Ivor Henry De Witt (unknown)
Rank : Private
Attached to the 4th (Pahang) Bn.,
Federated Malay States Volunteer Force
Born in 1902
Died on Monday, 22nd December 1941
Age : 39
Interred at the Taiping War Cemetery, Jalan Bukit Larut, Taiping, Perak, Malaysia
Grave Reference : 1.B.13.Ivor Hendry De Witt was the son of Thomas and Jessie P. de Witt.
At the time of the Japanese invasion of Malaya (now Malaysia), Taiping was on the British line of retreat down the west coast. Its normal garrison of one Indian Infantry Battalion had been augmented, a casualty reception station organised and arrangements were made with the civilian authorities for the provision of 500 beds for military patients and 20 Combined General Hospital (Indian Army) had been posted there.
During the fighting the Indian 6th and 15th Brigades used Taiping as a rest and re-fitment centre for a few days. As the withdrawal southwards developed, numerous Indian Army Medical units worked there for short periods before each in turn had to move towards Singapore with the fighting forces.
Taiping War Cemetery was created by the Army after the defeat of Japan for the reception of graves brought from the battlefields, from numerous temporary burial grounds and from village and other civil cemeteries where permanent maintenance would be possible.
The town of Taiping is located in the state of Perak, about 97 km south-east of Penang in the north-west of Malaysia. The cemetery is located about 2 km from the town.
We would appreciate any information regarding him.
