Maurice entered the RMA Woolwich just as the war began in the summer of 1939 and not long after being commissioned he attained the rank of Captain. The regiment moved to India in May 1941, equipped with 25 pounder guns; in August it moved to Malaya and the following month re-equipped with 4.5" guns.

It fought in the Battle of Malaya and the Battle of Singapore: with the surrender of Singapore, surviving members of the Regiment were taken prisoner on 15^th February 1942. Previously reported as ‘missing in action’, but in March 1943 this detail was changed to ‘killed in action’ on Saturday 14^th February 1942, aged 20. Maurice, whose body was never recovered was the second OW to die on this day. He is therefore commemorated on the Singapore Civil Hospital Grave Memorial.

Mentioned in Despatches.

Only child of Maurice James Eustace &Violet Mary Eustace of Newstown, Co. Carlow, Irish Republic.

A copy of this story is availabale for download here.

See also the Commonwealth War Graves Commission permanent digital memorial, ‘Evermore: Stories of the fallen’ relating to:- Captain Maurice James Reginald EUSTACE