7 December 1941. The Japanese also invade the Philippines, Malaya, Thailand and Hong Kong on 8 December 1941. The convoy arrives at Durban, South Africa on 18 December 1941. Because of the Japanese attacks 8 December 1941, the 85th and others were diverted from their original destinations. On 24 December 1941, convoys WS12Z-A (Aden), WS12Z-B (Bombay) and WS12Z-M (Malaya) depart Durban. The ships in Convoy WS12Z-M, headed to reinforce Singapore, are the SS Narkunda, MV Aorangi, MV Sussex and MS Abbekerk. On 30 December 1941, USS Mount Vernon (AP-22) joins convoys WS12Z-A, WS12Z-B and WS12Z-M at 0832 (GMT +4). At 1000, USS Mount Vernon, escort HMS Emerald and WS12Z-M detach and become Convoy DM 1. Convoy DM 1 is headed for Maldives. There was a fuelling stop at "Port T", Addu Atoll, Maldives on 4 & 5 January 1942 (no shore leave). and then convoy DM 1 continues to Singapore. The SS Nakunda reached Keppel Harbour, Singapore on 13 January 1942. Singapore The 85th were transported from the docks to Birdwood Barracks, near Changi. On 14 January 1942 the 85th AT Regiment was attached to 11 Indian Brigade and moved some fifty miles north of Birdwood Camp to Jahore Baru and began defence of Singapore. They were called into action the next day in a rubber plantation just north of the Sultan of Jahore's palace which they fought for a week. On 5 February 1942, the 85th was sent to RAF base at Selatar to guard the base. The next day, they evacuated the base and withdrew to the residential district of Mount Pleasant in Singapore City. On 13 February 1942, the 85th set up defensive positions at Halifax Road. Prisoners of War The Singapore Garrison capitulated on 15 February 1942 and the POWs were marched to Changi Prison. Subsequently, most of the POWs were enslaved and forced to work on the infamous Death Railroad. The BRE (Bureau of Record and Enquiry), initially a secret POW group in Changi, prepared Index Rolls of all British Army forces serving in Malaya from the date of commencement of hostilities to capitulation on 15 February 1942. The 85th A/T Regt R.A. is Roll 33. The nominal Roll for the 85th totals 615 men – 41 officers and 574 Other Ranks. The mortality rate was high with 197 men dead; mainly in Thailand, Singapore, or on a Hell Ship, but some in Formosa, China