Cemetery plot location: A-07-30
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| Classification: | POW |
|---|---|
| Identification number: | PWJA 145046 |
| Surname: | TAIRA |
| Other names: | Shigeo |
| Plate name: | TAIRA, SHIGEO | AKA (Also Known As): | Shigeo TAIRI; Shigeyo TAIRA |
| Name in kanji: | 平良 重雄 |
| Grave location: | A-07-30 |
| Date of birth: | 1921-06-23 |
| Place of birth: | Aza Gase, Nishibara-son, Okinawa-ken, Japan |
| Private address: | Aza Gase, Nishibara-son, Okinawa-ken, Japan |
| Business address: | Not recorded |
| Military rank: | Military labourer (POW) |
| Unit regimental number: | Army, Yamamoto-butai, 19 Regiment, 3 Platoon |
| Date of capture: | 1942-11-24 |
| Place of capture: | Buna, New Guinea |
| Reason for internment: | Prisoner of war |
| Camp interned: | Cowra |
| Date interned: | 1942-12-11 |
| Health condition on arrival: | Suffering from malaria and malnutrition |
| Trade or occupation: | Forestry labourer |
| Length of residence in Australia: | Not recorded |
| Date of entry: | Not recorded |
| Port of disembarkation: | Not recorded |
| Ship: | Not recorded |
| Personal effects: | Nil |
| Religion: | Nil |
| Nationality: | Japanese |
| Marital status: | Single |
| Next of kin: | Kashin TAIRA |
| Address of next of kin: | Aza Gase, Nishibara-son, Okinawa-ken, Japan |
| Relationship to next of kin: | Father |
| Father’s name: | Kashin TAIRA |
| Father’s occupation: | Not recorded |
| Mother’s maiden name: | Not recorded |
| Identification: | Height 5'2", weight 98 lbs, sallow complexion, black hair, dark eyes |
| Movement report: | TAIRA was first interned in Gaythorne and hospitalised once there. He was transferred to Cowra on 20 February 1943. He was hospitalised for one week each in March 1943, April 1943, May 1943, and July 1943. He was sent to Liverpool for hospitalisation from July to August 1943. He returned to Cowra on 9 August 1943. He was hospitalised again in September and October. The causes for his hospitalisations were not recorded. He was injured during the breakout, and died on 23 September 1944. |
| Cause of death: | Stab wound to left chest, collapsed lung, cardiac failure |
| Date of death: | 1944-09-23 |
| Cremation or burial: | Burial |
| Date of burial: | 1944-09-25 |
| Place of first burial: | Cowra |
| Extra information: | TAIRA has a coronial record in Sydney (NAA Sydney: SP196/2, 445/1/6695).
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| Related images: | TAIRA’s Allied Translator & Interpreter Section (ATIS) interrogation report summary (pdf): |