David Claude Burrell (1921 - 1942)

Born 12 Dec 1921 in Merbein, Victoria, Australia

Ancestors

Died 1 Jul 1942 at age 20 in At Sea

Biography

David Burrell was a Prisoner of War during World War II.

David Burrell died as a prisoner of war on the Montevideo Maru during the Second World War.

David Claude Burrell was born in Merbein, Victoria in 1921^[1]. He was the son of John Lewis Burrell and Ethel Maude Fleming.

He enlisted in the Australian Army for overseas service at Royal Park, Melbourne, VIC on 05 Mar 1941 (having completed his attestation form at Mildura, NSw on 10 Feb 1941). He enlisted as a Private (VX50405). At the time he was single, a labourer and was living with his father in Merbein, VIC.

After training he was transferred to No. 1 Independent Coy (a commando unit) on 21 Jun 1941.

He embarked on HMAT "Zealandia" on 12 Jul 1941 for Kavieng, New Ireland in the Territory of New Guinea, disembarking there on 29 Jul 1941.

When the Japanese invaded New Ireland on 23 Jan 1942 he was probably with the bulk of the Coy who escaped overland to Kaut on the south coast and boarded the "Induna Star" on 29 Jan 1942 before making their way along the coast of New Ireland heading to Rabaul. When they learned that Rabaul had fallen and hearing that the Japanese had landed to the east of them (false) the ship sailed south. It was spotted by a Japanese aircraft, bombed and taken under tow by a Japanese destroyer on 02 Feb 1942 and entered Rabaul on 03 Feb 1942 where he became a Prisoner of War, initially held at Rabaul.

He died on board the "Montevideo Maru" when it was torpedoed and sunk off the coast of the Philippines on 01 Jul 1942, en route from Rabaul to Hainan where he was destined for forced labour.

Sources

1. ↑ Birth, Deaths and Marriages, Victoria Online Registry. Event: births; Registration number 33002 / 1921; Family name: BURRELL; Given name(s) David Claude; Place of event: MERBEIN, VIC, Australia; Mother's name Ethel Maud FLEMING; Father's Name: Jno Lewis. https://www.bdm.vic.gov.au/research-and-family-history/ search-your-family-history

• WW2 Australian Army Service File - National Archives of Australia - BURRELL DAVID CLAUDE : Service Number - VX50405 : Date of birth - 12 Dec 1919 : Place of birth - MERBEIN VIC : Place of enlistment - ROYAL PARK VIC : Next of Kin - BURRELL JOHN - http://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/scripts/AutoSearch.asp?O=I&Number=6124563

• Roll of Honour - Australian War Memorial - https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/R1691848

• Commonwealth War Graves Commission - https://www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/2615448/burrell,-david-claude/

• Virtual War Memorial Australia: https://vwma.org.au/explore/people/621934

• The Australian Ex-Prisoners of War Memorial https://www.powmemorialballarat.com.au/prisoners-of-war/burrell-david-claude/