Shoemake - First & Second World Wars
The Battle of Java took place from February 27th to March 1st, 1942, during World War II, in the waters surrounding Java in the Dutch East Indies. It was part of Japan’s campaign to capture the resource-rich islands of Southeast Asia. Allied forces—made up of Dutch, British, American, and Australian warships—were organized into a joint fleet under Dutch Rear Admiral Karel Doorman. Their mission was to halt the Japanese invasion fleet as it approached Java.
The Allies faced serious disadvantages: their ships were
fewer in number, many were outdated, and they had limited air support. On 27th
February, the main clash occurred in the Java Sea. The Japanese, with better
coordination, powerful long-range torpedoes, and strong air reconnaissance,
inflicted heavy losses. Allied cruisers such as HNLMS De Ruyter and
HNLMS Java were sunk, killing Admiral Doorman and many crew members.
Over the next two days, surviving Allied ships tried to
escape but were hunted down. HMS Exeter, USS Houston, and HMAS Perth
were among the vessels sunk in follow-up engagements. The defeat left Java
undefended at sea, allowing Japanese forces to land unopposed. By early March,
Java had fallen, completing Japan’s conquest of the Dutch East Indies and
securing vital oil fields that fuelled its war effort.
Following the formal surrender of Java on March 12th,
1942, it is estimated that 10,000 British were taken as Prisoner of War. The actual figure of how many British were casualties
killed or wounded is unclear.
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| Charles Shoemake |
Charles was the son of Thomas Henry Shoemake and Evelyn
Oliver, who were married during the latter quarter of 1920. Charles was born the following year. Sadly, there doesn’t seem to be a 1921 census
record for the family.
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| 1939 Register |
At the time of the 1939 Register, the family was living at 4 Cwm Terrace. Charles’ occupation was recorded as Railway Page.
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| Hearld of Wales |
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| Hearld of Wales |
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| Charles Shoemake Kancanaburi War Cemetery, Thailand credit - findagrave |
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| British Prisoners of War Held in Japan or Japanese - Occupied Territory |
Charles was buried at Kancanaburi War Cemetery,
Thailand. There are a further two men
from Swansea, Stanley Benjamin Littlejohns, who served with the Royal Army
Service Corps, who died on June 7th 1943, and John Reginald Watts,
who served with the Royal Artillery, who died on February 26th 1945,
who are buried at the cemetery.
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| Albert Edward Shoemake |
Charles’ uncle, Albert Edward Shoemake, who served with the Welsh Regiment, 6th (Glamorgan) Battalion.
Albert was born in 1887, was the son of Charles Shoemake and
Sarah.
The 1901 Census records that the Shoemake family were resident
at 4 Villiers Street, Hafod.
1901 Census
Charles, aged 41, is employed as a Coal Trimmer, while Sarah
is aged 34. Their children are
William C., aged 15, who is employed as a Railway Lamp Boy;
Moranada, aged 14; Albert, aged 13, and Thomas Henry, aged 2.
A decade later, at the time of the 1911 census, Albert, who
had married Emily Elizabeth Hopkins two years earlier. They were living at Garth Road, Gwaun Cae
Gurwen, Pontardawe.
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| 1911 Census |
Albert, aged 24, is employed as a Blacksmith, and Emily is
aged 22. Their only child at the time
was
9-month-old Richard Charles.
Albert, who served with the 41st Foot (Welch
Regiment), enlisted in 1904. Albert enlisted with the 6th Battalion at
the outbreak of the First World War.
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| Hearld of Wales |
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| Albert Edward Shoemake Lindenhoek Chalet Military Cemetery, Belgium credit - fidnagrave |
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