Albert Neil Cleary (16 June 1919 – 20 March 1945) was an Australian soldier during World War II. Part of the 2/15th Field Regiment, Royal Australian Artillery, he became a prisoner of war to the Japanese following the Battle of Singapore. He died following an escape attempt in 1945. In 2001, the Australian Labor Party introduced a bill to have Cleary and two others awarded the Victoria Cross for Australia, however this was defeated by the Federal Liberal Government. In 2011, Cleary was awarded a posthumous Commendation for Gallantry. Cleary's death was revealed by historian Lynette Silver to have been caused by dysentery, calling into doubt his elevation as a war hero.

References

1919 births

1945 deaths

Australian prisoners of war

Australian military personnel killed in World War II

People from Geelong

Australian torture victims

World War II prisoners of war held by Japan

Australian Army personnel of World War II

Deaths from dysentery

Australian Army soldiers

Burials at Labuan War Cemetery

Albert Cleary