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Past Letters & Cards

The following is a copy of a letter received at HQ on February 10th 1942.
This letter was dropped in a casket in the grounds of Fort Canning from a Japanese plane. It is thought that anything up to 20 were dropped over Singapore to make certain the GOC received at least one letter. In fact, 4 were received by HQ Malaya Command. No subsequent letters were dropped from 'planes.

Lieut General Tomoyuki Yamashita.
High Com of The Nipon Army

Feb 10 1942

To:- The High Com of The British Army in Malaya

Your Excellency,

I, the High Com of The Nipon Army based on the spirit of Japanese chivalry have the honour of presenting this note to your Excellency advising you to surrender the whole force in Malaya.

My sincere respect is due to your Army which true to the traditional spirit of Great Britain is bravely defending Singapore, which now stands isolated and unaided.

Many fierce and gallant fights have been fought by your gallant men and officers, to the honour of British Warriorship.

But the development of the General War situation has already sealed the fate of Singapore, and continuation of futile resistance would not only serve to inflict direct harms and injuries to thousands of non-combatants living in the city, throwing them into further miseries and horrors of war, but also would not certainly add anything to the honour of your Army.

I expect that your Excellency accepting my advice will give up this meaningless and desperate resistance and promptly order the entire front to cease hostilities and will dispatch at the same time your Parlimentaire according to the procedure shown at the end of this note. If on the contrary your Excellency should reject my advice and the present resistance be continued I shall be obliged though reluctantly from humanitarian considerations to order my army to make annihilating attacks upon Singapore.

In closing this note of advice I pay again my sincere respects to your Excellency.

Signed

Tomoyuki Yamashita

(1) The Parlimentaire should proceed to Bukit Timah Road.
(2) The Parlimentaire should bear a large white flag and the Union Jack.

Submitted by COFEPOW Member Carol Grime - letter issued to her father on leaving Java.

OC 21st LAA Royal Army Ordnance Corps Workshop Section

To All Ranks

From the latest Nippon Order moving you away, it is most improbable that we shall meet again during the War and I want, therefore, to say "Goodbye" to you.

You joined this regiment only a very short time before we sailed but it took only a short time before you most definitely became "part of us" and we shall miss you all very much.

We did not have any "close fighting" with the enemy, but the work you did was a most vital part of this regiment's internal organisation.

We were called upon to work over impossibly long communications and to move some 4,000 miles by road. We got our communications when we really needed them, and we all got to our destinations. This I attribute very largely to the constant care and hard work you invariably were doing.

You can take away with you the knowledge that you most worthily maintained the honourable traditions of your Corps, and I shall without fail make certain that your record is forwarded to the proper quarter when I return home.

I do not know where you are going but situations will arise which will call for patience and hard work and I know that you will buckle to and help as you have here.

The course of the War may be long but the end is sure. Always remember that.

Those of us left behind are very sorry you are going but we wish you all the best of luck and we shall look forward to a reunion at home.

God bless you.

M D S Saunders, Lieut. Colonel RA, Commanding 21st LAA Regiment RA

Glodok - 14th September 1942

Submitted by COFEPOW member Jan Brazendale

A letter card written by her father, Jim Bowen, from Durban en route to the Far East and a telegram sent from Rangoon after his release from captivity.

Transcript of the contents of the above card.

Dear brown eyes just a line to wish you a very happy Christmas and all the best for a grand New Year. I am having a very good time here. Everything is free the only trouble is the heat. I hope you are keeping well darling it's such lovely weather and I know how you loved the walks in the cool of the Summer evenings. Well the evenings are perfect here but it's very hot in the daytime but we just can't stay on the ship. It's so lovely in the town and as all busses are free we jump on and go out into the country for an hour or two. We see blacks out there just like you can on these pictures. I should love you to see it sweetheart, perhaps someday when this is all over we shall return together. Kiss my little girl for me and my pal. Look after yourself darling because I believe we shall be back home before very long . Must close now sweetheart. All my love to you my brown eyed darling.
Your loving Jim XXXXXXXXXX
For the babies XXXXXXXXXXXX

