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Shirley. I dont have a lot of detail. Your father was also transported to Sumatra as part of Java Party 19 of 05.11.43 on the France Maru to Palembang. He was later sent to Changi, Singapore arriving on 30.05.1945 on the ship 'Sibolea'. He is listed as being liberated from this camp. (Malai camp includes Singapore). Unfortunately I have no further detail.

Charlotte,---
The 48 LAA departed from Gourock in Convoy WS14, on The Duchess of Athol, on 07.12.1941.
They arrived Freetown, on 21.12.41 and departed 25.12.41.
They then stopped at Capetown and Durban.
At Durban they transferred to the HMT Dunera and the convoy then was named WS14D.
(Duchess of Athol sailed for NewYork, then Belfast, then Liverpool and joined Convoy WS17)
The convoy (7 ships) sailed to the Addu Atoll (Maldives) for refuelling, before onward sailing to Java. This should normally have given you the answer as to which ship your grandfather was on, but there is a twist. The convoy Commodore onboard Dunera encouraged Lt. Col. Pearson of 48 LAA, to mount his Bofor Guns on the deck of the ship to give additional anti aircraft protection. When this proved successful he asked for all the other Bofor Guns to be installed on all the ships. 150 men of the 48 LAA were then distributed amongst all the ships to operate then on this final stage of the journey. (although I would assume they were all gunners and not signalmen).
On Java the 48 LAA were split up with 242 battery in Batavia, 49 battery at Kalidiati airfield, and 95 battery at Andir airfield. There was also an ad-hoc battalion formed called Black Force which included Australians, Americans and British of 3rd Hussars and RAF ground troops, and the signal section of the 48 LAA, now all armed as infantrymen.
Taken prisoner on Java, he was sent to Sumatra as part of Java Party 19, , 07.11.43 on France Maru 2, arriving Palembang on 10.11.43.

Sorry, should have said AE Williams-Wynn, 2366591, left England on a ship in early December 1941. Thanks very much

I am looking for information about my father Vincent Edgar Taplin,

Have just come across this amazing site, and hope you can help me find out more about my grandfather please. Albert Edward Williams-Wynn, 2366591. He was in the British Royal Corps of Signals, 48th LAA Reg. He trained in Catterick and then went on a ship to the Dutch East Indies, where he was MIA for 2 years before turning up as a POW. PoW no 597. Died in a camp hospital on 19 July 1945, and buried in Sumatra POW Cemetery No 2, Grave No 173. I think he might have been on the France Maru from Sumatra to Palembang. Am trying to find out what ship he left England on and what happened to him in as much detail as possible. I have lots of letters he wrote from Catterick and from the ship out of England, but nothing else. Any help or pointers would be greatly appreciated. Many thanks

I read your article with interest re Cpt James Finimore, 32 Dental Unit, thanks for sharing. I would like to inquire where/how does one access the "Liberation Questionaire"? I also would like to inquire if the photo used in this article is available? I seek information on Cpt Thomas Evans QX23850, 32 dental unit. The photo in his army record is black, ie no image. Thank you.

There is a post on here from a Dave in Cheshire about Gunner Norman H A Wade 118 Fld Regt RA. He was my Dad's best mate and Dad was with him in then camp when he died.

James, I can give you a few facts, but due to lack of full details it may also leave unanswered questions which you will need to pursue further. Cpl E Taylor was originally at RAF Tengah on the western side of Singapore. On 19.05.1944 he sailed from Java to Singapore on the Kiska Maru as part of Java Party 20. On 02.06.44 he then sailed to Manila on an 'unknown' ship (probably Miyo Maru), arriving 11.06.44. On 14.06.44 this ship sailed for Takao in Formosa, and arrived on 18.06.44. On 19.06.44 the men transferred to the Tamahoku Maru and sailed for Japan. On 24.06.44 this ship was sunk. The details that I do not have knowledge of is firstly his date of capture is listed as 20.03.42 so this date suggests he went from Singapore to Sumatra, and then at an unknown date must have been moved to Java. Also on record it mentions Ambon, so he must have been moved there from Java and then later bought back to Java to be on the Java Party 20.

