THE CHANGI PRISON AUSTRALIAN RULES FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION PREMIERS TROPHY PLAQUE, 1942

the hand written cardboard trophy laid down on metal backing with a later plastic protector, drawn and inscribed in pencil 'RICHMOND FOOTBALL CLUB, PREMIERS, 1942, Australian Rules Association, P. O. W. CAMP CHANGI, Coach: Horgan D., Trainer: G. Brown, Pres: A. Bush, Capt: P. MacKinlay, Vice Capt: R. Small, Secretary: B. C. Wootten, Treasurer: H. Hollioak, Presented to P. J. Campbell as a member of the above Club., President Changi League.'



TOGETHER WITH



details of the match and players, Private Small's campaign medals, photographs, letters, associated papers, record of service and tributes for Private R. G. (Bobby) Small.



 

Robert Gordon 'Bobby' Small, a country boy from Donald, Victoria enlisted in the A.I.F. as a member of the Australian Medical Corps at the Melbourne Town Hall on 28th July, 1941. After sailing on the Wanganella he disembarked at Singapore on 15th September, 1941 and became a prisoner of War  following the Fall of Singapore in February 1942.

Private Bobby Small along with thousands of other Australian soldiers completed the 29 kilometre march to Changi prison and then on to the Selerang Barracks that became home to the Australians for the next three years.

A copy of the record of the match that accompanies this collection includes some glowing references to Bobby's form during the 'Grand Final' played between 'Carlton' and 'Richmond' on 'Padang, Changi at 1900 hours, 17 October 1942'. The record notes that Vice Captain 'Small was master of the centre' and that he 'gathered the crumbs' and it was through his play that  'Richmond's forwards got most of their opportunities.'

Private R. G. 'Bobby' Small died of dysentry on 15th December, 1943. He is buried at Kanchanaburi War Cemetery in Thailand along with the other Australian soldiers who died as part of the forced labour crews working on the construction of the  notorious Burma-Siam railway.