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This page contains requests by COFEPOW members and others seeking information relating to FEPOWs and their stories. Please help if you can.
Searching for Families who escaped from Singapore 1942(10.2.10.) I have begun researching those people who were forced to leave Singapore prior to the Japanese invasion in 1942. I have some good friends at the National University of Singapore and they are helping me find a suitable student to assist me. We always hear about the soldiers and what happened here on Singapore
but very little is ever told about the families and those sent away.
This set my mind to thinking that there is likely a great book that
could be compiled with facts and stories of these people. Please send your contact details or your personal story to Scott Mitchell
via the COFEPOW website. Email Carol.Cooper@cofepow.org.uk
March from Pakhon Nayok to Phitsanaluk, Thailand - March 1945 (26.1.10) Peter Winstanley of Australia is seeking as much information as possible about a march by 1000 POWs, 900 British and 100 Australian. from Pakhon Nayok to Phitsanaluk in the last months of the war. They were accompanied by 3 Medical Officers, Capt JA Mark RAMC, Capt Thomas le Gay Brereton and Lt Poh SSVF. Peter intends visiting Thailand at the end of January with the son of Capt le Gay Brereton to follow in his father's footsteps. If you can help with any information such as maps, sketches of camp layouts or personal accounts please contact COFEPOW. Email : robbez@tesco.net
No. 2 Gun Crew , F Troop, 499 Battery, 135 Field Regt RA (24.12.09) COFEPOW member Mike Clarke writes : I am collecting any information
of 135th (Hertfordshire Yeomanry) Field Regiment. Royal Artillery.
Can you identify this Airfield(18.7.09) COFEPOW member John Corner's father was Deputy Director of Strait Settlements Botanic Gardens in Singapore at the time of its fall in 1942. Among his father's possessions John has found the photo below of an airfield which John would like to identify. He has been told that it is not Singapore. If you can help please contact John. Email : astley22@bigpond.net.au
Can anyone identify this Japanese Guard?(1.5.09)
I assume the photo is of a Japanese guard and feel that he must have shown some kindness to my Dad and possibly the other P.O.W.s, otherwise, why would my Dad have brought his photo back home? Is there anyone out there who can identify him? If you can help please contact Stuart - Email: jameson@fsmail.net
The Rev Gilbert John Marion (Jeff) Chambers Midge Gillies writes :- Can anyone help, please? I'm writing
a book about prisoners of war in the Second World War and would like
to find out more about an army chaplain called, Jeff Chambers (G J M
Chambers). He served in Singapore and encouraged Stanley Warren to produce
his famous murals in Roberts Barracks, Changi. Unfortunately, he died
at the very end of the war and is buried in Kranji, Singapore. If you can help please contact Midge :-
Pte Frederick Robert Martin 4620644 COFEPOW member Julie Weller writes:- Below is a picture of my Father's section of his regiment, The Duke of Wellingtons, which he enlisted into. He was at the fall of Singapore and was put to work on the Death Railway. He was attached to the Sherwood Foresters and with the help of his fellow prisoners he survived to come home. Sadly my Father died September 13th 2008 aged 92 and for many years suffered from ill health as a result of his treatment by the Japanese. I would love to hear from anybody who knew my Father, his name was Frederick Martin and he came from Ponders End, Enfield, Middlesex. You can contact me at Email - juldeane@hotmail.com.
My father is the first soldier seated on the bottom row on the right hand side of the picture
Albert Moreton - 32d Indian Corps(1.2.09) David Moreton writes :-my grandfather, Albert Moreton, served in the 3rd Indian Corps and was captured by the Japanese in Singapore in February, 1942. He was a prisoner of war until August 1945 and one of thousands forced to construct the Thailand-Burma Railway. During his internment, he secretly kept a diary which I plan to publish by this summer. David would like to find out more about the following photographs, which include his grandfather. If anyone knew his grandfather or if anyone in the photos can be identified - please contact David - Email dc_moreton@yahoo.ca
Indian Corps August 1940
Private Stanley Everett 5834609 5th Battalion Suffolk Regiment (13.11.08)
I know very little about him, other than what my mother told me, since on the day I was born, he was already on his way to Cape Town on board USS Wakefield! Following the fall of Singapore in February 1942, he was interned in Changi Prison where, to the best of my knowledge, he remained until October 31st 1942, when he left for Thailand to work on the Burma Railway. After enduring just over eight months of what must have been the most abominable treatment at the hands of the Japanese, he was initially admitted to hospital at a large base camp at Chungkai, and was convalescing in sleeping quarters in the hospital grounds when he died of cardiac beri beri on July 9th, 1943 After the war, my mother received letters of condolence from three of his commanding officers - Lieutenants Hugh A. Collins, Lieutenant Philip R. Peachey and Major Harwood Harrison. Lieutenant Collins was in command of the convalescent group my father was part of. Following his death, he examined my father's kit before the Japs took over, removing a wallet of photographs and from his hand, his signet ring. The photographs had to eventually be destroyed as, in his own words, he was 'already a marked man in the Japanese Gestapo's books and there were strict orders against possession of men's personal effects'. After the war, the signet ring was returned to my mother, who gave it to me on my 17th birthday. Whilst unlikely after all this time, I am nevertheless keen to know
if there is anyone who might remember or have known Stanley (Pat) Everett,
at any time between his enlistment in July 1940 until his death in July
1943. David Everett (November 2008) email address : dandjeverett@googlemail.com
Gunner Neil Jameson (936333) 77th HAA Regt RA (31.10.08) COFEPOW member Stuart Jameson is trying to contact or identify colleagues of his father Gnr Neil Jameson (936333) 77th HAA Regt, RA. He was from Runcorn in Cheshire and left England on the 'Empress of Australia' in 1942. Survived a train crash. POW in Fukuoka Camp #8-B (Inatsuki). Worked in the coal mine.
