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Showing 101–125 of 2,581

Joanna

Hertfordshire

Hi, I’ve glanced at some of the messages on here with people trying to trace information concerning relatives in the Japanese POW camps on the death railway in Thailand and Burma for WW2. 
I recently found these pages on my search and made contact with them. They sent me all my relatives records and a wealth of information. I hope these links help. 

http://www.tbrconline.com/

This page also helped me to join the dots with one man’s recollections it is linked to a roll of honour and memorial page for all those who served and died in the far east. 

https://www.far-eastern-heroes.org.uk/Freeing_the_demons/index.htm

Jonathan Moffatt

UK

Yes, Robert Hardie was a medical officer in the FMSVF and in his civilian life in private practice as a GP in Kuala Lumpur. His book [published diary] a very good read. He mentions Smith-Laing who was a planter in the Negri Sembilan Battalion FMSVF. On him I have SMITH-LAING B.N.[Brownlow North] "Brownie" b.27.9.1907 Glentarff, Inverness. To Malaya 1929. Assistant Planter, Labu Estate NS [1935 Directory] then Manager Guthrie"s Estate, Bahau, NS. Lt 3FMSVF Liaison Officer to 2nd Cambs. POW Singapore to Thailand. Returned to Malaya 1946: Pengkalan Bukit Estate, Panchor, Muar, Johore then Senior Visiting Agent, Guthries. Wife Florence Mary [nee Llewellyn – married 8.1937 Seremban]. Living at Buckham Hill, near Uckfield, Sussex 1962 then to the Algarve. Died 1999 Sussex. Children Diana b.1939 & Alastair b.1941.

Max Smith

01/02/25

I was looking for more information on my grandfather. All I have found is his Pow card stating he was in Camp 4.He was a Cptn Eric Rex Smith, Royal Dental Corps, originally from Wigan born 1912.
Although he survived he, like many others, did not speak much about it. I believe his two closest friends were Dr Bob Hardy(currently looking in to other spellings as Robert Hardie has a book which I have ordered) and "Brownie" real surname possibly Smith-laing. Very unfortunate some of the last survivors now seem to have passed away, as has my grandmother. Wish I had asked more questions when I was younger but thought I"d give this forum a try.

Jonathan Moffatt

UK

WILKINSON L.F. [Leslie Fielding] b.1903. Educated St Columba’s College, Dublin; Royal College of Science, Ireland & National University, Dublin. Chartered Electrical Engineer. To Malaya 1926 as Probationary Assistant Telegraph Engineer FMS. By 1940 Engineer, Telecommunications Dept KL. Changi and Sime Rd internee. Repatriated on Tegelberg, arriving Liverpool 12.10.45.To Bray, Wicklow.
Returned to Malaya.

David Wilkinson

Heathfield

My father Leslie Fielding Wilkinson born 17.08.03 in Ireland was working in Telecoms Malaya 1927-1953
He was a civilian prisoner in Changi and I think Sime Road. After release he returned to Malaya and became DirGen Telecoms before he retired in Early 1953 to live in Ireland.
Any info you have about him would be appreciated

George Lofthouse

Liverpool

I am seeking further information about Captain Basil Frederick Benbow Gulliver. R.A.M.C. service number 133628. He was awarded tne Military Cross in 1942.
My cousin, Eileen Gulliver nee Deighton was married to Basil in 1940. They met while she was a staff nurse and he was a House Surgeon at
Smithdown Road Hospital, Liverpool.
When Singapore fell, Basil was taken a P.O.W. by the Japanese, and sadly died in captivity in the Roberts Hospital, Changi jail, 17/9/1942.
He is buried in Kranji War Cemetery, Singapore.
Although I know Basil was awarded the Military Cross in recognition of gallant and distinguished services in South-West Pacific, I have not been able to find out
any citation or the exact and full circumstances as to the award.
Any advice as to the best way to gain this information would be appreciated.
Thank you.

