Cemetery plot location: B-08-03
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| Classification: | POW |
|---|---|
| Identification number: | PWJA (USA) 100037 |
| Surname: | YOKOTA |
| Other names: | Shigeki |
| Plate name: | YOKOTA, SHIGEKI | AKA (Also Known As): | Shigiki YOKOTA |
| Name in kanji: | 横田 茂樹 |
| Grave location: | B-08-03 |
| Date of birth: | 1920-02-22 |
| Place of birth: | 1989 Kawauchi-mura, Takaoka-gun, Kochi-ken, Japan |
| Private address: | 1989 Kawauchi-mura, Takaoka-gun, Kochi-ken, Japan |
| Business address: | Not recorded |
| Military rank: | 3rd Class Seaman |
| Unit regimental number: | Navy, 5 Sasebo Special Naval Landing Party |
| Date of capture: | 1943-07-07 |
| Place of capture: | Goodenough Islands |
| Reason for internment: | Prisoner of war |
| Camp interned: | Gaythorne |
| Date interned: | 1943-07-27 |
| Health condition on arrival: | Not recorded |
| Trade or occupation: | Farmer |
| Length of residence in Australia: | Not recorded |
| Date of entry: | Not recorded |
| Port of disembarkation: | Not recorded |
| Ship: | Not recorded |
| Personal effects: | Nil |
| Religion: | Buddhist |
| Nationality: | Japanese |
| Marital status: | Single |
| Next of kin: | Kohachi YOKOTA |
| Address of next of kin: | 1989 Kawauchi-mura, Takaoka-gun, Kochi-ken, Japan |
| Relationship to next of kin: | Father |
| Father’s name: | Kohachi YOKOTA |
| Father’s occupation: | Not recorded |
| Mother’s maiden name: | Sugi YOKOTA |
| Identification: | Height 5'6", weight 125 lbs, sallow complexion, black hair, dark eyes |
| Movement report: | YOKOTA was sent to Townsville, and then to the Allied Translator & Interpreter Section (ATIS) on 28 July 1943. He was transferred to Gaythorne on 13 October 1943, and then to Cowra on 31 October 1943. On 30 August 1944, he was sent to Hay. On 20 February 1946, he was withheld from repatriation as a suspected war criminal. He was sent to Murchison on 8 March 1946. He committed suicide on 15 March 1946. He was buried in the Murchison Cemetery on 16 March 1946. |
| Cause of death: | Suicide |
| Date of death: | 1946-05-15 |
| Cremation or burial: | Burial |
| Date of burial: | 1946-05-16 |
| Place of first burial: | Murchison Civil Cemetery |
| Extra information: | YOKOTA was withheld from repatriation as a war crime suspect. He killed himself about a month later. |
| Related images: | YOKOTA’s Allied Translator & Interpreter Section (ATIS) interrogation report summaries (pdfs): |