Locals who died as prisoners of the Japanese during WWII

VX37649 James Brodribb was born in Bairnsdale on March 11, 1918. His family moved to Sale and he enlisted in the 2nd AIF on July 16, 1940. He was assigned to the 2/2nd Pioneer Battalion. During the Syrian Campaign in June 1941, James was captured by the Vichy French. At the end of the campaign in July 1941, he was released and rejoined his unit. Like several other local men in the 2/2nd Pioneer Battalion, he was captured by the Japanese and ended up working on the infamous Burma-Thailand railway. James died on August 12, 1943 after complications following an operation to amputate his leg. He had the dubious honour of being a POW twice and didn't survive his second capture. James Brodribb was 25 years old.