Grant Him O Lord Eternal Rest
Private Raymond Ernest Madgett 6th Battalion Royal Norfolk Regiment
The Man Raymond Ernest Madgett was born on Thursday 10th September 1914 in Hempnall, Norwich son of Ernest an Insurance Agent working for the Prudential Insurance Company and Hetty Valsia nee Sparkes, he had one sister Betty May (1922-2010).
Following his education Raymond became an Assistant at a Grocers Shop (Retail Tradesman) and the 1939 Register shows the family living at The Bungalow, Fritton Aria, Hempnall, Norfolk.
Following the start of World War II on 3rd September 1939, Raymond was called up and enlisted into the 6th Battalion Royal Norfolk Regiment as a Private and with service d number 5778878. During the third quarter of 1940, aged 26 he married Joyce Helen Carey in Norwich and they lived at 54 Church Road, Bungay, Hedenham. They had no children and little time to enjoy their marriage.
The 5th and 6th (City of Norwich) Battalions were both assigned to the 53rd Infantry Brigade and the 4th Battalion the 54th Infantry Brigade. Both brigades were part of the 18th Infantry Division. Throughout most of their existence, all three battalions remained in the United Kingdom assigned to coastal defence duties and training to repel a German invasion. In October 1941 however, the division left, destined for the Middle East and fought in the defence of Singapore and Malaya against the Japanese advance. The men of these battalions, and other East Anglian battalions of other regiments, ended up as prisoners of war when Singapore fell on 15th February 1942. On this day Raymond was taken as a Prisoner of War.
Raymond was shipped to Thailand overland on 20th October 1942 and forced to work on the notorious Burma Railway, where on 21st July 1943, aged 28 he succumbed to inhumane treated meted out by the Japanese and died of Cholera whilst working at Kannyu River No 1 Camp. He was cremated and buried at the camp grave number 68, later being transferred to Don Rak Cemetery, Kanchanaburi in Thailand plot 8.M.13.
He was posthumously awarded the 1939-45 Star, Pacific Star and War Medal 1939-45.
Joyce remarried in 1954, to Alfred Stanley Reynolds and died on 9th April 1996 aged 82 and was buried in St. Peter's Churchyard, Hedenham, Norfolk.
Following his education Raymond became an Assistant at a Grocers Shop (Retail Tradesman) and the 1939 Register shows the family living at The Bungalow, Fritton Aria, Hempnall, Norfolk.
Following the start of World War II on 3rd September 1939, Raymond was called up and enlisted into the 6th Battalion Royal Norfolk Regiment as a Private and with service d number 5778878. During the third quarter of 1940, aged 26 he married Joyce Helen Carey in Norwich and they lived at 54 Church Road, Bungay, Hedenham. They had no children and little time to enjoy their marriage.
The 5th and 6th (City of Norwich) Battalions were both assigned to the 53rd Infantry Brigade and the 4th Battalion the 54th Infantry Brigade. Both brigades were part of the 18th Infantry Division. Throughout most of their existence, all three battalions remained in the United Kingdom assigned to coastal defence duties and training to repel a German invasion. In October 1941 however, the division left, destined for the Middle East and fought in the defence of Singapore and Malaya against the Japanese advance. The men of these battalions, and other East Anglian battalions of other regiments, ended up as prisoners of war when Singapore fell on 15th February 1942. On this day Raymond was taken as a Prisoner of War.
Raymond was shipped to Thailand overland on 20th October 1942 and forced to work on the notorious Burma Railway, where on 21st July 1943, aged 28 he succumbed to inhumane treated meted out by the Japanese and died of Cholera whilst working at Kannyu River No 1 Camp. He was cremated and buried at the camp grave number 68, later being transferred to Don Rak Cemetery, Kanchanaburi in Thailand plot 8.M.13.
He was posthumously awarded the 1939-45 Star, Pacific Star and War Medal 1939-45.
Joyce remarried in 1954, to Alfred Stanley Reynolds and died on 9th April 1996 aged 82 and was buried in St. Peter's Churchyard, Hedenham, Norfolk.
The Story The medals awarded to Raymond Ernest Madgett were acquired from E-Bay on 12th November 2023 and of immediate interest as Raymond had been a Burma Railway casualty and buried in Don Rak Commonwealth War Grave Cemetery in Kanchanaburi, Thailand. This being a sub theme in this collection.
Negotiations with the vendor secured the group and as always, Ancestry.UK and Find a Will enabled a biography to be compiled. Especially pleasing were photographs of Ernest and his family on Ancestry, allowing a face to be put to the ‘Man Behind his Medals’ and one who paid the ultimate sacrifice under horrendous circumstances.
So sad that his marriage lasted but a few months and tragic circumstances overcame him.
Raymond's grave was visited in Thailand on Thursday 18th January 2024 and a poppy cross placed. It was once again humbling to think it may habe been the first ever specific visit to his grave.
Negotiations with the vendor secured the group and as always, Ancestry.UK and Find a Will enabled a biography to be compiled. Especially pleasing were photographs of Ernest and his family on Ancestry, allowing a face to be put to the ‘Man Behind his Medals’ and one who paid the ultimate sacrifice under horrendous circumstances.
So sad that his marriage lasted but a few months and tragic circumstances overcame him.
Raymond's grave was visited in Thailand on Thursday 18th January 2024 and a poppy cross placed. It was once again humbling to think it may habe been the first ever specific visit to his grave.
Raymond Madgett's posthumous Medal Award Certificate
Don Rak Commonwealth War Grave Cemetery, Kanchanaburi, Thailand. 18th January 2024.
Hempnall War Memorial and Parish Church.
Raymond Ernest MADGETT is one of 16 soldiers in this collection who perished whilst working on the Burma Railaway and whose final resting place is Kanchanaburi or Chungkai Commonwealth War Cemeteries in Thailand or Thanbyuzayat in Myanmar. May their souls rest in eternal peace. Click on each name to read about:
Medal Details:
- 1939-45 Star: Unnamed as awarded.
- Pacific Star: Unnamed as awarded.
- War Medal 1939-45: Unnamed as awarded
Return to: The Collection
Go to Previous Page: Stuart MACPHERSON
Go to Next Page: James Andrew MAHONEY
Go to Previous Page: Stuart MACPHERSON
Go to Next Page: James Andrew MAHONEY
This page last updated 18 Jan 24
210