Telegram sent from Rangoon September 7th 1942

Jim Bowen (on left of photograph)

Submitted by Carol Cooper - COFEPOW Chairman/Secretary

Although my father had written, on an airmail card, post marked 'BOMBAY 19th January 1942', that he had sent several letters, my mother only ever received that one card and the following letter dated '5th February 1942, MALAYA'. It was to be his last, written 10 days before he became a Prisoner of War. He wrote:-

"To My Dearest Wife and Children,

Once again darling I take great pleasure in writing to you and I pray that this finds you and all at home fit and well as I am glad to say I am. You will see that my address has changed since I wrote you last and we reached our new place quite O.K., so please don't worry because I am perfectly alright and having a fairly decent time under the circumstances, but that one snag still arises, we have, at least I have not yet received any mail, two or three of the lads got a telegram, but otherwise we are still waiting. I've heard nothing further as yet about that second stripe, but we must keep hoping dearest. How is everyone at home? All well I trust. I am writing to Mum & Dad by this same post, so I trust you both get them O.K. Did you get the airmail card I sent?

I told you on that, that I had had a tattoo done on my right arm with your name Ida May on it. It is quite good and I know you will like it. Things in general are quite good around here and the weather is lovely and hot, sun all day and occasionally rain to wash the dust away. I'm told it is like this all the year round, but we are hoping we shan't have to stay that long. Keep smiling, sweetheart, this can't last forever and I shall soon be with you all again for keeps. My thoughts are ever with you and I seem that I love you more each day and I miss you, the children and home so much, but I guess we have got a job to do and we must finish that first, but don't worry angel I shall be alright. I shall soon have to draw to a close now dearest Ida.

I will write again very soon and I trust darling, if it is O.K. with you to hear by cablegram very soon. See if you can send one, will you and let me know how you all are.
So till the next time darling, I will remain,

Your Ever Loving Hubby
Bill xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
God Bless You All and Keep You Safe,
Kiss My Olive and My Carol for me. I Love You All. xxxxxxx"

Airmail letter address

Front of Airmail letter	Reverse of Airmail letter

The card below was written by my mother for my father's 26th birthday - there are 26 'kisses' on the bottom. His birthday fell on the day his unit embarked for the Far East. It is a mystery how the card came to be back in my mother's possession; either it was not sent or, more likely, it did not catch up with my father before he became a POW and was thus 'Returned to Sender'.

COFEPOW member Diana Thompson has submitted the following cover and reverse side of a birthday card that fellow prisoners made for her Dad - it is the only tangible memory she has of her Dad's time as a FEPOW and she treasures it.

Letter submitted by COFEPOW member Yvonne Heritage. It was written by a soldier after his wife and children had been evacuated to Australia, accompanied by Yvonne and her mother.

1424286 BQMS Rigby, A.T.
11 (S) Hy AA Battery HKSRA,
2nd AA Regt. HKSRA,
Malaya

My Dearest Nell & Babes,

Many thanks for cable & letter. I was very pleased to know that you had arrived safe. I am writing this but at the present I’ve no address. Well dear I am very pleased that you all got safely away from this place believe me it is not like it used to be, there has been several alterations just around, we’ve had plenty of visitors to see us and they didn’t like the look of some of the things so they just altered them, where the bed was you can now have a shower bath just a lump of mud from a present.

Peter & Paul’s mother had their garden dug for them free of charge and Mrs. W. they have not gone yet, Mrs O’B and Sheaff are still hanging on. Bennett had a letter from Mrs the other day they are doing quite well where they got off, they were made quite welcome on arrival, I have wondered if Alf met you. I sent him a letter by Air Mail the day after you left and told him as much as I could. The remainder of the family are quite well Rover didn’t stay with Stan long he beats me to the shelter, Cocky is O.K. I can’t get him his seeds I haven’t been to town since the morning you left, it isn’t a very healthy spot. Sprank’s canary is still with me. Badgy came home a few days ago but went back again Busty W is back quite safe. I have still got the quarter but may have to give it up for other reasons.

