|
Ken Heyes
Any comments:
Email: G. Crew
glen@powerup.com.au
|
|
POW MESSAGES & INFO: |
Thanks to all those sending in
messages. Unfortunately I have no way of assisting anyone to find
information or people but am happy to publish letters in the hope
that someone will read them and be able to assist. Please include a
contact email address for people to be able to contact you.
|
|
Ronald C. Parker, the son of a WWll Hong Kong veteran, has
written a book that tells the wrenching story of one of the
great battles of World War ll , “DEADLY DECEMBER, The Battle of
Hong Kong ”. He is the son of Major Maurice A. Parker, Commanding Officer
of “D” Company, The Royal Rifles of Canada. The author was
born on April 28, 1939 in Quebec City. He spent 7 1/2 years
in the 57th Loc. Bty., RCA(Militia). He moved to London,
Ontario in 1962 where he resides with his family to this
day.
On December 8th, 1941, hours after the Japanese attacked Pearl
Harbor, they launched an air attack on the British Crown Colony
of Hong Kong. For the first time the saga is told from a Canadian
perspective, using the words of those soldiers who fought
that, long ago, almost forgotten battle. Some 50,000 battle-tested Japanese soldiers stood poised on the
mainland waiting to storm Fortress Hong Kong. It was defended by
15,000 inexperienced British, Indian, and local militia troops ,
along with Canadian soldiers from The Royal Rifles of Canada and
The Winnipeg Grenadiers. This is their story.
This book DEADLY DECEMBER is dedicated to his Dad, and to all
the brave men and women who fought The Battle of Hong Kong. It
is meant to keep the memory of those men and women alive.
This book is published by Lulu, founded in 2002; Lulu ( www.lulu.com),
is the world’s fastest-growing provider of print-on-demand
books. Lulu provides a market place for struggling authors. They
need not struggle more.
Follow this link to http://www.lulu.com/content/561522 to purchase the book.
To contact Ronald C. Parker:
rcwp2000@yahoo.ca |
I
am enclosing a copy of my father's war diary for you to read. It
might answer some questions people have.
Garnet Murphey
pettibone48@yahoo.com
Note: Click here for the full diary.
|
I am trying to find information for my grandmother on Mr Timothy
Keene/Keane (unsure of spelling) who was a Japanese POW. they
were good friends before the war. he last visited my grandmother
approx. 28 years ago, he was then living in St Ives,
Cambridgeshire. any information would be greatly appreciated,
thankyou. sophgray@gmail.com
|
Dear Glen,
I am trying to find any information about my grandfather who i am
told was in a Japanese POW camp. I never met him as he survived the
camp but died before i was born. Hi name was Joseph Frederick
Charles Hammond and apparently was a corporal in the British Army.
If anybody knew him, or can give me any information about him, i
would be extremely grateful.
Thank You, Julie Hudson
|
I
am looking for information about Private George McCann (S/99028 of
the 6th RASC K Division Field Bakery). George, from Coatbridge,
Lanarkshire, Scotland, was a POW in Java in 1942. He was taken to
Ambon and apparently died in 1944 on board ship returning from Ambon
to Java, After the war he was officially reported to have died on
6th September 1944 and buried at sea. His name is on the memorial at
Singapore, for those who have no known graves. However his family
were later told by a soldier who had been on the same ship, that
George's body (along with the body of at least one other soldier, an
officer) was taken off the ship at Makassar and buried there. George
sailed from the Clyde (probably at the end of 1941 ) in the
Caernarvon Castle, which stopped in South Africa. They went on
to Java where they became prisoners of war under the Japanese. They
were then taken to Ambon, Apparently George worked in the
kitchens in Ambon but then became ill and was carried on board,
possibly on the 30th August 1944. He did not make it back to Java.
George was twenty-six at his death.