If you can help please contact Stuart - Email :
jameson@fsmail.net
Gunner Wlliam Henry Stones (1115610) 88th Field Regiment RA (31.10.08) COFEPOW member Gary Stones writes :- I am researching the Army
life of my father, William Henry Stones (1115610). He was in the 88th
Field Regiment Royal Artillery, left for Singapore on 1st September
1941 and was captured at the fall of Singapore. He worked on the Thai/Burma
Railway and was on the 'Rakuyo Maru' when it was sunk on the
way to Japan.. Unfortunately he now has Dementia and cannot supply any
information himself.
If you can help please contact Gary - Email g.stones@sky.com
Gunner Francis E McGoldrick 11052211
I understand a great number of the 242 Battery did not
return home and if anyone could help in identifying faces in the photo
it would be greatly appreciated.
Can you identify these men?(2.10.08) COFEPOW member Martyn Fryer writes :- The postcard below shows three men from the 5th Bn. Beds & Herts Regt and one sailor. My Grandfather Pte Walter White (5952635) is on the right, however, we do not know who the other men are. The card was pinned in the bar at the men's local pub, the Anchor, in Aspley Guise Square, Bedfordshire.It remained there for a number of years after the war when it was given to Grandfather's sister, Marge, and then passed on to my Mother.
If anyone can identify the other men please contact Martyn Fryer at justjann@westnet.com.au
Searching for a Flag Liz Ashworth writes :- My father Lance Sgt William C Barr Cochrane was the camp tailor in Kanchanaburi POW Camp at the time of the Japanese surrender. He was asked to make a Red Cross flag/banner to guide American aid planes to the dropping zone at the camp. The flag can be easily recognised as when making it William made a mistake in putting the red cross to the edges thereby producing a Swiss flag. This was rectified by putting a pelmet around the edges of the flag to make the red cross in the centre smaller. William, who is now 93, would dearly love to find out what has become of the flag. It was last heard of in a display, with other artefacts, at a hall in Ferry Road, Edinburgh in the 1950's, where it was labelled as "the work of an unknown soldier". If anyone has knowledge of the whereabouts of the flag or what has
happened to it please contact Liz by Email: lizashworth@tiscali.co.uk
Lance Bombardier Clifford Lewis 11052214 Royal Artillery(15.7.08) COFEPOW Member Trevor Lewis is seeking information about his father - L/Bdr Clifford Lewis of 242 Btty, 48th LAA Regt, RA. He was captured in Batavia, Java and later moved on to Sumatra. He was in Changi, Singapore on liberation. He died in 1953. If anyone can help please contact Trevor - Tel/Fax 0161 6788973 or Email trevorlewis05@hotmail.co.uk
Gunner Eric John Taylor 1617418 Royal Artillery(13.7.08) COFEPOW member Barbara James writes :- I am forwarding two photographs of my father Eric John Taylor who served in the Royal Artillery and was captured at Singapore and I know worked on the docks in Saigon.
The first photo is of him prior to departure and the second shows him with some comrades in Colombo where they were sent to recuperate prior to returning home at the end of the war. He was a shadow of the young man who went away and his family were shocked by his condition, even after the long and slow journey home to allow for recovery. He had had his teeth knocked out by Japanese guards for refusing to salute their flag, he had a snake bite on his leg and malaria etc. etc. I am also forwarding a copy of what was written on the reverse of the group photograph as others may recognise themselves or their loved ones. What does the '316' signify? I would dearly appreciate finding out more of what happened to my father as a prisoner. As many other COFEPOW members will understand, he told us very little about any of his experiences, except to talk about his wonderful mates and how brave the Ghurka soldiers were.
If anyone can help Barbara with information on her father please contact her by Email : bmjames142@yahoo.co.uk
Cpl George Wilkins 6910015 RAMC (attached to The Rifle Brigade)(25.5.08) Tony Wilkins writes:- I am trying to to find out more about
my grandad , Cpl George Wilkins who was a POW in Singapore for a number
of years, I believe. He was in the RAMC.and his last camp was Kranji
Camp, where he was in charge of Ward 26. I have a letter from the Austrialiaon
Red Cross dated 15th September 1946 and I am hoping somebody might be
able to help me piece together his whereabouts whilst serving in Singapore.
A copy of this letterappears below. This might assist other people because
it is signed by all those who were under his care.
