| Notes: | CMP. POW. 18 Div Pro Coy. 22/11/1926 he enlisted in the Royal Tank Corps for 6/6 years, age 18.11 years at Middlesborough, born West Hartlepool, occupation Labourer, 3/5/1930 transferred to CMP. RSM 18 Div Pro Coy. Captured Singapore 15/2/1942. Inscription on memorial for the cremated: Their glory shall not be blotted out. Died from Diarrhoea 8/9/1943, Changaraya, Thailand. Wife Mrs B M Cretsor, Morrison Gardens, Hartelpool. Co. Durham.
Info from Japanese POW index card: Robert Cretsor. Born 1/12/1907 at West Hartlepool, Co Durham, occupation Civil Police Officer, Home address: as above, father John Robert, mother Mary Anne.
He formerly served in the Hartlepool Borough Police. His brother Sgt Ernest Cretsor was awarded the Military Medal for gallantry in the Middle East and was killed in action in April 1943.
He is listed on British POW in Japanese Hands, no. 11721, Cretsor, Robert, Sgt, Maj, No 400728, Army, 15/2/1942 captured, 8/9/1942 Died, MA (Malaya) Deceased. Death Certificate:6/9/1943 cremated died from colitis. Listed on nominal roll for "F" Force working party, CMP 18 Div, died 6/9/1943. Listed on Death Register for F" & "H" Forces: 81, No. 400728, Crestor, R, RSM, 18 Div, 4/8/1945 Died from diarrhoea, died on journey from Tambaya believed buried Chancarna, "F". He is listed on Train No. 7 Roll: 1/2192, Cretsor, R, 400728, RSM, 18 Div Pro,
Casualty List 793, Malaya, Missing, 15/2/1942. Casualty List 1122, Malaya, previously reported missing now POW, 15/2/1942. Casualty List 1941, POW, previously reported POW now reported Died, 8/9/1943, previous List 1122, Malaya.
Robert Cretsor.
He is mentioned in 7689015 L/Cpl Harry Thorpe's story "And to think I volunteered" which can be found on www.far-eastern-heroes.org.uk. |
THAILAND 