If anyone has any information or recollections of George we would be
very grateful. My mother, who is the last of all his brothers and
sisters, is now in her eighties, and it would give her comfort to
know even a little more about what happened to him. She is
particularly distressed that her family were told in the official
letter that he was buried at sea when it seems he may have been
buried in Makassar. She did try to find out more a number of
years ago and received help from several kind people, but we thought
that with the resources of the internet we might find out a little
more. Yours sincerely,
Anne
isamc@mac.com
|
Hi
Glen,
My grandpa served in 13 AGH in WWII and was imprisoned in Changi
soon after the fall of Singapore. I believe that he worked on
the Burma railroad. His name was Arthur Howes (a.k.a. Len)and he
died 23 years ago from a war related illness. I was only 7 years old
at the time and I regret that I never had the chance to speak to him
about his experiences (although my family have told me that he found
it very difficult to do so anyway). I would love to hear from anyone
who knew my pa. I miss him every day of my life and I would love to
know his story so that I can one day pass it on to my children and
my children's children.
I can be contacted at
moniqueffb@optusnet.com.au
|
Glen,
If you don't mind posting this on your page - I have two areas of
interest: 1 Field Bakery AASC and a Gunner Len Buckley.
I have letters from a Mrs Annie Mary Buckley to my Grandfather,
Lloyd Charles Daniels (QX9960), written in 1945. Annie is asking
Lloyd as to the whereabouts of her son, Leonard Buckley (QX18759).
Lloyd has informed her that Len died at Tambaya.
I am interested in contacting anyone who may have the letters that
Lloyd sent to Annie in response to the letters now in my possession.
I have contacted Len's family, who were very helpful and patient,
but have been unable to find these letters. They may be in the
possession of Len's fiancé Bess, whose surname I unfortunately don't
know.
I've seen all of Len's records etc at NAA and have done significant
research into his movements, and that of my grandfather, during
their time as prisoners of the Japanese. However, a copy of the
letters from Lloyd to Annie Mary would be extremely valuable to me,
as would any correspondence from Len and Lloyd's mutual friends Jim
Leeke and Fred Medhurst.
I'm also extremely interested in contacting any survivors from 1st
Field Bakery, Malaya, the unit in which Lloyd served, or any
reletives, or anyone with personal experience of any of these men.
Anyone with any information whatsoever on either of these matters is
welcome to drop me a line at
budgroover2000@yahoo.com.au
Thank you, keep up the good work.
|
Hi
Glen
I am looking for information about my uncle; Or photos of hes unit,
and any current surving members that I may write to. I have been
trying to get hold of a hard copy of a book called - WE WERE THE
FIRST written about hes unit. As they were the fisrt offcial
commandoe unit raised in Australia.
Douglas John Little
1 Independant Commandoe Company
NX30647
Enlistment - 1 July 1942
World war 2
POW - Rabaul
Beleive to have lost hes life on the japanese prison ship MONTIVIDEO
MARU. With another 1200 poor souls. I to am called Douglas John
Little named after my dads brother. And have served 22 years in the
ARA. I have done overseas operational deployments. And currently now
serve as ARes member. Currently I work for the Australian Public
service in defence. My dad is currently 76 years old, the yougest of
12 children, with six still being alive. He was just a child when
hes brother left for the war. It would mean alot to him if we could
get hold of a contact that may have some information about our
enquiry's. Thankyou for any assistance's.
Regards
Doug Little
PH: 02 96004828
|
Dear Sir, I came across your website, and was wondering if somebody
would be able to help me. I am seeking information on Bombadier
William Lynn Gibson, of the 8th Division, 2/10th Field Regiment
A.I.F. He was captured during the Fall of Singapore, incarcerated in
Changi, and then worked on the Burma Railway until the end of World
War Two. He was my Grandfather. I would dearly like to hear from
anyone who served alongside him to tell me about him. I never got to
meet him, and would just like to know about him. I would be
extremely grateful for any assistance. Many thanks. Kind regards,
Anne Gibson
anniemuffybone@yahoo.com
|
My
father, James Robinson, was a captain in the Bedfordshire and
Hertfordshire regiment. He was captured at Singapore and spent three
years on the Burma Siam railway. He died in 1980.
I would most grateful if anyone who knew him could provide me with
information about what happened to him during his captivity.
david.robinson1605@ntlworld.com
|
I
would greatly like to hear from anyone who has still survived the
life we led in Banka Island and later in and around Palembang. I
would also like to hear whether any of all those we buried in
nothing but bamboo were lster given a proper grave.