If you can help Tony please contact him through Email : tony.wilkins@virgin.net 78/35th LAA Regiment RA (9.2.08) COFEPOW member Ted Marriott has kindly sent in the photograph below. It is of some of the men of the 78/35 LAA Regt RA who were all under canvas at Ashton Keynes when this photograph was taken in 1940. Ted’s father, Gunner Edward Marriott, is on the 3rd row from front, second from the right. Perhaps others may recognise their relatives from this photograph. Sadly Ted’s father died in the Far East and is buried at Labuan Cemetery on Borneo
F/O A W H ( Bill) Phillips 243 Squadron RAF (28.1.08) Allan Sleeman from Western Washington University, USA writes :- I
am doing research on A.W.H. "Bill" Phillips, M.B.E. (Military
Division), the distinguished economist and discoverer of the Phillips
curve who was born on November 18th 1914. I was a student at the LSE
1957/60 and was taught by Phillips. Although a very modest and unassuming man, Bill Phillips was friendly
and had a dry sense of humour. He also invented a sort of immersion
heater used by the prisoners to brew up before going to sleep - apparently
the Japanese were always puzzled by the dimming of the lights at that
time of night. Phillips also built and operated a radio receiver although
this was known only to a few senior officers. Phillips was a New Zealander
and there were only a few Kiwis in the camp. Phillips probably taught
Russian and attended Chinese classes. He may also have taught a class
in electrical engineering. If you can help please contact Allan - Email : asleeman@telebyte.com
'F' Force and Songkurai Camp - Burma-Thai Railway(9.1.08) COFEPOW member Phillip Wearne writes :- I am the son of a FEPOW seeking to locate any survivors of "F" Force and more specifically survivors of the camp at Songkurai just south of Three Pagodas Pass on the Burma-Thai railway. Does anyone reading this know of any such survivors? Are you one yourself? If so please contact me at phillipwearne@hotmail.com. Many thanks
Sub Lt Charles Fittock, Malayan Royal Navy Vol. Reserve(5.1.08) Charles Hallinan writes - my Grandfather, Sub Lt Charles Fittock, Malayan Royal Navy Vol Reserve, after escaping from Singapore on the 'HMS Grasshopper' was last seen in Padang, Sumatra mid to late February 1942. He gave his Rolex watch to a person unknown in Padang and said "Please give this to my wife, Kuching, and tell her I will see her in Colombo". If there is any person who might have heard of or even met my grandfather in Padang in late Feb 1942 can they please contact me. Background information : Charles Fittock was a manager for Carreras in Singapore, he was also a member of The Tanglin Club in Singapore. He was able to evacuate his wife, Kuching, and daughter Susan on a troop ship to Colombo shortly before the invasion of Singapore by virtue of the fact that he was a Sub Lieutenant in the Malayan Royal Naval Vol. Reserve. if anyone can help please contact Charles. Email : charlie.hallinan@googlemail.com
Arthur Henry Carpenter - Loyal Regiment (10.11.07) COFEPOW Member Valerie Hill writes:- I would very much like
to hear from any FEPOW who served with my father, Arthur Henry Carpenter.
He was attached to the Loyal Regiment and I know from historical records
he was captive in the following camps:- My father never spoke of his time as a FEPOW and so I have very little knowledge. I am particularly keen to know his typical day and duties and how he was repatriated. I have searched, without luck, to find out the type of camp that Nakom Nai was. Has anyone heard of it? I know that my father made a lifelong friend from his days as a FEPOW, a gentleman by the name of Stan. My father invited him to my wedding on 1st April 1967. My father died in 1972 and I don't remember hearing any more about Stan. I am keen to trace him or his family but am sorry that I have no information on his surname or where he lived although he must have been somewhere on the outskirts of our family home in Wimbledon. If you can help please contact Valerie - Email :- whizz.ted@btopenworld.com
Arthur R V Cooper & Tertius (11.10.07) Corinne Fenton writes:-I am writing a children's book about a gibbon ape called Tertius, who was the treasured pet of Arthur R. V. Cooper a British Foreign linguist who worked for the FECB in Hong Kong, then in May 1941he moved to the FECB in Singapore. I am wondering whether anyone remembers Art Cooper either in Hong Kong (where he worked for Charles Boxer and was a friend of the writer Emily Hahn) or Singapore. Apparently he carried Tertius around with him everywhere, so possibly someone will remember seeing him in either Hong Kong or Singapore. He left Singapore early in February 1942 (I have conflicting information of him departing anywhere between 2nd - 11 th/12th February) but I do know he boarded the 'SS Edendale' on 23rd February in Batavia and arrived in Fremantle, Australia on 5th March 1942. He was most likely travelling with Lt Com E. H. M. Colegrave and of course Tertius. If anyone can help please contact Corinne Email :
corinneking@bigpond.com
Flying Officer Hugo Sutherland-Kolb - RAF Volunteer
Reserve (4.10.07) In one of his camps he was part of a small group which raided a Red
Cross Stores for much needed supplies, withheld by the Japanese.
