Guestbook

My aunt and uncle, Archie and Helen Coleman, were prisoners of the Japanese. They were taken prisoners in Hong Kong. He was Scottish and the manager of the British Ice Cold Storage Co. Helen Coleman was Canadian, Does anyone have any information about them?

A terrific site Peter. Not enough can be said about Prisoners of War and what they went through. My father was a POW in Japan and was in the 4th Anti Tank regiment. After 60 years his photos and writings can be seen by all.

Looking for any information regarding Col. Wade Killen USA Army 102nd Inf. who was POW in Philippines then sent to Manchuria, Mukden, at least part of the time. I know he spent most of the war as POW, and was able to come home. I would love to receive any information those might have. I am married to his son, and never got the chance to meet Wade. Thank you all in advance.

I am currently collecting as much information about family members who were engaged in the Second World War and I would be most interested to learn about him. I am most grateful for the responses so far.
My information todate is as follows:-
ALLAN G.D.[George Douglas b.1912
Accountant. Pte 13353 FMS Armoured Cars POW
George or

I read your article on Stanley Pavillard with great interest - Stanley Pavillard was our family
doctor in the Canaries for many years, he was a close friend of my parents,
and I am still in contact with two of his daughters. I have very fond
memories of Stanley, and of long summer afternoons around their pool!
Just a few points - the Pavillard family were British citizens, but
originally, I believe, from Switzerland. They were part - as was my
mothers family - of a large British shipping/trading community which had
built up in the Canary Islands from the middle of the nineteenth century,
and were connected with the Elder Dempster shipping line, which ran from the
UK to West and South Africa and South America - the Canaries were an
important coaling station in those days.
Stanley was the youngest of seven brothers, and also had a younger sister.
After the war he married an Australian, Irene, and returned to Las Palmas in
the Canaries where he practised medicine for many years, latterly in
partnership with his nephew. He practised with unique style - he was always
transported to house calls in an immaculate chauffeur driven Rolls Royce. He
retired in the early 80s, by which time his eyesights was seriously
deteriorating, something which he attributed to his privations as a POW.
Stanley and Irene had three daughters (Linda, Anita and Sandra), and the
younger two still live in the Canaries - in fact, Anita is the UK
vice-consul in Las Palmas. Irene died in the early 90s and Stanley, who
was by then almost totally blind, spent his last few years at St Dunstans
home for blind ex-servicemen in Brighton. He died in 1997 and his obituary
was published in the British Medical Journal, No 7110, Vol 315, on 20
September 1997.
Stanley had been awarded the MBE for his work as a doctor in the POW camps.
Hope this is of interest.

Congratulations to Peter for his coverage of a group of Officers who were unfailing in their work and dedication to the troops.Having spent my time in Changi for the 3.5 years, I would like to see the same coverage given to those marvellous doctors who unstintingly serviced tha area. Thanks Peter.

I have been to Thailand with Peter and it was a great experience. I thought it was interesting and that was a fun day and we wont forget it. There were different people who went there and it was great for them too. We talked to POWs and we listened to them and we got along well.

In November 2005 I am travelling to the Burme railway with the a group and am really looking forward to the trip. Upon my return I will certainly post my opion to this website. Thank you for the oportunity of being able to attend. Regards David Cooke.

Fascinating website and highly informative. As the grandson of one of the medicos in question, Sir Albert Coates, it is particular interest to me and other members of the family.

I have been to this site many times since its inception but have somehow never got around to signing on. I know you will be getting together information on the K & L Force groups when you have the time. I do know that these were smaller groups of mainly medical personnel who were sent to Thailand to keep the coolies alive and working. My father, George Moser was a Sergeant, No 6969, in the FMSVF 3rd Field Ambulance. His Unit comprised Lt. Col GF West, CO; Major J Coutts-Milne 2 I/C; Capt. Robert Hardie MO; Captains Mackintosh, Emery, J.Mitchell, Kandiah and Abbas. Lieuts. l. Tutner, and J Daly QM died Chungkai 14th May 1944; Sgt Major A Robertson and Sergeants Dick, Dunk and Moser.I have managed to track their progress to the fall of Singapore and know that they left Changi for Kanchanburi 25th June 1943. There is unconfirmed information that he (they?) was, at some stage, with Weary Dunlop. Thereafter the trail is lost. I find this so frustrating and just about every day wish that more information would surface to help fill the gaps, although I realise that most of the men must have long been deceased. However, there must be some people, relatives maybe, who would have information which they can contribute. Peter, you are giving them a rare opportunity to tell the unknown story of these groups. I hope they find this site. Cheers and thankyou, Laurie

