RAYMOND THEOPHILUS KING
From May through to September 2026, Andrew will be fulfilling his dream to hike the iconic Land’s End to John O’Groats! You are all warmly invited to follow Andrew’s epic journey on his Facebook page, “Andrew Beal LEJOG” https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61577588795730
As Andrew hikes the 1,300+ miles, he will raise funds for the Ipswich War Memorial Project to help finance our future exhibitions and research of the brave Ipswich men and women who lost their lives in conflict. If you would like to make a small donation, please click on the link: https://gofund.me/5d4a50570
Thank you for your love and support. Andrew & Helen – I.W.M.P.
Born: 5th December 1916, Ipswich.
Died: 24th September 1943; age: 27; died of Acute Enteritis at Nanchon Yai POW Camp, whilst a Japanese POW on the Thailand-Burma Railway.
Captured: 15th February 1942 – Fall of Singapore.
Residence: 38, Rosebery Road, Ipswich.
Occupation: a Sheet Metal Worker at Ransomes, Sims & Jefferies, Ipswich.
Rank: Private; Service Reference: 5828796/
Regiment: Suffolk Regiment, 5th Battalion – Infantry, 18th Division.
The body was originally buried at Nanchon Yai Cemetery, in a joint common grave No. 71-72. The bodies were later exhumed, identified by records and re-buried together between 11th March 1946 and the 12th April 1946 at Kanchanaburi War Cemetery.
Grave Reference:
Joint Grave 6. C. 71-72.
Thailand.
Joint grave with Signalman, 2353471, Geoffrey Edward Russell of the Royal Signals who died 26th September 1943, of Malaria. Son of William Henry Russell & Lucy Russell (nee Naylor), of Harrogate, Yorkshire.
Photo of Geoffrey Edward Russell courtesy of Paul from the photograph collection of Edna Kilvington.
Relatives Notified & Address: Only son of Mr & Mrs E. King, of Ipswich.
Father: Ernest King, born December 1889, Chelmondiston, Suffolk.
Mother: Ellen May King (nee Payne), born March 1893, Ipswich.
CENSUS
1921 10, Hill Street, Ipswich.
Raymond was 4 years & 6 months old and lived with his parents, sister, maternal grandfather and maternal uncle.
Ernest King, 31 years & 6 months, Mill Hand/Sack Filler for Cranfields Flour Mills, at Dock Roller Mill, Ipswich.
Ellen King, 29 years & 3 months, Home Duties.
Winifred Audrey King, 6 months old, born Ipswich.
Robert William Payne, 53 years, widowed and a Sheet Iron Worker – Thrashing Machines for Ransomes, Sims & Jefferies – Agricultural Engineers, Orwell Works, Ipswich, born Ipswich.
Percy Robert Reginald Payne, 18 years & 1 month old, a Baker’s Errand Boy for Tricker, a Baker of Woodhouse Street, Ipswich, born Ipswich.
ENGLAND & WALES REGISTER 1939.
Raymond was a Sheet Metal Worker at Ransomes, Sims & Jefferies, Ipswich. He lived with his parents at their family home – 38, Rosebery Road, Ipswich.
Ellen, unpaid Domestic Duties.
Ernest, a Flour Mill Machinist Attendant.
1 other.
Probate to Winifred Audrey Aira – sister, and wife of Eurico Guiseppe Aira.
Raymond is also remembered by Ransomes, Sims & Jefferies with entrance gates, dedicated in May 1958, at Ransomes Sports’ Centre, Sidegate Avenue, Ipswich.
4th and 5th Battalions:
The Battalions were attached to the 18th East Anglian Division.
15th February 1942: After the Fall of Singapore, approximately 620 of the Battalions were taken POW and later mostly died on the Burma-Thailand Railway.
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