I sleep in O’B place at night. I used our own qtr. for the first week but it was too dismal and miserable. Well dear I received your second cable yesterday Mon 26th I was pleased to get an address I am just waiting now for the P.O. to open to send a cable. Are you staying there or are they putting you somewhere else, wherever you go look after yourself, I am doing my best here to dodge unwelcome presents 20yds has been my closest yet. Not too bad if you say it quick, I hope I can do plenty of dodging for a long time yet.

I will write again to Alf and let him know where you are, if I were you I would send him a letter from there and let him know how you are getting on as I told him you were going his way so he may be looking out for you. I daresay you see and hear the news down there, I can’t tell you much more. I hope we get through O.K., our fighters are doing a great job lately, I daresay you have read that we have some of those from home now and they are grand.

Well dear I will close now wishing you all the best and my fondest love to all,

from your ever loving husband

Arthur

A letter submitted by COFEPOW member Elizabeth Mortimer written by her father, Eric to her mother just before he sailed to the Far East and captivity.

"I tried to phone but there were about twenty waiting so I gave it up.

3/12/41

My own darling wife,

It is now 5.45 pm and I am sitting on a bunk writing a few lines to you… We have a meal at 11 pm and parade in full kit ready to move off by 12.30. I only hope that I shall get the strength from somewhere to be able to carry it. I believe we are going from a port where I told you about. I won't say any more in case this letter is opened. We had another 'short-arm' inspection today, the usual thing. A mockery of an inspection really. Nobody was turned out.

My mind is more settled now and I have accepted my fate whatever it may be. We must pray for patience and courage to guide us through this terrible world. God has his plans for us all and will be good to his poor lambs although their sufferings may be almost unbearable. If, in the future, our great love bears fruit and you give me the joy and happiness of bearing me a child, would you, my dear, have him christened Eric. Only the one name darling (if he is a boy). It is my wish and will remind you, my love, of his father, who, if he should not be permitted to return, will always be smiling at you with his old blue eyes and naughty smile. And if it should be a girl please name her Evelyn, after her mother, the greatest and kindest girl in the world. I know she would inherit those beautiful old brown eyes of yours my dear. If we are unlucky and no baby comes we will have our family when I return darling.

I must apologise for all the sadness I have brought to you sweetheart but who can foresee the future?… The Lost Souls are spending their last few hours in this horrible camp and I know we shall all be glad to leave it. Their sufferings are written in their eyes. They look like hurt animals, my dear, and it hurts to look one's fellows in the eye. We are so quiet and subdued writing our last letters from England to those we adore.

Your love remains to me as a fragrant and beautiful flower sweetheart. It is something I revere as holy and nothing will ever come between us to sully it. How can I tell you what your kindness and love has meant to me? You came into my life and it was lit up by a beautiful and pure love, so great that I thought it would vanish like a rainbow. I had waited so long for you my dear. Right through the ages we were destined to meet and become one, man and wife, and whatever befalls no-one can part us. Let this uphold you while I am away my own darling. It is my hope and stay and through all the dangers and trials which I must face I shall have courage and know that what I am doing is for you and for those I love and adore. And if I have to go to my maker I shall wait for you where we shall be together forever and where nobody can hurt us or separate us any more. And remember, sweetheart, you must be there when I return, for life would be unbearable without you. How would your poor old dog manage without you to help when all this is over and forgotten.

I shut myself away and had a good blub this afternoon. I couldn't help it dear as I am only a kid at heart and my poor heart was nearly breaking and it had to come out or I should have gone mad. It is over now and I feel relieved. I mustn't cry again now dear, but be a brave old doggie like you always say I am. Please don't sorrow over my going dear. I want you to smile and cheer those up around you and when you feel sad think of your old dog's eyes smiling at you and saying "Keep cheerful my dear, I am with you always". All we poor old boys will be with those we love darling. I hope I haven't been a sentimental fool writing all this tripe, but I had to tell you what was in my heart, and I know that you will understand… I must try and get a bit of sleep ready for our journey. God bless and keep you safe and all those that I love… And now I will close, my lovely wife. Please don't worry because I am at your side always. God bless you and guard you.