Edward James Iron - 49 Battery, 48th LAA Regiment,
RA (3.10.07)
William Howard Start - HMS Colossus (25.9.07)
If you have any information please contact Howard
Gunner 1700066 James (Jim) Smelt 35th LAA Regt RA 144 Btty (2.8.07)
If you can help please contact Jim, Email : jdsmelt@hotmail.com
Godfrey Sommerfield RA (30.7.07) COFEPOW member, Glen Robb, is seeking information on Godfrey Sommerfield who was a POW with his father, Joseph Robb. They were both from Glasgow and both attended Hillhead High School. if anyone can help please contact Glen - Email : glendalerobb@aol.com
LAC Herbert John Lester 850539 COFEPOW member Christine Broadhurst has discovered this old photograph of her father with other ex - POWs. She believes it was taken at RAF Cosford. Christine's father, Herbert Lester, is sitting on the grass in front of the group. Christine wonders if anyone can identify any of the others in the group. If so, please contact Christine whose address is: - 31 Meadowhill Crescent, Riverside, Redditch, Worcestershire, B98
8HT. Tel : 01527 456828
Private Glyn Jones 3534703 COFEPOW member Helen Carr has sent in the following photograph of her father, Private Glyn Jones, with other members of the Manchester Regiment. The photograph was taken in Singapore before its fall and Helen wonders if anyone can identify others in the group. If you can help please contact Helen - Email : helen.carr@merseymail.com
Captain George Mulock DSO, RN, FRGS (1881-1963) (31.3.07) I am seeking information relating to my uncle Captain Mulock who
served as Extended Defences Officer at Fort Canning and was Head of
Extended Defences for Singapore from 1939-1942. The Captain was heavily
involved with Naval Intelligence in addition to his assigned station
and I would particularly welcome contact from any survivors who may
have been on his staff in Singapore. In addition, Captain Mulock
under the command of Rear-Admiral E J Spooner was responsible
for the requisition and embarkation of ships due to leave the colony
between the beginning of February and the Fall on the 15th, if anyone
has information on these survivors from ships such as 'Vyner Brooke',
'Empress of Asia', 'Empire Star', indeed any ship that participatred
in either the 'Empire Star' flotilla or the so-called "Spooner's
little ships" I would like to hear from you. With thanks e-mail: mullockmorgans@yahoo.co.uk
EVACUATION OF SINGAPORE ( 20.1.07) David Hope writes - I am researching this topic and hope you could please post this request for information on your website. I live in Singapore and my research is focused around the evacuation records documented by HK Rodgers who was the Chairman, Harbour Boards, Straits Settlements who escaped in the "TENGARROH" on the 14th of February 1942 at 1.30 am under heavy shelling. I am looking to document stories and recover as many images or personal accounts possible associated with these records. Specifically the names of the ships and vessels I am researching include:- BAGAN - Harbour Board ferry Steamer LABURNUM MATA HARI KUALA TENGARROH - yacht built in 1929 for the sultan of Jahore CHARON M.L 130 (Rear Admiral Spooner was on board this vessel) SHU KURAIG KUNG WOH SHU KWANG HMS DANAE (could also be DANAO) HMS KEDAH KPM Steamer HOON HOOA WU CHANG CITY of MANCHESTER ZAADAM (Dutch Steamer) MALACCA TANJONG PINANG For any information please contact David Hope at davidahope@gmail.com . Thank you
Lance Corporal Denis Hood - No.1 Coy. Malaya Command Signals (17.11.06) Janet Still writes :- My father, Denis Hood, was in the Far
East and returned home to Ealing, London on the "Corfu". I
have a photo from the Evening Standard of the 8th October 1945
of my father with :- My father was in No. 2 POW Camp, Thailand. Are there others alive who knew him, or their families? If you can help please contact Janet - Email :
janetstill@tiscali.co.uk
John Forgione Pte 5573524 4th Bn Royal Norfolks (30.10.06) COFEPOW member Mary Michael writes :- My dad was with "B' Company
4th Royal Norfolks 18th Division. His name is a bit unusual, so someone
could possibly remember seeing the name somewhere. Private 5573524 John
Forgione (he was born in Ireland). He was captured with all the
others on February 15th 1942 in Singapore. He did survive the camps
and return to England, he was released to Lt. Col. Eachern on September
9th 1945. Lt. Col. Knights was his Bn.CO. He was with Work Group 2 on
the Railway and was at Changi, Bang Pong, Chungkai etc. (he was involved
in sabotage at the kilometers Lin Lin, Nam Chon Yai, Tha Mayo, &
Kroengkrai) Thought it might be worth a try to see if anyone does recall
him. or Email :- Mmarymichael@aol.com
"SS Orion" and E J H Corner (23.10.06) COFEPOW member John Corner was evacuated from Singapore with his mother in December 1941. They left on the "SS Orion" which sailed from Singapore in December 1941and arrived in Fremantle, Australia on 6th January 1942. John would welcome hearing from anyone else who was on the "SS Orion" at this time. John's father, E J H Corner, was the Deputy Director of the Straits Settlements Botanic Gardens at the Fall of Singapore and was captured by the Japanese and interned in Changi. He had been in Singapore from 1927. As Singapore fell it is said that the Governor, Sir Shenton Thomas, gave him a 'pencilled note' to take to the Japanese to ask that the Botanical Gardens and the Records be looked after and not lost. As a result John's father was not interned but left to care for the Gardens although he had to wear a badge identifying him as an 'Enemy Alien'. Apparently there was some ill-feeling from the POWs towards John's father and the few other people labelled as 'Enemy Aliens'. John would like to hear from anyone with information relating to his father and his life in Singapore up to its Fall and during its period of occupation. In particular John would like to know if anyone else saw the 'pencilled note' or can give any information about it.. John can be contacted at :- astley22@bigpond.net.au