Thank you
johnw4@btinternet.com
|
I
am trying to find out about my Grandfathers RCAF service and so far
I have hit a wall he was a POW in Java and his name was Donald
Raymond Rice he was a native of Canada and meet my Grandmother while
posted in N/Wales and never went back to Canada only for Holidays so
if you know of any sites I might be able to go to to try and find
out information I would be grateful if you could let me know my
E-Mail is
robfourone@yahoo.co.uk
Thank you David Roberts
|
Hello, I am looking for anyone who might have some info about my
grand father, this is the only info that I have: His name Andries
Jacobus Diehl, born 01/03/1909 in Den Haag, The Netherlands. Died on
06/22/1943 at the Birma Railroad KM 18 ( NOW KNOWN AS THAILAND) Left
on 05/18/1927 to the Dutch west indies
His military ID # 85677.Thank you, Shirley Spinello - Diehl
airaruba@earthlink.net
|
Sir, Have just found your web site and wish to gather information on
an old friend who was twice torpedoed finally ending up as a POW on
Java until war end. I'm not certain of his British regiment. He was
Ken Biddulph and died of heart failure in Rhodesia in 1982. He has
surviving family and I hope to gather some information for them.
Name of camp/s etc. Thank you, Dave Webber
WebbDav4@aol.com
|
HI
INTERESTING SITE, CAN I LEAVE DETAILS OF MY DAD HE WAS CAPTURED AT
JAVA, HAS NO KNOWN GRAVE - GUNNER ERNEST CROFT RA FROM ABBEY WOOD,
ANY ONE KNEW HIM LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU,
Ray
raycroft1@supanet.com
|
Hi,
First of all thank you for this fantastic site, which children of
POWs like myself can share. I am a Canadian and my Father was
a doctor captured in Singapore, and shipped off to Formosa. I
made a film about this for the National film Board which can
be obtained through them. I
don't own it or get any residuals...but it is a person account and
some of your visitors might want to see it. They could go to -
http://www.nfb.ca/nfbstore/ibeCCtpItmDspRte.jsp?a=b&formatid=13579
How I wish my own Father could have lived long enough to witness the
interest and appetite to understand what has happened, and the
access to knowledge provided by the "net".
Again thank you. Anne Wheeler
|
I
am trying to find out as much information about my grandfather as is
possible Stanley William Francis, served in the royal artillery,
captured in Singapore then taken to Japan on a hell boat, where he
was in Japan I've know idea, after liberation went to Canada for r&r
then went on to America to take back some ashes of American soldiers
who didn't make it home.
Ccoomber2@aol.com
|
Dear Sir,
I perused your internet site recently, and was moved by the many
emails and letters sent for WW2 japanes POW's. My late father L/Cpl
Frank Richards was a POW in Java (Interned in Thai camp) with the
2/2nd Pioneer Battalion between Apr 1942 & 1945. He died in 1973
from war injuries. Like many ex POW's dad never spoke much of his
war years. I am gathering POW information on his history, and would
like to contact anyone who knew him. If anyone can help me please
respond via my email below.
Thank you,
Regards,
Alan Richards
email:
bdaricho@satlink.com.au
|
Reply: One item on your website asked for info
on J B Mahoney from a Debora Thorp of Tasmania ( I think). I have
not been able to connect with her email address. I have
information on about her relative. You may like to tell readers of my
website too.
Regards,
Peter Winstanley
Ph: (08) 93045248 Fax: (08) 93045324
Website
www.pows-of-japan.net
|
My
great uncle, Joseph Bernard Mahoney (known by family and friends as
Bernie) NXZ71952, died in Siam on August 1,1943. He would have been
working on the Burma-Siam railway. I am looking for anyone who may
have known him or remembers anything about him. He is listed as
having died of illness. It seems to be around the time of a cholera
outbreak and I'm assuming that is the cause of his death.
