Private Robert Goulden
Private Robert Goulden was a member of the 2/9th Field Ambulance and left Sydney for Singapore on the 10th January 1942. On his arrival, he was transferred to the 2/4th Machine Gun Battalion to allow two brothers to be together. This could not have been a worse time for any soldier to be in Singapore as the Japanese Army pushed its way down the Malay Peninsula. It was only a matter of time, and on the 15th February 1942, Singapore fell. In total, about 100,000 Allied soldiers became prisoners of war (POW’s) of the Japanese.
In May 1942, “A Force”, made up of 3,000 Australian POW’s, was sent as forced labour to Burma. The first group of about 1,000, including Private Goulden, was dropped off at Victoria Point with the remainder disembarking further north at Mergui and Tavoy. At Victoria Point, the POW’s worked to repair the airfield that had been destroyed by the British during their withdrawal.
Camp life was harsh. Food was meagre and consisted of rice and vegetables and any protein that could be brought from the local villagers. Treatment was ruthless with beatings frequently administered as punishment for minor matters. The Japanese made it clear that anyone who attempted to escape or was caught after escaping would be executed.
On the morning of the 8th July 1942, it was discovered that Goulding had gone missing during the night. Attempts to locate him were unsuccessful. On the 11th July, lost and exhausted, Goulden was discovered by local villagers in a coconut plantation about 25 kilometres from the camp. He was given to the local Burmese police who immediately gave him up to the Japanese. Private Goulding was returned to his camp the following morning.
The final resting place of Private Robert Goulden at Thanbyuzayat War Cemetery, Burma (Myanmar)
In a discussion with his commanding officer, Goulding stated that he was concerned for the health of his wife who he had left back in Australia. At a quickly convened summary trial by the Japanese, Goulding’s commanding officer pleaded leniency for Goulding. But the senior Japanese officer wanted to make an example of Goulding and he was found guilty and sentenced to death. Private Goulding was immediately taken before a firing squad and shot. Goulding would die not knowing that his wife had given birth to his baby boy.
The Japanese allowed Goulding to be given a full military funeral and he was buried at the Victoria Point Cemetery. After the war, Goulding was reburied at the Thanbyzayat War Cemetery along with other Allied and Dutch POW’s who had died on the northern section of Burma-Thailand Railway.
Private Goulden showed he was a man of compassion. He was selfless in transferring to another unit so that two brothers could be together. And the love for his wife and family to be, led to the escape to be by her side, irrespective of how pointless the escape may have been.
In 2017, Private Robert Stuart Goulden was posthumously awarded the Commendation for Gallantry.
R.I.P. Private Robert Goulden
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