Lot 3205

Description

Group of Four to POW died on 1st Sandakan Death March: 1939-45 Star; Pacific Star; War Medal 1939-45; Australia Service Medal 1939-45. VX60012 D.C.C.Wraight. All medals impressed. Swing mounted, nearly uncirculated.

Donald Clarence Cheyne Wraight, born 01Aug1901 at Foster, Vic; Enl.22Jul1941 at Royal Park, Melbourne, Vic and allocated to AAOC; to 27Bde Ordnance Field Park 19Sep1941; Emb.02Nov1941 for Singapore; MIA 16Feb1942 as member of B Force and later confirmed POW; B Force POWs transported from Changi 07Jul1942 and arrived at Sandakan Harbour 18Jul1942 and then to Sandakan POW Camp; Died while POW 11Feb1945 on the first Sandakan 'Death' March; commemorated at Labuan Memorial at the Labuan War Cemetery off the coast of north-west Borneo, and the Australian War Memorial.

It was reported in The Mercury, Hobart, Tasmania on Thursday 1 November 1945, page 18, as follows. 'Relatives of the former successful cross-country jockey, Don Wraight, were officially informed that he died in a Borneo POW camp in February this year. Wraight rode many winners over hurdles and fences, including Sparkling Moselle (GN Hurdle), and Cenlight (Australian Hurdle). He dead-heated for first on Unohoo in the Great Eastern Steeplechase at Onkaparinga, SA.'

With considerable amount of research.