STEPHEN THOMAS GIRLING
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 – 20th April 1942.
Born: 1921, Ipswich.
Died: 23rd October 1943; Age: 21; died of Septicaemia as a Japanese PoW – Thailand/Burma Railway.
Captured: 15th February 1942 – Fall of Singapore.
Residence: 8, Queen’s Way, Ipswich.
Rank: Private: Service Number: 5826891.
Regiment: Suffolk Regiment, 4th Battalion.
The body was cremated and interred at Tambaya Cemetery No. 9. Later ashes were exhumed and interred in January 1946 at Thanbyuzayat War Cemetery.
Grave Reference:
B6.R.5.
Mon State,
Myanmar.
Image courtesy of Kevin Knights.
Father: Arthur Thomas Girling, born September 1895 – died June 1945, at 8, Queen’s Way, Ipswich. A House Painter.
Mother: Ethel May Girling (nee Crawford), born 1900 – died 1934, Ipswich.
Probate to Martha Grace Rivett – sister, and wife of Ronald Bertram Rivett.
The Battalion was attached to the 18th East Anglian Division (including the 4/5th Battalion of 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.
SUFFOLK REGIMENT MUSEUM
Friends of The Suffolk Regiment
Stephen’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.
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