William Dickenson - 4th Bn Suffolk Regt (23.10.06) COFEPOW member, William Dickenson, would like to know if anyone can recognise the people on these photographs. If you can help please contact Carol Cooper -Email :- Carol.Cooper@cofepow.org.uk
Alexander Hospital, Singapore - late September 1945 - William is front row far right
Bangalore Hospital, India - October / early November 1945 - William is middle row far left
Norman Grice (11.10.06) Winson Saw is trying to trace any descendants of Norman Grice who was interned in Changi in 1942. He subsequently became Resident Commissioner of Penang in 1946. If anyone can help please Email :- bruce19@streamyx.com
Sir Shenton-Thomas (10.9.06) COFEPOW member John Corner would like to locate & contact any surviving family of Sir Shenton-Thomas, who was the Governor of Singapore pre- war & during the war. He was interned. If you can help please contact John, Email :- astley22@bigpond.net.au
315 Btty 5th Searchlight Regt RA (2.9.06) COFEPOW member David Kent would like any information on the above Unit and his father Bdr Arthur Penn, Service No. 2033081, particularly relating to any action they were involved in prior to the Fall of Singapore. If anyone can help please contact David by Email :- david_kent11@hotmail.com
Edward (Ted) Marriott - 78/35th Regt LAA RA (31.7.06) COFEPOW member Ted Marriott (Junior) writes :- Does anyone know, or have relatives, that could help me trace my dad's gun crew of the 78/35th LAA RA. ('B'Troop) ?The story on the Far Eastern Heroes page, "Freedom Loosens the Memory", runs parallel to my dad's up until the author was shipped to Japan. The author never gave his name. My dad, Gnr Edward (Ted) Marriott landed in Singapore, then was sent to Sumatra, then Batavia, where they were captured, then to Changi and finally to Batu Lintang camp in Sarawak, Borneo where he died in 1945. I speak to two heroes who were in the camp and in the same regt, but they do not know of the gun crew. I would be grateful if anyone knew him would please mail me. THANKS.....TED Email : edward.marriott2@ntlworld.com
Bill Spooner - Hong Kong 1941 (8.7.06) COFEPOW member David Stanford is writing a book on his family's history including his Grandfather, CSM Frederick 'Sammy' Stanford of the 2nd Bn Royal Scots, who was captured by the Japanese at the Fall of Hong Kong and subsequently died in the sinking of the "Lisbon Maru". David is trying to contact a Bill Spooner who it appears was a friend or associate of 'Sammy' Stanford. If you can help with information on Bill Spooner or any other information regarding David's grandfather up to and during the Fall of Hong Kong please contact David - Email :- stanford@djkl.fsnet.co.uk
Photograph - 12th Coast Regiment ? (30.5.06) COFEPOW member Ron Brooks writes :-
OFFICERS TRAINING CORPS ? (30.5.06) Can anyone identify this photograph or the men in it? It is believed to be of an Officers' Training Corps in Singapore. COFEPOW member Malcolm Read thinks his father, who was in the SSVF, is on the back row 6th from the right.
To view a larger version of the photograph - Click here If anyone can help please contact COFEPOW - Email : Carol.Cooper@cofepow.org.uk
ASO Mine at Fukuoka #26 Camp (Keisen, Yoshikuma) (26.5.06) It seems there is much recent interest in the Aso Mine at Fukuoka #26 (Keisen, Yoshikuma), and the Brits & Aussies who were there. Would anyone happen to know of any British or Australian POWs who were at this camp, or books written? The main interest is due to the name "Aso" and the relationship
to the present-day Foreign Minister of Japan, Taro Aso. Thanks for any leads you can offer. Wes Injerd - Email: winjerd@comcast.net
Gunner Thomas Menzies I have acquired a postcard sent from Thomas Menzies (Rank -
Gunner) from No. 4 POW Camp, Thailand to Mrs T Menzies, 15 Croalchapel,
Closeburn, Dumfrieshire, passed by the British censor and the Japanese
censor. Would this be of interest to anyone? Peter Titheridge Email: titheridge@onetel.com
Jack Ford - 4th Suffolk Regiment Nicholas Samson writes - Can anyone help please? My father-in-law is trying to trace details of his father - Jack Ford - Private, who served with the 4th Suffolks and was captured and imprisoned in Changi at the fall of Singapore. His duties whilst in Changi, saw him acting as a medic. He was subsequently transferred to Hokkaido Island, Japan in May 1943. His route to Hakkaido, we think, took him through Moje, to Muroran and finally held at Hakadate. If anyone has any information, we would love to hear from you. Please email me:
Nicholas.m.Samson@btinternet.com
Pte Frederick George Hale - 5th Bn Bedfordshire & Hertfordshire Regiment Alexander Peck writes - I am trying to research as much as possible into the life of Pte Frederick George Hale, 5951764, 5th Bn., Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Regiment. Any information relating to Fred or his regiment, or indeed any information about the 18th Division (Fred's battalion was part of 55th Brigade) would be appreciated. I am particularly interested about his time as a POW and any information as regards to the camps that he served in or indeed the work he did as a POW would be most helpful and gratiously accepted.
