SPOKES Charles Burnett William VX36982 A Coy [F Force, Ponds Party]

Born on April 24, 1912, in Colac, Victoria, he was the son of George and Elizabeth Margaret Spokes.

Pte Spokes enlisted in the Australian Army on July 11, 1940, in Pirron Yallock, Victoria.

During the Second World War, he fought in Malaya. He was wounded in action on January 21, 1942, during the Battle of Muar. He was captured and became a Prisoner of War. He died of illness while in captivity on February 6, 1944, at the age of 31.

Commemoration: Pte Spokes is buried at the Kranji War Cemetery in Singapore (Grave 1. C. 8).

Charlie Spokes attended Wool Wool School which opened in 1920 and closed around 1951, consolidating with nearby Alvie Primary school.

In 1944, four trees were planted at Wool Wool School in memory of four past students who died in World War II, including Charlie Spokes.

A memorial plaque in the name of Pte Charles Burnett William SPOKES VX 36982 is located in the grounds of the Alvie Primary School which is located 16 kms North of Colac.