GORDON ALLENBY HEALEY
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.
Photograph courtesy of Cheryl.
Born: 10th September 1919, Holy Trinity, Ipswich.
Died: 27th May 1945; age: 25; died of Pleurisy as a Japanese POW at the POW Hospital, Palembang Camp, Sumatra.
Residence with mother: 77, Morland Road, Ipswich.
Gordon was a survivor of H.M.S.’Repulse.’
Rank: Marine; Service Number: PLY/X. 2213.
Regiment: Royal Marines, H.M.S. ‘Sultan’
Grave Reference:
4.A.11.
Indonesia.
Father: Andrew Gordon Healey, born 1892, in Ancoats, Manchester, Lancashire. A Yeast Company Foreman.
Mother: Rose Henrietta Catherine Healey (nee Mann), born February 1896, St. Clement’s, Ipswich.
CENSUS
1921 19, Burlington Road, Ipswich.
Gordon was 18 months old. He lived with his parents.
Andrew Healey, 28 years & 1 month, a Ministery Worker for The De Bear Schools Ltd. – Training Discharged Soldiers Scheme, at Commercial House, 28, Princes Street, Ipswich.
Rose Healey, 25 years & 4 months, House Duties.
In 1921, Gordon’s sister, Vera Veretta Healey was 5 years & 5 months and living with their maternal grandparents George Thomas Mann and Robina Mann (nee Canham), of 23, Hill House Road, Ipswich.
Gordon’s parents went their separate ways – in 1924 and 1928, Rose Healey and her partner Herbert Pullen Ladbrook had two daughters. They immigrated to Wisconsin in July 1948. In 1944, in Ipswich, Andrew Healey married Mabel Evelyn Senton.
Newspaper picture from the Evening Star – 7th October 1942.
researchers notes:
Jonathan Moffatt (malayanvolunteersgroup.org.uk):
Gordon Healey was an HMS Repulse detachment Royal Marine until its sinking with HMS Prince of Wales off Kuantan, Malaya on December 10th 1941. He was then attached to HMS Sultan [Singapore Royal Navy shore base]. He died at Sungei Geron Camp near Palembang, Sumatra.
Marine Healey likely served with the Plymouth Argylls [surviving members of the Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders and HMS Prince of Wales and Repulse] during the Battle for Singapore in February 1942. He was in a detachment of Royal Marine HMS Tapahs put aboard on February 13th 1942 by Commander Alexander. They were captured off Muntok on February 17th 1942 and were POWs in Muntok till late February 1942 before crossing to camps in Palembang, Sumatra including Mulo Camp and from June 1944 Sungei Geron.He was at no time a Java POW.
Adrian Villanueva:
was Gordon on board HMS Dynmas (a relative small vessel)that was trying to escape from Singapore in February 1942, and heading to Sumatra (Indonesia) but was intercepted by a Japanese Cruiser. Dynmas CO was Lt (later Capt) RG Banks, SS (later) MRNVR (Singapore Division). He had to surrender his ship or be blown out of the water. Later like Gordon & crew & some civilians were captured and sent to a POW Camp at Muntok. In Capt Banks’s story recorded in the book I edited “Naval Reservists in Action: WW II (FE) & Confrontation” he also mentioned that there were some ex-HMS Repulse/Prince of Wales sailors/personnel were on board Dynmas. Capt Banks survived the War, after having been imprisoned in Muntok & Chanji (Singapore) & much later became Commanding of the MRNVR (Singapore Division)& HMS Laburnum – the MRNVR HQ Ship berthed in Singapore. I served under Banks as an Officer MRNVR in early 1960s. His son Peter Banks who lives in Farnham, UK gave me his father’s memoirs for inclusion in the book Chapter 4 “Escape from Singapore to POW.”
Gordon’s portrait and profile will be displayed at a V.J. Day exhibition “Be Ye Men of Valour” from Saturday, 9th August to Monday, 25th August (Bank Holiday) 2025, at St. Margaret’s Church, Ipswich, IP4 2BT.
4 Comments
Gordon Healey was an HMS Repulse detachment Royal Marine until its sinking with HMS Prince of Wales off Kuantan, Malaya on December 10th 1941. He was then attached to HMS Sultan [Singapore Royal Navy shore base]. He died at Sungei Geron Camp near Palembang, Sumatra.
Marine Healey likely served with the Plymouth Argylls [surviving members of the Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders and HMS Prince of Wales and Repulse] during the Battle for Singapore in February 1942. He was in a detachment of Royal Marines put aboard HMS Tapah on February 13th 1942 by Commander Alexander. They were captured off Muntok on February 17th 1942 and were POWs in Muntok till late February 1942 before crossing to camps in Palembang,Sumatra including Mulo Camp and from June 1944 Sungei Geron. He was at no time a Java POW.
Was Gordon was Gordon on board HMS Dynmas (a relative small vessel)that was trying to escape from Singapore in February 1942, and heading to Sumatra (Indonesia) but was intercepted by a Japanese Cruiser. Dynmas CO was Lt (later Capt) RG Banks, SS (later) MRNVR (Singapore Division). He had to surrender his ship or be blown out of the water. Later like Gordon & crew & some civilians were captured and sent to a POW Camp at Muntok. In Capt Banks’s story recorded in the book I edited “Naval Reservists in Action: WW II (FE) & Confrontation” he also mentioned that there were some ex-HMS Repulse/Prince of Wales sailors/personnel were on board Dynmas. Capt Banks survived the War, after having been imprisoned in Muntok & Chanji (Singapore) & much later became Commanding of the MRNVR (Singapore Division)& HMS Laburnum – the MRNVR HQ Ship berthed in Singapore. I served under Banks as an Officer MRNVR in early 1960s. His son Peter Banks who lives in Farnham, UK gave me his father’s memoirs for inclusion in the book Chapter 4 “Escape from Singapore to POW”.
thank you for HMS Repulse Marine Gordon A Healey biography. My father was a Repulse survivor and I would like to visit some of the local memorials. Is Gordon Healey’s name inscribed on an Ipswich area War Memorial or plaque?
thank you.