Joanne Martin

Bedfordshire, UK

Hi again, just an update into research I have done into my great grandfather, Lawrence Lenard Mansi, I am in the process of detailing his movements and whereabouts, I have updated information on ww2talk forum.
For anyone just starting to research, keep looking, read everything and don"t be afraid to contact anyone you think may be able to help.
:)

Gary Broad

Kidderminster, Worcestershire

Good evening,
I"m researching and writing about (for the CWGC site "For Evermore" as many of my fellow townsfolk as possible - from both world wars. I am currently working on a gunner whose story I found in an old copy of our local newspaper (The Kidderminster Shuttle) - the article reads: “Mrs. P.M. Robinson, 78, Jubilee Drive, has received the tragic news, in an Official War Crime Statement, that her husband Gnr. Ernest W. Robinson who was previously reported a prisoner of war in Japanese hands, died in November 1943, and that his funeral was witnessed by a survivor in Chunkai.”
“Gnr. Robinson was serving in Malaya when the garrison of Singapore capitulated and after being missing for some months was reported to be a prisoner of war in Thailand, he was the eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. W. Robinson of 19 Pleasant Harbour, Kidderminster.”

I was wondering if anyone could point me in the right direction relating to "Official War Crime Statements" - were these a normal conduit for letting family members know about their fallen loved ones?
Apologies for my ignorance in this respect, any help would be very greatly received.
Kindest regards
Gary B

Andrew keeling

Staffordshire UK

Just starting the journey of finding information. About my great grandad. Gunner Riber Rowley. 1627511. 77HAA Regiment UK Army. Has anyone got any tips on finding information? I found this page.
https://www.roll-of-honour.org.uk/Java_Index/R/html/ro_database_558.htm

symons

Amsterdam

Hello everyone,




I am looking for information about my grandfather, John Vincent Symons, who served in the 3rd Military Company, Artillery Detachment (KNIL) during WWII and became a POW working on the Burma-Siam Railway. He was part of Group 3, with references to the 1944 Roll (Thailand). He was imprisoned in camps like Ban Pong and Thanbyuzayat.




Does anyone have details about:
• The role and tasks of Group 3?
• Experiences of the 3rd Military Company, Artillery Detachment POWs?
• Specific conditions in Thanbyuzayat or nearby camps?




Any leads or resources would be greatly appreciated!




Thank you!

Gary

Derbyshire

Hi. I"m trying to find any information on my Grandfather, Cyril Higgins 6/8/19. As far as I know he served in Burma, I believe as a Chindit. He was reported missing and presumed dead before returning at the end of the war having been a POW. I don"t have his service number. We have tried extensively to search on line but found nothing. Any help would be appreciated. Thank you.

Mike

06.12.2024

Hi Joanne, re Lawrence Mansi. You have been given such a wealth of wonderful information by the brilliant guys at WW2Talk, that I could only repeat what has already been given to you. Keep searching to honour his name.

Gabby Hayes

Yorkshire

In early 1945 Tha Markam hospital near the Bridge on the River Kwai was moved to Chungkai, which was itself closed in June 1945 as part of a further Japanese consolidation of POW camps. Tha Sao (near today"s Nam Tok) began as a camp hospital but grew to become the base hospital for all of POW Group 4, some 13 000 men. My hubby" s uncle Harold Havenhand.

Joanne Martin

Bedfordshire, UK

Hi, I am looking for information on my great Grandad, Lawrence Lenard Mansi, (L.L. Mansi)
42 or 48 Battery 2/1 LAA RA

POW Java
I am aware he is on the Kranji War Memorial column 24
Looks like he was captured in March 1942 unsure where, possibly went to Changi
Was presumed Dead Jan 1946 after the investigations.

Is there anyway of knowing if he was one of the party that was sent to Timor? I have a feeling he was part of the group that stayed in Java, perhaps B Group, but don"t know how I can find this out?
just wanting to find out if we know a cause of death and where possibly he was in those last few months.
only on a war memorial website it stated died in Labuan?
any info I would be very grateful.
Many thanks
Joanne

Mike

23/11/2024 UK

Hi Christine. re AC1 Leslie Tucker 1272425. Leslie was stationed at RAF Butterworth in northern Malaya. This airfield was taken by the Japanese very early in their war on 20/12/1941.
The British had evacuated in advance when their planes proved to be no match against the Japanese Zero fighter and the bombers. The RAF had escaped to Java. Leslie became a prisoner on Java on 8/3/1942. Leslie lists his POW camps, on his Liberation Questionnaire completed by himself post war, as Tasik Airfield 15/3/42 (Tasikmalaja). Sourabaia 5/6/42 (Soerabaja). Ambon (23/5/43). Cycle Camp, Java (25/12/43). Tanjong Priok (10/5/45). Changi, Singapore (15/7/45). However, Tanjong cannot be 10/5/45 (maybe 44 not 45) as there is clear evidence that he sailed from Java to Singapore on 8/1/45 on the ship referred to as OSK Ferry, and this arrived Singapore on 11/1/45. The POWs were taken to River Valley Camp, which he has not listed. I believe he may have been sent to Changi Hospital on his date of 15/7/45. He is definitely listed as being in Changi Camp at liberation roll on 5/9/45. Copies of files showing his name available by email if wanted.