I can be contacted at
thorpd@tasmail.com
Thank you,
Deborah Thorp
|
James C Rushing. A Sargent in the Coast Artillery. Spent most of his
time at Hirohota. Also spent time at Santa Thomas, Billibid,
Cubanantuan, and Toyoma. He was captured at Corregidor after Bataan
fell. He has two diaries that list these names: John B Garrison,
Earnst H Lay, Danny W Elliott, Blaine Robinson, Paul H. McDavitt,
Erwin Glasnapp, Frank J Orendain, John A Goldovich, Melvin H
Iyesteby, Lee W Moore, John H Reed, Henry Merino, Richard L Zender,
Foy Pribble, Floyd M Guyer, Leonard Goldsmith, Robert Barnett,
Norman
L Sherr, Jack Brooks, Jack Degraw, John M Munn, William J Lee, Lewis
M. Copley, Leon M Ellis, Henry M Thomason, Harry M Stahls, Charles
P. Samson, L.E. Myer, W. E. Lee, Cecil Rudd, Frankie l Irey, Ellis
W. Slater, Bob Epperson, Lee S Garner, Robert J Letourneau, Eillis I
Young, Francis Mosher, Ernest L Mosher, Jack W. Davis, Morris C
Otto, John M Munn, James E Frost, Elliott J Smelser, Emer Duden,
Danny Courtney, Wallis R Marston, Joseph K Goforth, Sheldon G Empol,
Frankie Irey, Luther Rapsdale, John W Miller, Leonard H Goldsmith,
Frank L Yonan, Jack Degraw, Melvin H Nesteby, Lee W Moore, **John H
Read, Henry Merino, Richard Zender, Norman L Sherr(listed in both
diaries)**, Walter L Kenicky, Robert E Barnett, Jack Brooks, Lewis M
Copley, Henry M Thomason, Harry m Stahls, Charles P Samson, L.E.
Meyers, W.M. Lee, Joseph B. Simeroth, Ben B. Raines, James T. Huber,
Harald W. Poole, John L. Johnson
The diaries also have address for everyone listed above.
I found some of the above names on a web site that listed those
liberated from Hirohota. My Dad's name was not the list. Does anyone
know why. My Dad died about five years ago. Despite many promptings,
my Dad did not speak about his experience in any detail. Have just
started my research. Would appreciate any help.
Ruth Richey, nee Rushing
|
Sir, my name is Robert McDowell. My father, deceased since 1970 was
in the US Navy assigned to a submarine and ended up becoming a
Japanese POW. He gave me no information about his time in the
service and I am having a difficult time learning anything about
him. If you could help it would be appreciated. His name was Basil
McDowell born in 1910. I can be reached at
robmcdow@charter.net
Thank you,
Robert McDowell |
MR LARNER PLEASE NOTE!!!
Dear Glen,
I was alerted to a message on your Japanese POW Camps website from a
RON LARNER,who is looking for news about his old friend Harold Churchward. I have tried the link to Ron's e-mail address, but my
e-mail to him has bounced back with the explanation that there was
no such user at optusnet.com.au Can you help in any way, so that I
can get a message to Mr. Larner?
Regards,
Brian Churchward (in
South Wales, UK).
|
I
am searching for Stephen "Popeye" Motzko or relatives of his. He was
a POW at Philippines Prison Camp 10-A. He was captured at Corregidor
and survived the Bataan Death march. He returned to my Great
Grandparent's home in Orofino, Idaho after the war where he had
worked for them prior to the war. I have a lot of memorobilia of his
I believe. I'd just like to learn more
about him since he's part of my family's history. Thanks. Rozalyn
Email:
tomandroz@msn.com |
I am in search of my Grandmother's
brother, George Thomas Clark born in North Arm Qld. He was a
prisoner of war in World war 2. As all her family including herself
has now passed away we are in dire search of a photo or any
information from anyone who may have been in his battalion.
Name: Sharon Sommerfeld
Address: c/ Toowoomba North State School
Telephone: 46329422
Email:
sharonas@telstra.com or
Crumby24@hotmail.com
|
Dear Sir,
I am sending you this inquiry in an effort to find the missing years
of my grandfather. His name was George Rowlands,dob 24/05/11 L/c
T/3662444. From his pay book he was a driver in the 142 GTC 5 Corps
Tran Col RASC and enlisted 0n 14/11/1940, he did his six weeks
training in Sheffield and was then sent overseas. He never spoke of
his army life and his subsequent capture in JAVA. I do know that
following his capture
he went to Changi Prison camp in Singapore and subsequently to
KUCHING in Borneo. He died in 1992 of ailments he obtained in
captivity and his paybook has only come into my possession recently
thus enabling me to send this enquiry to you. Can you assist me or
point me in the right direction as to were to obtain help or locate
anybody that knew my grandfather during his service. Many thanks and
a happy New year.
