Changi Prison Australian Rules Association Premiership Trophy Plaque

The Changi Prison Australian Rules Association Premiership Trophy Plaque, 1942 the hand-lettered and illustrated cardboard trophy laid down on metal backing and with a later plastic protector, 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.' 19 x 30 cm. accompanied by details of the match and the players, Private Small's campaign medals, photographs, letters, associated papers, record of service and tributes for Private R.G. (Bobby) Small, the Vice Captain of the winning team. Provenance: 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 P.O.W. following the fall of Singapore in February 1942. Small, along with thousands of other Australian soldiers completed the 29 kilometre march to Changi Prison and then on to the Selerang Barracks that were to be the 'home' for the Australians for the next three years. A copy of the record of the match that accompanies this collection includes some glowing references to his 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 their opportunities.' Private Small died of dystentry on 15th December, 1943. He is buried at Kanchanaburi War Cemetery in Thailand along with other Australian soldiers who died as part of the forced labour crews working on the construction if the notorious Burma - Siam Railway.