Please send any information to alexandergpeck@yahoo.co.uk
Harry Leonard Watson I am trying to trace the son of late Harry Leonard Watson, he will also be the grandson of Reginald M. Filmer. Harry Watson died in Palembang POW Camp, Sumatra in 1944 as a Japanese Prisoner of War. I think that prior to capture he was at H.M. Naval Base, Singapore, so it seems possible that he was in the Navy. I believe Harry lived in Bath, Somerset before the war and had connections in Darlington, Co. Durham. COFEPOW has been donated many artefacts for the new Far East Prisoners of War Memorial Building and a bible, once belonging to Harry Watson has come into my hands. I know he had a son, but not his name or his whereabouts, if he is still alive. I would dearly like to return this bible to Harry's son or any member of the family, can anyone help trace him. Thank you. Carol Cooper COFEPOW Chairman - Email Carol.Cooper@cofepow.org.uk
35th Regt LAA (78 Btty) & Kuching POW Camp Alan Jordan writes:- i would like to hear from any ex-serviceman (or family & friends) who shared my late father's WWII experiences on joining 35th LAA Regt (78 Btty) RA and/or in Kuching POW Camp (Borneo) after his capture on Java in 1942. I would be interested in any personal photographs, documents, books etc. which give some insight into his Army service. If you can help please Email pljordan20@yahoo.co.uk or write to A Jordan at Higher Lodge, North Molton, Devon, EX36 3HP. Thank you.
Jack Ford - 4th Suffolk Regiment Can anyone help please. My father-in-law is trying to trace details of his father - Jack Ford
- Private, who served with the 4th Suffolks and was captured and imprisoned
in Changi at the fall of Singapore. His duties whilst in Changi, saw
him acting as a medic. He subsequently was transferred to Hokkaido Island, Japan in May 1943. His route to Hakkaido, we think, took him through Moje, to Muroran and finally held at Hakadate. If anyone has any information, we would love to hear from you. Please email me: Nicholas.m.Samson@btinternet.com
Lt Col (Jake) John Corbet Yale Andrew Yale writes :- I would like to hear from anyone who knew Lt Col (Jake) John Corbet Yale , the Command Hong Kong & Singapore Royal Artillery who was killed on 20th December 1941. Please contact AndrewCJYale@aol.com
Lt Col Edward Barclay Holmes COFEPOW member Rebecca Bennett writes ;- I am looking for any memories, information or anecdotes about my great grandfather, Edward Barclay Holmes (1892 - 1964). He was commanding officer of the 1st Manchester Battalion (machine gun) and part of the Singapore Fortress under Malaya Command. After capture, when the senior officers were sent to Formosa, Holmes was appointed to command British and Australian troops in Changi. We know very little of his personal experiences during these years as he didn't speak about them at all on his return after the war. His wife and daughter went for two years with no knowledge of where he was or even if he was alive. A few things I have been able to find out are that in October 1943 he was admitted to hospital - not sure what this was for or for how long - and then on 24th July 1944 he was replaced by Lt Col Newey of the Singapore Volunteers as representative officer in charge of camp administration. Holmes was himself a Freemason and allowed meetings and other activities in Changi. We also have a photograph of him with Mountbatten in Singapore at the end of the war (possibly 2nd week of September 1945 ) but I haven't found details anywhere yet of Mountbatten's visit to Changi. Does anyone remember him or know the names of any other POWs who he would have worked alongside in the camp or know of any others in the 1st Manchester Battalion? Any assistance would be very much appreciated. I visit Singapore in September and would like as much information as I can get before I go. Anyone who can help should please Email Rebecca Bennett at alexander.n.bennett@btinternet.com
Robert Guy & Margaret Young Davidson Drew Davidson writes:- My great aunt and her husband, Robert Guy & Margaret Young m.s. Davidson were rubber planters in Malaya. The family never heard anything from them after the war. The family verbal history stated that their son was a pilot like his father and was killed. Margaret met and married Robert in Edinburgh, Scotland in 1919 where Robert was a lieutenant in the RAF. His address on the marriage certificate was given as The Manse, Kuala Lumpur, Federated Malaysian States. Margaret had occasionally written to her brother in Canada before the war and had sent a couple of photos, one below, which I think shows Robert and Margaret and maybe their son.
Any assistance on finding what happened to them would be appreciated. Please contact : - macdhaibhidh@blueyonder.co.uk
77th HAA Regiment RA COFEPOW member Kathleen Booth writes :- "My late father, Harry Hamer, was captured on Java on March 1942. He spent about 7 months at Camp No. 9, Tanjong Priok before being transported to Japan on the 'Singapore Maru'. He spent the rest of the War working in the coal mine at Ohama Camp on Honshu Island. This Camp was variously numbered Fukuoka No. 9, Fukuoka No. 4 and Hiroshima No. 9. I would love to hear from anyone who can remember my father or who recognises anyone on the photos below ( taken at the beginning of September 1945). Can anyone tell me how many of the 77th HAA went to Java and how many returned from each of the 3 Batteries? Or where I could find out this information , as the 77th HAA no longer exists." Contact : Mrs Kathleen Booth, 58 Oaklands Avenue, Heanor, Derby, DE75 7BB
The Fall of Hong Kong & 2nd Battalion Royal Scots COFEPOW member David Stanford writes :- I would be grateful to receive any stories relating to any or all of the following topics:- 2nd Battalion Royal Scots - what life was like in India and Hong Kong, socially, economically, ex-pat life in general. Evacuation stories to Australia and New Zealand, especially prior to the Japanese attack. Absolutely anything to do with conditions in Hong Kong in pre-war years and up to the attack. Any memories that anyone has regarding 2nd Batt. and if there are any about C Coy then wonderful. I am trying to get a general overview of the life, times and events leading up to the fall of Hong Kong. Anyone with memories or stories which would be useful to my project please send to :- stanford@djkl.fsnet.co.uk or to - 2 Montrose Avenue, Welling , Kent, DA16 2QZ
Experiences after demobilization and Civil Resettlement Units My name is Alan Allport and I'm a British Ph.D. history student at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia. I'm researching the experience of demobilized British ex-servicemen (including ex-POWs) in the immediate aftermath of World War II. The Second World War is a big part of our popular culture today, but it's surprising just how little has ever been written about what happened to ex-servicemen after they were demobbed and returned to civvy street. How easily did they readjust to lives that had been rudely abandoned up to six years before? What were the difficulties involved in getting home, finding a job and a place to live, and settling down again into family life? These are some of the questions I'm trying to address. I hope eventually to turn my research into a book. The challenges facing ex-POWs, particularly those from the Far East, were probably greater than those of any other group of demobilized men, but there's virtually no historical record of what happened to them after their return to the UK. For example, the government at the time did try to take their special needs into account by creating voluntary Civil Resettlement Units (CRUs) as an aid to rehabilitation,and I know that tens of thousands of former POWs entered these units for various lengths of time; but how effective were they? The record is currently blank. It's the process of resettlement at the individual human level - often a traumatic experience - that I'm trying to recapture for posterity. I would be extremely grateful if any COFEPOW members would be willing to contact me to provide information about their own, or a relative's, experiences following World War II demob. I am hoping to arrange face-to-face interviews with former POWs next year, but even a letter or email would be invaluable. If you are interested in helping me with my research please contact me at my email address allport@sas.upenn.edu or at - Alan Allport, 73 High Street, Hook, Goole, E Yorks, DN14 5PA. All mail will receive prompt response and will be treated in the strictest confidence.
