SUGDEN Dorothy Mary Margaret

Dorothy Mary Margaret Taylor married Spencer Allen Sugden on 2nd March 1939 at Kempsey. Spencer was a Private serving with the Federated Malay States Volunteer Force during World War Two. She served at the 1st Malayan General Hospital until the fall of the Malay Peninsula when she was evacuated to Singapore. She was killed during a Japanese bombing raid on 9 February 1942 and was initially buried at Changi cemetery before being moved to Kranji War Cemetery after the war. Her husband, Spencer, died three weeks after the Japanese surrender on the 23rd August 1945 and is also buried in Kranji War Cemetery.

A letter from the Reverend H.W. Glasgow, Kempsey Vicarage, dated 17th May 1950 can be found within war records held at Worcestershire Archives requesting that Dorothy Sugden (nee Taylor), VAD, Singapore, be added to the county roll of honour.

Probate 1948:
Sugden Dorothy Mary Margaret of Penhentian Siput Division Port Dickson Estate Negri Semblian Federated Malay States (wife of Spencer Allen Sugden) died 7 February 1942 at The Singapore Straits Settlements. Malaya Administration. London 12 October to Frank Sugden medical practitioner. Effects £1320 8s 11d in England.

Probate 1948:
Sugden Spencer Allen of Penhentian Siput Division Port Dickson Estate Negri Semblian Federated Malay States died 25 August 1945 at Saigon. Indo-China Administration. London 3 June to Frank Sugden medical practitioner. Effects £2858 4s 8d in England

The CWGC records Dorothy Sugden’s date of death as 9th February 1942. The Colonial Office Register of Deaths and Probate both record her date of death as 7th February 1942 therefore this is the date I have used.