Christine Monk

Essex, United Kingdom

I’m trying to find more information about my uncle.
His service number was 1272425 Rank ACI, RAF.
Name Leslie Arthur Tucker.
I know he was captured and taken to Tasikmailsa? Not sure about the spelling.

Bryan Horton

Queensland Australia

Mike,
I wrote to Georgia:
Hi Georgia,
If you write to me, I will give you some information about Driver Albert Birch ,
if he travelled to Fukuoka camp 17 on the Hioki Maru and worked at the Mitsui zinc smelter, Omuta. Returned home on the Implacable and then Ile de France
arriving Southampton November 15th 1945.

My father was CSM Eric Horton for his work group.

Regards,
Bryan Horton

Mike

15.11.2024

Hi Amber. ref Private Edward Andrew Rowe, WX16638. I feel pretty certain you will already have most of this information, but hey-ho here goes. Transported from Batavia, Java, in the Kenkon Maru on 08/10/1942 to Singapore, arriving 12/10/42. This was named Java Party 4. Two days later he boarded the Maebashi Maru and sailed for Rangoon, Burma, arriving 22/10/42. Without having the detail I believe he worked with "A Force" on the Burma end of the Railroad of Death. He was returned to Singapore at a later (unknown) date and went into River Valley Road Camp. On 15/12/1944 they were herded onboard the MV Awa Maru, but then remained locked down in the holds for the next 11 days, before she sailed in a convoy of 20 ships on 26/12/44. They arrived in Moji, Japan on 16/01/1945. They were taken to Senryu POW Camp, known as Fukuoka 24B, which was a coal mine.
There is a photo of him there, he is third from left on front row. http://www.mansell.com/pow_resources/camplists/fukuoka/fuk-24-sendryu/fuk_24_Aussies%20M-Z.jpg

Mike

14.11.2024

David (Kent). re Stephen Reardon. Sorry, I cant add anything more than what you already have from WW2Talk.

Mike

13.11.2024 UK

Hi Katrina. Your grandy Sgt.William Dundas was in the 18th Div. Reconnaissance Regiment (18 Recce). This regiment was formed from the 5th Loyal Regiment. However, his service number of 3245373 shows that he initially enlisted in the Cameroians (Scottish Rifles). Someone with a service number 100 before him is known to have enlisted on 30.01.1936 at Hamilton. He was born Craigneuk, but lived Burslem, Stoke. He became a POW when Singapore surrendered on 15.02.1942 and then remained in Singapore camps for the remainder of the war. He was never in Japan.

Phil Howard

Wigan

Was my grandad jack fletcher captured in Japan POW and escaped? Reg number is 14803323

Amber Gaitskell

Perth WA

Proud daughter of  Private Edward Andrew Rowe (Dec 03/10/2012) 92 years young and forever gentle, gracious and kind.
Also known as Ted or Bluey

My grandfather was enlisted at Kalannie WA and in the 2/2nd Pioneer Battalion.  A POW who was able to come home, marry, have a family and lead an amazing life. I read and search for information about his time enlisted and appreciate any photos anyone may have.

Stacey Lee

Plymouth, UK

I am currently transcribing a letter from my Grand-Uncle (30 pages front & back) about his time as a POW. Harry Sunsburg. He talks a lot about Lt Col Du.Vaal who was with him from the start. Was hoping to get some more information about him. Harry was on HMS Jupiter but not sure about Du Vaal. Harry mentioned he was captured in Jacada. 

David

Kent

Hi Mike. I"m trying to get info for an elderly friend about his uncle. Details are
STEPHEN REARDON
Service Number – 1697984
His movements seem to have been first to Tha Makham Bridge 23/10/1942 working under Major Lees
then in Feb 43 sent to Kanchanaburi Engineers Camp under Major Slater
(Major Slater was arrested with Eric Lomax "The Railwayman Book and Movie" and sent to Outram Road Jail in late 1943)
Finally he was sent to Apalon in Burma until the end of the war.
Any further info would be appreciated.

Lea

London

Hi Mike,
Thank you so much for taking the time to search.
I will definately contact Tony.
Again, much appreciated!
regards
Lea

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