Malayan / Singapore Volunteer Forces (FMSVF & SSVF ) I am searching for copies of 'The Volunteer' (FMSVF) and 'The SSVF Journal' of the Straits Settlements Volunteer Force. If anyone has any copies they no longer want and are looking for a good home for them I would be delighted to look after them. Alternatively if I could borrow your copies to photocopy I would be extremely grateful. Paul Riches: E-mail: paul@far-eastern-volunteers.co.uk
Information required on 'Pow-Wow
and 'The Scrounger' Letter received by COFEPOW from Roger Bourke Please let me introduce myself: I am a researcher with the University of Western Australia's department of English, Communication and Cultural Studies. I recently completed my Ph.D, 'The Last Subject in the World : Fiction of the Prisoner-of-War Experience under the Japanese', and I am now adapting the thesis for possible publication as a book. During my research, I came across some interesting material about two prisoner newsletters that were published by the civilian internees in Changi: 'Pow-Wow' and 'The Scrounger'. 'Pow-Wow' was the women's newsletter, published briefly in Changi Prison by the well-known Freddy Bloom, and is described in her published diary, 'Dear Philip: A Diary of Captivity, Changi, 1942-45' (London: The Bodley Head, 1980) and by the journalist Leslie Bell in his 'Destined Meeting' (London: Odhams Press, 1959). 'The Scrounger' seems to have been the men's newsletter, published either in Changi Prison or, later, in Sime Road camp. I have found no published references to it and just a single reference on the Internet, which states that shortly after the war in 1945 a 'souvenir edition' was published in Singapore. I would like, through you, to make an appeal for further information about 'Pow-Wow' and 'The Scrounger'. I would be particularly keen to hear from anyone who has actual copies of either of these newsletters. I would greatly appreciate your help with this request. My postal address is:- Roger Bourke Many thanks and best regards Roger Bourke
Lieutenant Canute Phillips LARSON 2/12 Frontier Force Regiment. Assistant Brigade Major 8th.Indian Infantry Brigade ( 9th. Indian Infantry Division) Kota Bahru, Malaya April 1941 to February 1942. Company Commander 2/9 Jats Regiment (15th.Brigade) February 1942. Missing during escape attempt from Bukit Timah area 12/13th February 1942. Any sighting, meeting, or anything else please contact :- Trevor Austin - Email :
ktaustin@11greeenlane.freeserve.co.uk
'SS Zaandaam' Received from COFEPOW member Nigel Killeen "I see that COFEPOW has a list of ships involved in SE Asia. This
states that the 'SS Zaandam' arrived in Fremantle 6th March 1942.
Elsewhere I have read that she was a Dutch merchant vessel sunk by torpedo
off the coast of Brazil on 2/11/1942. Anyone who can help should contact Nigel at nigelk@dplanet.ch or contact COFEPOW
48th LAA Regiment RA Keith Clarke would like to postively identify the photograph which appears on this website under 'Armed Forces - 48th LAA'. This was thought to be 242 Battery but may be 95 Battery. If anyone can help please contact Keith - keithclarke@btinternet.com.
