John Thomas William Dedman

John Thomas William Dedman
Born: 15th December 1915
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Enlisted: June 25th 1940
Joined camp July 9th at Caufield and moved to Mt Marther, Balcombe, Darley and joined the 29th Batalion on the 28th of November 1940 at Bunegilla.
Went on to New South Wales and sailed on the 30th of July 1941.

• Singapore 15th August 1941
• Segarannat 15th September 1941
• Kehang November 1941
• Batu - Anum 15th January 1942
• Prisioner of War Changi 15th February 1942
• Thompson Road May 1942
• River Valley 20th November 1942
• Changi December 1942
• Thailand 20th April 1943
• Work on Burma railway 25th April 1943
• Kanburi 29th November 1943

Join up for a grand adventure they were told, they were not told that through this grand adventure they would learn heartache, fear and pain. To watch a man die in your arms is not the grand adventure they were promised.

I have heard many stories about being a Prisioner Of War, some funny and some sad. There was once a time when the men were ordered by the Japanise soldiers to unload items, in those items were biscuits, the "Japs" as they were called did not realise but one of the men opened a box and was feeding the troops as they carried the boxes into the shed. They were pleased with the men at how fast they were doing their job. At other times building the Burma railway the men would not put all of the reqired pin's in the track and would only put one or two instead of the correct number. During this time John (snowy) along with other men became ill, John and some others were left at the previous camp, when it was relocated down the track, they were left to die as they were considered too weak to work. They were near a mango tree and took turns to climb it and eat the mango's until someone found them.

John returned to Australia at the end of the war and married Vanice Horne, John and Vanice had two children, Vanice Ann (Ann) and Philip John. Both of which went on to produce two and three children respectively, and in turn have had three great grandchildren.

John, better known to me as "pa". My pa is much loved by many people, and is well respected in the community for what he has accomplished in his life. Pa has always been generous with his time and effort and would do anything to help anyone. To me my Pa is a hero, someone who went off to do what is right for our country and to fight for what Australian's value most - freedom.