With all my love and kisses, your ever loving and broken-hearted husband Eric."
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

A letter sent home by Lieut W.H. Carlton who was evacuated from Tjilijap Java on the HT Kedah and arrived at Colombo Ceylon on the 7th of March.

In his letter of the 7th. Feb 1943 he wrote the following:

"When we came up from Java we were all hoping we weren't going to see a submarine as the engines had broken down and there we were stranded in the ocean. We wirelessed for help and much to our relief a cruiser came along and dragged us here. The boat that was some way behind us from another port was visited by a sub and had two torpedoes fired at it but luck was also on their side as it was a flat bottomed boat and the torpedoes went clear underneath. The chaps on the boat say the sub came up and had a good look and were apparently disgusted with having spent two torpedoes for nothing so submerged and went off leaving the boat to come on here."

Extract submitted by Lieut Carlton's son, Dennis - COFEPOW member

Copy of a letter written by the Japanese Captain who was in charge of the Sumatra Railway Line, pleading for his life after being sentenced to death.
His appeal was unsuccessful
Translated: Medan 17th June 1948.

"To Major J.J. A. van de Lande

Dear Sir,

I would like to offer my hearty congratulation for you on your activity with best health in your new place and would like to express my cordial thanks for your kindness extended to me while you were in Medan.

I was sentenced to death by the Temporary Military Tribunal, Medan, on the 30th May 1948 and now spending lonesome days in a solitary cell waiting the last moment. I reproach myself, not others, I gave up myself as my destiny given by the God.

The verdict announced at the court, for me was quite reasonable which I understood very well with my appreciation. I was sentenced by the charge of high mortality in the camp and my insufficient supervision toward my Korean subordinates who ill treated the POW's without my knowledge.

Charge 1, 2 and 3 of my accusation were the matter connecting with the accused Doi Isamu. The charge about my responsibility of issuing foods, clothes and so on to the camp have been duly acquitted at the court by the President on the reason of insufficient evidence. It is really my great regret that I newly came to know the fact of maltreatment inflicted by my Korean subordinates upon the POW's when I was examined at Medan in the time of preliminary hearing after the capitulation, except the cases which were duly sent to the Japanese Military Tribunal without delay. I would never tolerate any illicit conduct in the camp, if I were awared of. I took all my possible steps within my competence to prevent them. The verdict announced that I should be punished to the most severest sentence because of my violation of Hague Treaty Act. 4 and 6.

I frankly admit the high mortality in my camp. But as previously mentioned, the President has acquitted the supplying responsibility such as foods, clothes and so on to the camp and admitted other causes of the high mortality in favour of me. I am deeply convinced that it must have been difficult to get better results because of my poor position at the lower end of the line of command. Furthermore, bad natural features of Pakanbaroe area made me much disadvantage. I dare say, no POW had died because of personal misconduct, whole through my tenure. Contrary to my expectation, Maj. Asami of Atjeh case has been sentenced to 15 years and myself to death which I can hardly understand. On the other hand I am quite happy to report you that none of my subordinates has been sentenced to death, viz Doi Isamu to life, Nagai Susumu 8 years and Ishii Haruyoshi 4 years respectively.

My last and best hope whole through the time was attend the funeral of my old mother in Japan, but all came to impossible at present. I would break my heart if I think over my old mother, wife and four children in Japan who are supposed to be in extreme poverty without any financial support.

Every minute and every second I am only waiting for the warm and merciful mitigation by His Excellence the Governor-General to whom I submitted my petition in due way.

I would be very much obliged if you will be so kind to bring forward the petition from you in favour of me to His Excellency, by taking my miserable situation into your consideration.

At last, I have a honour to report you that I have always been treated very kindly and I could have the chance to correspond with you by the profound kindness of Mr. P. Rozendaal here.
Hoping your safe and success with best health.

Your most grateful, I remain
(signed by)

Miyazaki Ryohei
c/o Medan Prison, Sumatra."

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