Son of Mr. and Mrs. T. Ainge
Aged 22 years
Died 17th July 1942
Commemorated at Kranji Commonwealth War Cemetery, Singapore
Grave 9. E.5.
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Marian Cox, (nee Ainge) 2004.
Taken prisoner at Singapore in February, 1942, Tom Ainge died in Changi P.O.W. camp in July, 1942.
His final resting place is in the Commonwealth War Cemetery at Kranji, Singapore.
This is a peaceful place, well maintained by the War Graves Commission.
Over the past few years several relatives have been to Tom's grave to pay their respects.
Photos courtesy of Marian Cox
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Rushden Evening Telegraph, 19th March, 1942, transcribed by Clive Wood
Rushden Soldiers Missing
On Monday Mr. and Mrs. T. Ainge, of 6, Denmark-road, Rushden, received a letter from their son, Gnr. Thomas Edward Ainge, R.A., written from Bombay, saying that he was in good health but "on the move again."
"Don't worry, everything is O.K. for the present", he added. On Tuesday they received official intimation that he was in Singapore at the time of the collapse and that until further information arrives he would have to be posted "missing".
Aged 22, Gnr. Ainge joined the Army in December, 1939. He was formerly employed in the welted department of the Coxton Shoe Co., and attended the Independent Wesleyan Church. As a boy he attended the Newton-road School. Mr. and Mrs. Ainge have one other son, aged 16.
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Evening Telegraph, Thursday, 15th July 1942, transcribed by John Collins.
Rushden Gunner in Jap Hands
A post-card received from their son, Gunner Thomas Edward Ainge, R.A., on Wednesday, was the first news that Mr. and Mrs. T. Ainge, of 6, Denmark-road, Rushden, had had since he was known to have been in Singapore at the time of its collapse.
Gunner Ainge wrote: “Am quite fit and well and unhurt. Hoping this finds you all the same. Please don’t worry, am treated well”.
It is evident that he is now a prisoner of war in Japanese hands.
Aged 22, Gnr. Ainge joined the Army in December, 1939, formerly being employed in the welted department at the Coxton Shoe Co. He attended the Independent Wesleyan Church and as a boy was at the Newton-road School.
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