Michelle Landry (Capricornia, National Party) Share this | Hansard source

Just before New Year, my electorate of Capricornia lost a well-known old war veteran and Sarina identity. Former returned serviceman Ernest 'Ernie' Schneider passed away on 30 December 2016, aged 96.

When he was 20, in June 1940, Ernie enlisted in the Army during World War II, serving a total of five and a half years. Ernie's unit fought the Japanese on the Malay Peninsula to Singapore, where he was taken prisoner with thousands of other troops of the 18th Australian Division. Ernie endured three and a half years as a prisoner of war in Changi prison. He endured inhumane conditions working on the infamous Thai-Burma railway, where thousands of lives were lost from starvation, beatings and sickness. He was listed as missing in action on 16 February 1942, and was not confirmed as a POW until 14 October 1943.

Ernie returned home after the war ended, emaciated and in poor health. He married his wife Greta, raised three children and lived in Brooks Road, Sarina, all of his life. He was married to Greta for over 70 years.

Ernie was also a member of the Sarina RSL for over 70 years. Our sincere condolences go to Ernie's family on this occasion.

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