Julie Rowlands
jrnw39990@pop.cableinet.co.uk
|
SIR
HOPE YOU CAN HELP ME, I HAD A UNCLE INTERNED AT CHANGAI CAMP HIS
NAME IS CHAD SANGSTER, HE CAME HOME ALIVE. BUT DIED NOT LONG AFTER
,I AM TRYING TO FIND OUT AS MUCH AS I CAN ABOUT HIM, AS I HAVE DONE
WITH OTHER FAMILY MEMBERS, ON GALLIPOLI, THE PACIFIC WW2.DO YOU KNOW
AND WEB SITES THAT I CAN BROWSE ,AND GET ANY INFO I CAN. MY UTMOST
RESPECT GOES TO ALL THOSE WHO HAVE SERVED IN ALL WARS
KIND REGARDS .GORDON TILLYER
|
I have just
recently been made aware that my great uncle served in the south
Pacific during World War 2 in the American Armed Forces. I don't
believe he was ever a POW. But I do know that his artillery unit was
over run by the Japanese and as far as I know, no else survived. He
woke up in Pearl Harbor later. That is all I have been told at this
point. While I can't, at this point, relate any other specific
experiences he had during that time, I do know that he was unable to
speak of it to anyone since. I hope to learn more through research.
In honour of my late Uncle Junior, I extend my thanks to all Veterans
and their families of all countries who fought against the Axis
forces in WW2. There can be no words to express the thanks you are
owed for your sacrifice.
God bless you all,
Kent Noller
|
On my
research trip through the internet I came across the story of your
dad and other brave Aussie POWS. I hope many people who have never
been THERE will read this story. I was a Jap POW camp child myself,
so much of the story was not unfamiliar to me, especially the
diseases. This weekend I received a press release from Associated
Press through
one of my Canadian contacts about the proceedings in the Appelate
Court in Tokyo. The claim for compensation was rejected again, under
the pretence of the SFPT 1951 shield, to which the judge added: NO
INDIVIDUAL WAR VICTIMS HAVE THE RIGHT TO SUE THE BELIGERENT PARTY
FOR WAR DAMAGES COMPENSATION UNDER INTERNATIONAL LAW!!!Have you ever
heard such brazenly impudent statements from a judge? And
what ignorance. Would he never have heard of the various
international conventions on the treatment of captivated prisoners
(The Hague 1890/1907, Geneva 1929, Geneva 1947).
Anyway, BRAVO to your Government (and the New Zealand, British,
Canadian and Norwegian) for paying $ 25.000 to ex POWS and next of
kin. We here in Holland are still trying to induce our government to
do the same. Eventually, we will have to sue them for the
preposterous situation of refusing to compensate the Dutch nationals
who suffered in the Jap camps whereas they did to the Jewish and
Gipsy nationals.
Contrary to the Nazi concentration camps the situation in the Jap
concentration camps in Asia has still not been recognized. We
probably did a bad PR job, contrary to the global Jewish
organizations. I shall email the story of your dad to our minister
of social affairs.
With kind regards,
Lilian Sluyter
Amsterdam (The Netherlands)
Member Support Group of
www.svjappenkamp.nlo
|
I would
appreciate it if anyone who remembers Frederick Thomas Allman could
contact me. He was an English serviceman from
the Royal Artillery. He was captured in Singapore and like so many
others was held in Changi Jail and then worked on the Burma railway.
This is all I Know.
Many Thanks
Helen Allman |
Do you have
any information regarding the Japanese POW camps named, or at, Imari
or Shinagawa? Do you know anyone released from either of those
camps?
I'm looking for any Americans who were released from either of those
two camps and rescued by the hospital ship, USS Benevolence.
Thanks,
E. McDoniel |
My father is
an ex-pow and is still alive-NX51299 Pte. James Joseph and still
lives in Mudgee in NSW were he has 3 Children and 7 Grandchildren.
My father never talks about the war days much, but my son
occasionally asks him what kind of a shocking event the war was and
he gladly answers his question in a short way. His best mate-NX40792
J.W Teece was killed in his arms and he said that was the worst part
of his war days. My father gladly will answer any questions that
anyone may have and it would be good to hear from some other people.