To have travelled with John Parkes & Bill Haskell on the Remembrance Tour 2003 will remain one of the greatest priviledges of our lifes!
To witness thier stories of deprivation & the grief they still bore for lost young mates,for seeing first hand the enormity of the railway construction under appalling conditions in almost impenetrable jungle.
This journey was made possible by remarkable & dedicated people, including Peter Winstanley who have sought to bring recognition & to preserve for history the sufferings & the triumphs of those brave young men.
We salute you & will dedicate our knowledge to our childrens children that they will never forget!

I would be nice if other website providers, could work to your standards. Congratulations on this outstanding site

Peter
This is a terrific web site, well done and keep up the good work
All the best Graeme

2nd 29th & all who did not return.lest we forget
Thank you for this web.It will help to explain to my grandchildren what their Great-Granddad went through.My father was with F.Force and passed away 17 years ago,I often saw that haunted look that he could not hide.We had his ashes sent back to all his lost brothers in arms as was his last wish.I hope to take my young ones up to Hell-fire pass.Thank you again.

Peter,
Congratulations on the site and for keeping us aware of this dark period. We should never forget the sacrifices of our POWs

My Great-Uncle, Melvin Malandht was an enlisted crew member on the USS Houston when it was torpedoed during the Battle of the Java Sea. He was taken POW for the duration of the war. I want to find more info about the POW camp he was in and if there are any other survivors still living that may have known Mel.
Thanks, Dana West US NAVY Vet

Well done Peter. With people like you doing what you do - these stories will never erode. Nor should they.
Lest we forget

I have been associated in some way or another with the Thai-Burmna Railway and the POWs who toiled on the line since 1979 but more closely since 1990, then as the Australian Defence Attache to Thailand. Peter Winstanleys outstanding efforts in researching the medical aspects of those dreadful years has revealed details of the history of the line which all can follow in a user-friendly style. There can never be enough research of this nature.

I am seeking photos, stories or general knowledge of the Naoetsu POW camp 4B Japan, where my Granfather (Fred Beale)and his brother (George Beale)were imprisoned after the fall of singapore. Two Aboriginal Brothers from Gunnedah in NSW. George died in the camp and sadly Fred passed in 1992 after long battles with war related illnesses. I also have pics some of the camp and the men. If interested please contact me.

i remember helping to carry the AATTV banner in 2000 when we marched through fremantle to the museum.....it was a great plessure and we won too...

i will always remember them ....

An outstanding work of reference and a valuable contribution to the history of WW2: well done !

An impressive web site and a credit to the authors/contributors. I learnt things about my father, Major Ewan Corlette that he never revealed to his children and also about other brave men such as Major Arthur Moon, who was my godfather, and others with whose names I had only passing familarity. As Australians, we are very aware of the legend of Weary Dunlop, undoubtedly a truly great man, but it is most gratifying to see other medicos from the Death Railway being afforded the recognition they so richly deserve. Lest we forget.
I wish to thank Peter Winstanley for initiating the concept and for his research on my father. And thanks also to the surviving diggers who contributed their recollections.

An excellent tribute. My Father Don worked under LtCol Coates (2/4CCS) as a medic on the Burma Rail. Sadly passed away (though peacefully) in April 2003. He would have been proud of this magnificent effort.

What an excellent website Peter. It brings back so many wonderful memories from when I was fortunate enough to take the Quiet Lion Tour 2004. Well done, and I look forward to seeing the continued growth of such a wonderful site.