I

Trying to find out information on the 59th Coast Artillery in the Philippines. My Uncle was station there for 24 months before be coming a Prisoner of War for 42 months at the Hoten POW Camp (Mukden) Manchuria. Anything on the unit, where it was located before they became Prisoners and how they were release from the POW Camp. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Hi Stephen. re Lance Sgt Harry Williams. 944566. 137 Field Regiment. Address shown as 36, Avondale Rd, Bolton. One of the first to be sent to Siam on 20.06.1942. These trainloads were used to construct the camps at Non Pladuk for all those who were to follow. I have no information about his camps. To establish whether the 2 men were ever at the same camps you would need to apply for both of their Liberation Questionnaires. Email me if you want details of how to do this.

Hy again Mike, just wondering if you were able to find anything out about my friend Andys grandad Harry Williams from Bolton, we are trying to see if the 2 grandads spent time together on the railway, many thanks

Hi Jo, for follow up watch for email.

Thank you SOoooooo much for the info on my father George Newbery ... where were I
U able to get it from ? Is there any more info about date he was released/ ship he was on to return to Uk etc etc .....AMAZING

Hi Jo. re Bombardier George Kitchener Newbery, 964211. Address shown as 114 Red Lion Lane, London SE18. Member of the 118th Field Regiment, Royal Artillery, Far East 18th Division. Arrived Singapore on 13.01.1942, on the USS Mount Vernon. Imprisoned Changi, Singapore. Sent to the Burma/Siam Railroad on 20.03.1943, Train 6. This consisted of 555 men, all from the 18th Division. I do not have any particular camp details, but do know he was in what was known as Group 4. These men predominantly slaved at Wampo, Tonchan, Kanu, Hintok, and Kinsayok.

Nick. re Gunner Nelson Hills. Cant supply any photo, but a little information about him. Member of 21 Light Anti Aircraft (21 LAA) Regiment, Royal Artillary, B Battery. This regiment was split up and B battery ended up in Timor prior to capitulation, and joined with 1400 Australians and became known as 'Sparrow Force'. B Battery were sent to defend Penfui Airfield. With the regiment so split up it is difficult to follow his captured journey, but I believe he was sent to Java, then onto Changi, Singapore, and then probably on the Dainichi Maru to Japan where he initially went into Fukuoka Camp #1. I believe he was then sent to Fukuoka Camp #4 on 29.01.1945, but died of acute colitis on 14.03.1945.

Trying to find information relating to my father GK Newbery service number : 964211
Who was a POW on the Burma railway

Hi

I was wondering if you could provide me with any information regarding 'Nelson Hills' , died 1944 at fukuoko (not sure of spelling) which I think was a prison camp. He was a gunner with the royal auxiliary. Unfortunately this is all the information I know. Nelson was a friend of a friend. He would very much like to see his photo one last time.
Thanks, Nick

Christine, re Alfred Robbins 5779458. When you say the Lib. Q. are 'missing', do you mean online at Cofepow? This is due to the fact that volunteers have not yet photographed them. The originals will be viewable close to you at Kew. This is assuming he completed a Lib.Q. as many did not. There is a guy who will photo it for you for about

Hi Mike, thank you so much for the information, It

Hi Helen. re Private Frederick Findlay, 1st Manchester Regiment. Assuming you have already seen his Liberation Questionnaire where unfortunately he merely listed he had only been in Normanton Park, Singapore, I assume this is where the confusion comes in. I can see him listed in a file that gives his location as 'Kam' (abbreviation for Kanchanaburi) which is then crossed out and 'Cha' (Changi ) is inserted, showing he was on the railroad and then returned to Changi. Another file confirms he was sent to the railroad as part of 'F Force' on 26.04.1943.

I'm looking for my father's Liberation Questionnaire. He was captive 1942-45, first on the death railway and then at Kanose 16b camp in Tokyo. The search so far reveals a whole section of surnames beginning with R missing. He was Alfred Robbins 5779458 of the 6th Royal Norfolks. Does anyone know where the missing files might be found?

Hi I am looking for information on my grandfather Frederick Findlay who was captured at the fall of Singapore 15/2/1942
His service number was 3535872 he was in POW Camp Malai 4 I have no idea where this camp was as I

Donald Curran 9 coastal RA 1426862

Thank you very much Mike.