So if you would like my father to answer your questions regularly
please email myself or my son Brett on
wjoseph@hwy.com.au and I
will assist you in the best possible way,
Warm Regards,
Wayne Joseph
|
My father,
Capt. George Brian Ferguson, 2/26th AIF was in Changi and I have
just begun finding out about his years there. Does anyone else from
2/26th have contact here? Dad passed away in 1973 - he was only 59
years old but those years took their toll on him. Hope someone has
some information on the 2/26th please?
Ruth Doyle
|
After
reading about the best selling books recently published on other
P.O.W.camps in WWII, I was curious to read about the camp my
grandfather was in. All I know is that he worked with elephants
building the Burma Rail Road. Were there American P.O.W.'s in the
same camp with the Australian soldiers? Does
anyone know of stories having to do with the elephants that were
used? My grandfathers name was John O'Brien. He was a very proud
Irishman. He did not recount many of the horrible things he went
through. I don't think anyone could have comprehended.
If anyone has any information about the elephants, I would
appreciate learning about them and the men that were there.
Thank you and God Bless,
Michele Canis |
I am looking
for an old friend Harold Churchward. He came from Lota Brisbane and
was on the Burma Railway.
Thanks heaps Ron Larner
|
I
am interested in info on Gull Force, in particular info on: 2/21 Inf
Bt
VX19415
Private F.N. Schaefer
Executed/murdered Ambon island as example for others round
30/04/1945
I am researching info of the Pvt
F.N. Schaefer VX 19415, beheaded as example for others, whilst being
held as POW on the Island of Amborn on behalf of a close friend.
execution occurred 2 months before the end of hostilities.
Would like to find out what happened to his captors, I truly hope
that met a long, violent end.
gerry
|
My father
was a POW in Changi (I hope that is spelt right) POW camp in Burma
he finds it very difficult to talk about I am trying to find out all
I can about his 3 yrs there I hope you can shed some light on this
subject. He suffered many beatings by the Japanese guards at that
time and it is a sad part of his life he wants to forget. But I on
the other need to know what it was really like to help me understand
the turmoil he has suffered he is now 86 his
name is William McDowell Wally to his friends
HOPE YOU CAN ASSIST
SINCERELY
JEAN KOLAT
|
I have just
completed a 3 year project in honour of my Dad, Major Maurice A.
Parker of the Royal Rifles of Canada who engaged the Japanese in
Hong Kong. If you have the time you may want to check out Dad's site
at
www.geocities.com/rcwpca
All the best,
Ron Parker
|
Hi my name
is Tony Leishman and I am trying to put a CD together of Australians
at war from WW1 to the end of WW2. I have had a lot of trouble
finding Photos for it. My main interest is New Guinea as my
grandfather was in the 2nd 14th. He was on the Kakoda track if you
can help me with maps stores or Photos I will be grateful. I will be
covering all the services on the CD ARMY NAVY and AIRFORCE so any
help will be great if you are going to replay to my email as of the
1st of March my email address will be
toyha1@ncable.com.au
Thank you for your time,
Tony Leishman
|
Hello, I
enjoyed your website very much. A tremendous piece of documentation.
I understand your site is documenting Australian POW's, but I wanted
to post the question for anyone who was on, or may have a relative
that was on the USS Pope (DD225) destroyer that was sunk March 1,
1942 in the Java Sea. The crew was approx 151, and of those,
according to documentation, all returned from Japanese POW camps but
about 27. My mother's husband was one who died in the camps, one
month prior to liberation in 1945. I have been collecting all I can
find on the battle of the Java Sea, leading up to the sinking of the
Pope, the last Allied US ship of the Asiatic Fleet to be sunk. I am
hoping to write to any surviving crew of the Pope. Their POW camp
was one not known to the US government until after the war was over.
So I hope to document that information, too. Thank you, S. Lawson
slawson53@home.com
|
Is there a
F.E.P.O.W. who may have known Denis Lalor 2nd battalion loyal
regiment Singapore fortress 1942. He was a POW at Changi, Keigo, and Konan. He sailed on prison ship
Fuki Maru to Korea. He is now 79 years old I would be interested in
contacting you about POW years.
I am trying to contact any living relatives in Wales maybe Swansea
or Cardiff of a gunner Miller, army no: 1602488 of 77th AcAc Heavy
Royal Artillery died as Japanese POW WWII. There is an item of
personal property to return to his family of sentimental value.
Please contact Eileen.
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