Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Five: Flying Officer G. G. Mallett, Royal Air Force, who was captured by the Japanese on 8 March 1942 and is recorded on the nominal roll of “H” Force, compiled at Kanu jungle camp on the infamous Thailand-Burma railway

1939-45 Star; Pacific Star; War Medal 1939-45; General Service 1918-62, 1 clasp, Malaya, G.VI.R. (Fg. Off. G. G. Mallett. R.A.F.); Royal Air Force L.S. & G.C., E.II.R., 1st issue (562570 F.Sgt. G. G. Mallett. R.A.F.) mounted as worn, light contact marks from Stars, good very fine (5) £300-£400

Godfrey Gordon Mallett, sometimes known as Geoff Mallett, was born in Portsmouth on 3 February 1913, the son of Alfred John Mallett of 76 London Avenue, Portsea. Appointed Flight Sergeant in the Royal Air Force, he was taken prisoner of war upon the Japanese occupation of Java and Sumatra and was transported to Konyu 2 Camp, detailed as forced labour to build the 258-mile railway line between Ban Pong, Thailand, and Thanbyuzayat, Burma. Strategically important as a means to supply troops and weapons to Imperial Japanese forces fighting in Burma, the line soon became known as the ‘Death Railway’ on account of the atrocious conditions experienced by thousands of Allied P.O.W.’s and trafficked Southeast Asian civilians.

Appointed to “H” Force, Mallett joined a workforce of 3000 British and 600 Australian prisoners, many of whom were suffering from tropical disease, starvation, and other forms of maltreatment. A unique feature of the Force was an Officers Party made up of 260 Officers who worked as labourers; sent to Hellfire Pass Cutting, followed by Three Tier Bridge, the only protection from the incessant rainfall and scorching heat were 24 canvas tent flys (sheets); in consequence, the death rate in “H” Force was 27.4%, approximately 885 men.

Liberated on 2 September 1945, Mallett returned to England to recover from his ordeal. He remained in the Royal Air Force and was appointed to a commission as Pilot Officer (permanent) in the London Gazette on 27 February 1951. Advanced Flying Officer, he served during the Malayan Emergency and later retired to Shipton Bellinger in Hampshire, where he died on 5 May 1971.

Sold with extensive copied research, including Japanese P.O.W. records.