Women & Children Escapees from Singapore in January 1942 by air The following letter has been sent to COFEPOW by member Mary Harris :- "I would like to contact any women and children who remember staff at Raffles College, Singapore and/or who left Singapore in January or February 1942 by air. My father was Norman Alexander, Professor of Physics at Raffles College and he was interned as a civilian in Changi because, although a Volunteer, he was acting as Scientific Advisor to the Singapore Government up to the Fall. At the very end, he was working in the General Hospital as a volunteer because he had the skills to keep the X-ray machines going. When not doing that he acted as an orderly. Other Raffles College staff became POWs and many worked on the Railway as well. My mother, Elizabeth, was also a scientist and did work both in geology and in Radio Direction Finding at the Naval Base until January 1942. She and her three small children (I am the middle one) left by flying boat some time in the middle of January to go to my father's family in New Zealand. Her plan was to leave us in safety and return to Singapore with some secret radar gear from Sydney, but Singapore had fallen by the time we arrived. In New Zealand she took work in radar research and during that time she kept a diary which I am now preparing for publication. Now that records have been de-classified her work is being recognised as very significant in the field of radar history. I am writing my book entirely from the point of view of what happens to women and children in Wars and what happened in this War in particular. I intend to include childrens' memories of the escape, the experiences of women escapees (not internees this time), the lives they made for themselves, often under very difficult circumstances and the problems they had looking after traumatised husbands on their release. There is very little in the massive literature of those times on what the women and children suffered and I intend trying to redress the balance at least a little." Anyone who can help should please contact Mary at mary@maryeharris.plus.com
James Colin Walter Elliott - 1st/5th Sherwood Foresters Colin Elliott writes :- " My late father James Colin Walter Elliott of the 1st / 5th Sherwood Foresters was captured and became a POW in Changi. He passed away some 32 years ago in Roehampton Hospital from the injuries and medical condition caused by his time as a POW I am trying to find out about his regiment and anyone who may have known or served with him." If anyone can help please contact Colin - Email :- explok9@hotmail.com
Jewish FEPOWs Martin Sugarman, Archivist of the Association of Jewish Ex-Servicemen
and Women of the UK (AJEX) Museum is seeking information on Jewish
British and Commonwealth Far East Prisoners of War including civilians
and Dutch citizens. Anyone who can help should contact Martin.
2nd Battalion Royal Scots David Stanford is seeking ANY information from any survivors or people with stories that relate to the following topics :- 2nd Bat. Royal Scots in Hong Kong/India pre-1941 and/or Lisbon Maru 2nd Bat. Royal Scots in Osaka docks who survived the Lisbon Maru 2nd Bat. Royal Scots 'C' Company in the defence of Hong Kong 8th - 25th December 1941 and finally...any evacuees, whose fathers/husbands/brothers were members of the Royal Scots (2nd Bat. if possible), who were shipped to Australia via Manila shortly before the capitulation of Hong Kong. All replies to stanford@djkl.fsnet.co.uk
Norman Isaac Winning MBE Kevin Bovill writes :- I am a researcher at the Army museum in Perth, Western Australia. I would like to contact any civilian who had any form of contact with the large Anglo-Dutch plantation company the Pamanukan en Tjiasemlanden. (P&T). I am seeking information about NORMAN ISSAC WINNING MBE. A Scot born at Oban in 1906 and employed by the P&T pre and post war. He worked around the Subang, West Java and was killed at the Sumur Barang plantation on the 5th December 1950. The subject of my quest was known to many who were interned in 1942-45. In her book 'Java Nightmare', Dorothy Jackson mentions the Leslie family. I was able to contact a member who could recall Norman but was too old to be of any assistance. As many of the P&T employees and families were interned and returned to Java post-war there may be a member of COFEPOW who can remember him and possibly attended his funeral or know something of the company policy regarding burials at Subang. Norman Winning was not a POW but came to Australia and served with
distinction in the If anyone can help please contact Kevin Bovill - Email: kbovill@iinet.net.au
Gunner John Waite Guy - HAA -RA Gloria Howell writes :- I would be most grateful if you could advise
me of any other sites I could visit for information regarding my father
and/or his prisoner of war camp and friends. Surname: GUY Forenames: John Waite Date of Birth: 20th June 1915 If you can help please contact Gloria Howell - Email: grailandpreece@btconnect.com
1653703 Gunner Harold Gissing 49 LAA Regt RA Brian Gissing is seeking information on his father Harold who served with 49 Btty, 49 LAA Regt RA. He was killed during February 1942 at Kalidjati Airfield, Jakarta. Brian would particularly like to trace any photographs in which his father appears. Anyone who can help should please contact Brian - BPGissing@aol.com
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COFEPOW
member Stuart Jameson writes:- this photo was found in a collection
of items brought back by my Dad, Neil Jameson, 77th HAA Regt, RA, from
his "jaunt" in Japan.
COFEPOW
member David Everett writes:- I am interested in locating anyone who
would still remember my father, Stanley Albert Everett, also known as
'Pat'. He enlisted on July 26th 1940 and I can only assume, having followed
the progress of the 5th Suffolk Regiment from that date until departing
for Singapore on October 29th 1941, that he would have been stationed
at North Walsham (Norfolk), Fulbourne (Cambridgeshire), Hawick (Scotland),
Knowsley Park (Lancashire) and finally, Leominster (Herefordshire).
Howard
Start writes :- My father, William Howard Start (CHICKO), served
aboard 'HMS COLOSSUS' as Quarter Master and was in Mess 2 Port Side
from her commissioning until 1946. He took part in the repatriation
of POWs and internees to Colombo in 1945 and would like to know if anyone
could identify the young Dutch girl in this photo. He believes she had
two sisters who may have been teachers and that her mother and father
survived the war. Most of the crew of 'Colossus' were detailed to a
family or individuals to act as pals. This photo was taken on the flight
deck of 'Colossus' in Colombo. Any information about the family or other
members of the crew would be of great interest to him.
Jim
Smelt has a photograph of his father, also Jim, taken before he became
a prisoner of the Japanese. Jim's father died on Ballalae Island in
the Solomon Islands in 1943. Can anyone identify the other men, Jim's
father is on the left looking at the photograph.
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