Watch List notes:

Group of Four to POW: 1939-45 Star; Pacific Star; War Medal 1939-45; Australia Service Medal 1939-45. NX41674 R.C.Pinder. All medals impressed. Swing mounted, ribbons damaged, contact marks on last two medals, otherwise good very fine.

Together with copy of Attestation Form; Record of Service Book; AIF, Malaya, Leave Pass No.21695; Demobilization Procedure Book; Certificate of Discharge.

R.C.Pinder's second name is spelt in several ways throughout his records - these include Cotterell, Cotterel, Cottrill, and Cottril.

Richard Cotterel Pinder, cook & baker, age 32, born at Guildford, Sydney, NSW; Enl.01Aug1941 at Paddington, Sydney, NSW; TOS GB Depot 01Aug1941; to A/Cpl 04Aug1941; Emb.17Sep1941; Disemb.05Oct1941 at Singapore; to Cpl 13Dec1941; MIA 16Feb1942 in Malaya, later reported POW and interned at Malaya Camp 5; recovered from Japanese at Singapore 05Sep1945; RTA 12Sep1945; Disemb.16Sep1945 at Sydney, NSW; Disch.27Dec1945 as Corporal ex General Base Depot 8 Aust Div; Died 14Jan1979 as Bernard Roy Pinder (AKA Richard Coterill (sic) Pinder) and was buried at Rookwood Methodist Cemetery, Rookwood, Sydney, NSW.

It appears the war had an effect on him because in September 1950 at the Merriwa Police Court Richard C. Pinder pleaded guilty to a charge of using indecent language and resisting arrest. The police constable who gave evidence of the arrest asked the bench to take into consideration the fact that the defendant was a returned soldier with five years' service overseas. The defendant said he had been under medical treatment for some time and was subject to occasional blackouts when he took any liquor. Consequently the defendant was very leniently dealt with and only fined ten shillings. Then again in July 1953 Richard Cottrell Pinder was charged with having suspected stolen goods in his possession. He pleaded guilty and was fined five pounds or one month's imprisonment. Perhaps this is why he started using the name Bernard Roy Pinder.

With copy of Service File.