ALFRED GEORGE SHELCOTT

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.

Image from the Evening Star – 15th April 1942

Born: 29th December 1919, Ipswich.

Died: 21st August 1943; age: 23; died of Indigestion as a Japanese PoW on the Thailand/Burma Railway.

Captured: 15th February 1942 – Fall of Singapore.

Residence: 440, Bramford Road, Ipswich.

Occupation: a General Labourer.

Rank: Private; Service Number: 5831234.

Regiment: Cambridgeshire Regiment, 2nd Battalion – Infantry.

The body was originally buried at Takanoon Cemetery, grave 137. On the 7th February 1946, the body was exhumed, and identified by records before reburial at Kanchanaburi War Cemetery.

Grave Reference:

2.N.45.

Kanchanaburi War Cemetery,

Thailand.

Image courtesy of Kevin Knights.

Father: Harry Shelcott, born May 1882, Ipswich.

Mother: Florence Shelcott (nee Pugh), born October 1881, in Ipswich.

ENGLAND & WALES REGISTER 1939

Alfred was a general labourer. He lived with his parents at the family home – 440, Bramford Road, Ipswich.

Harry, a general labourer.

Florence, unpaid domestic duties.

Alfred’s father Major Harry Shelcott, of the Royal Artillery, Deputy Assistant Adjutant General, was recognised for his service in the Evening Star newspaper – 17th May 1945, on the occasion of his return home from India, after 11 years’ foreign service, aged 46. He first joined the Royal Artillery, at Woolwich, as a Trumpeter, at the age of 15. He saw service in India, twice. Harry was also with the 14th Army in Burma during the Second World War. He was married with two sons – Alfred and John H. Shelcott, born January 1928, Preston, Lancashire – with the R.A.M.C.

Cambridgeshire Regiment.
The Battalion was attached to the 18th East Anglian Division.( including 4/5th Battalion the Suffolk Regiment)
15 February 1942: After the fall of Singapore, approximately 620 of the Battalions were taken POW and later mostly died on the Burma-Thailand Railway.