medals from the Collection of Warwick Cary, Part 1

Eight: Lance Corporal R. E. Toombs, Australian Army Service Corps, 2nd Australian Imperial Force, who died as a prisoner-of-war of the Japanese on 23 May 1945

1914-15 Star (3938 Pte. R. Tombs. 10/Bn. A.I.F.); British War and Victory Medals (3938 Pte. R. Tombs. 10 Bn. A.I.F.); 1939-45 Star; Pacific Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45; Australia Service Medal, the Second War awards all officially named ‘SX9105 R. E. Toombs’; together with a Female Relatives’ Badge, with one star by G & E Rodd, 1944, pin-backed, reverse numbered 28552; and an Australian Forces colour patch, the Great War awards very fine, otherwise nearly extremely fine (8) £400-£500

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Richard Toombs was born in 1894 in Adelaide, South Australia, the son of Edward and Esther Toombs and attested for the 1st Australian Imperial Forces on 9 August 1915. Embarked for Egypt aboard the Malwa on 2 December 1915, he joined the 10th Battalion on arrival but developed a hernia and was returned to Australia on 11 April 1916 without seeing active service. He was discharged medically unfit on 19 June 1916.

During the Second World War, Toombs enlisted on the 17 July 1940 at Adelaide in the 2nd Australian Imperial Force and was posted to the 4th Reserve Motor Transport Company, Australian Army Service Corps as a Driver. He was embarked from Sydney for Malaya with the ill-fated 8th Division in April 1941.
Following the fall of Singapore on 15 February 1942, Toombs was taken prisoner and together with 1,500 other Australians, was formed into “B” Force which left Changi for Sandakan in British North Borneo on 8 July 1942. There followed a deplorable nine days journey aboard the Ubi Maru, crowded between decks under appalling conditions with little water in the hottest time of year. On arrival at Sandakan Harbour the P.O.W.s were marched eight miles to a camp where, interred in over crowded conditions, with more British and Australians arriving, the total numbers reached 2,500 in a camp designed for 300.

Nearing the end of 1944, with Allied forces approaching Sandakan, the Japanese Command ordered the prisoners to march 165 miles through mountainous country to Ranau. The first 470 prisoners left Sandakan in January 1945, with those unable to continue being killed. A second march of 532 prisoners then left Sandakan, of whom only 183 reached Ranau to join the 8 survivors from the first march. By 1 August 1945 a mere 33 prisoners remained alive at Ranau. These were massacred by the Japanese, with six - all Australians - escaping to tell the tale. Of the 288 prisoners left at Sandakan none survived.
Toombs spurious Japanese death certificate states that he died of malaria at Sandakan on 23 May 1945. In common with most of the victims of these brutal ‘death marches’, he has no known grave. His name is commemorated on the Labuan Memorial.

Note: On his Second World War attestation forms, 46 year old Toombs, declared his age to be 39 and stated no previous service history. However, Toombs’ R.S.L. membership cards at Adelaide H.Q. have confirmed that Tombs and Toombs are the same person: 1916 card - 3938 R. Tombs 10th Battalion; 1939-40 Card - 3938 R. Toombs 10th Battalion. Also confirmed hernia.

Sold with copied research, including a copied Second War attestation photograph of the recipient.