Guestbook

Brian

Aberdeen

Hi I've been trying to trace the camp where my uncle died as a pow in 1944. He was srg. Alfred Mackie 7642587 . He was in the REME. He was captured at Singapore in 1942, was at Changi until 1943 and died somewhere in Thailand on the 15th of January 1944. Any information would be much appreciated.

Patrick Walker

West midlands

Having read several requests I can add that I have recently had published the only book on the whole war time story of 6th Heavy Anti Aircraft Regt

Pauline

UK

Hi, I wonder if you can give me any information about my great uncle Sidney Charles Bugg
He is buried at Thanbyuzayat Cemetery and he served in the 4th Battalion of the Suffolk Regiment

Mike

UK 08.11.2015

Hi Kevin (re grandfather Roberts Burns). Sorry cant supply any answers. he is not listed on any Java Party sailings, but if you go to the CWGC website and enter the date of death and Singapore Memorial you will see that appx 28 men are listed, 20 RAF and 8 from army regiments who were on Java. This COULD (but no evidence) suggest it was not a Maru sailing but could have been a coastal vessel ferrying a small number of men between camps, and maybe that is why you cant find a major sinking on the date.

Mike

UK 08.11.2015

Hi Jim (re James Robert Ramsay ). Anything to do with Hong Kong / Lisbon Maru / Middlesex Rgt. I would suggest you contact Tony Banham. Show email address

David Page

Thetford Norfolk

I am trying to find any infrormation on my uncle Bertie Clarence Page 4th Territorial Battalion Royal Norfolk Regiment No 5776766 P O W Singapore 15 .2.1942 , lost at sea 21.9.1944 on board Japanese ship the Hofuku Maru,Thats about all i know about his war record.

Ali

UK

Hi, i've just been looking at the guest book and have noticed a few comments about Sandakan. My greatgrandfathers nephew was Stanley Wilfred Wright who died on the 16th June 1944 in Sandakan camp rather than one of the marches, according to his death record . Unfortunately either his remains couldn't be found or were not able to be identified but he is commemorated on the Singapore memorial. Stanley was a gunner in the Royal Corps of Signals and arrived at Sandakan somewhen between the 8th and 18th of April 1943 and given the POW number 2965 , his recorded cause of death was Malaria which he contracted on the 28th May 1945. I don't know if there is anything else that can be added to this information regarding to how come he was captured, but if anyone can I would be very grateful as I would love to be able to have a complete picture of his time in the Far East.

Jim MacGregor

NZ

Hi, I trying to get more info about my Grandfather James Robert Ramsay No6196028 Middlesex Regiment. I know he was onboard the Lisban Maru, but any other info would be greatly appreciated.

Kevin Baxter

Aberdeen

Hi, I am trying to find out, more regarding the passing of my grandfather Roberts Burns,

Lynn Burtenshaw

Brighton UK

hi there I am having a nightmare trying to find anything about my grandfather.

Steve

Southampton

Colin - Gunner John Mills no. 1743070. My father (an RAF aircraftsman) took the same route from Java to Singapore and then to Kuching. About 1000 Pows left NN Maru 14 (formerly a British vessel built on the Clyde) for the Batu Lingtang camp at Kuching.My father went onto Sandakan but ended up back at Kuching. Because of Japanese paranoia he was put into the officers camp.
I can confirm the information that Mike gave you.In addition when the POWs were transferred back to Singapore they were held in the area of the Indian Lines before moving to Kuching. Over 600 British POWs died at Batu Lintang from Jan 1st 1945 to release. It is very sad that John passed away after the war had ended.

Philippa Clark

Norway

Thanks Mike,
that actually explains things nicely.
Philippa

Mike

UK 01.11.2015

Hi Philippa, I can enlighten you on one query but have little information of what happened to Major Clark. File shows an address as Many Windows, Ford Street, Aldham, Nr. Colchester, Essex. The reason he was in Singapore was that he had been transferred / seconded to the 12th Indian Infantry Brigade. He was interned at Changi until 25.10.1942 when he was entrained to the Siam Railroad as part of 'X Party'. I have no further information about camps though.

Philippa Clark

Norway

Hi, Im trying to find out a more about my husbands father who died in Chungkai camp in May 1943.
His name was Major Sidney John Clark (service number 261 I think) of the second battalion of the Middlesex regiment.
It seems strange that he should be in the far east when the rest of his battalion were in the Uk at the time.

Jonathan Moffatt

Coventry

re. JOHN CUNNINGHAM enquiry: Hello, John.
It seems to me from the information you give that your uncle was a member of the notorious F Force which left Changi, Singapore in April 1943 for Thailand.
The survivors were returned to Singapore in December 1943 - mostly back to Changi BUT one party of 165 AIF survivors were sent to SIME ROAD CAMP where British

john cunningham

Pakenham australia

I am researching the details of my uncles death in Singapore. John Mervyn Cunningham TX 5808 11 platoon B Co 2/40 battalion. I have a record that he died 1 1 1944 at Sime road
Is there any information as to whether he was in Changi and /or worked on the Burma railway

Mike

UK 30.10.2015

Hi Leanne, your grandfather was service number 4978380, and has an address showing as 119, Pym Street, Nottingham. He was imprisoned at River Valley camp from 15.02.1942, before then being moved to Changi in May 1942. He remained in Changi until 01.11.1942 when he was entrained to the Siam Railroad as part of 'Q Party'. His camps were Tarsao until May 1943, Tamuang from May 43 to May 1945, and finally Pratchi to war end.

Leanne

Nottingham

My grandfather who I never met was a pow. He was in the 1/5 battalion in the sherwood foresters. I wonder if anyone could help me find out any information? Or guide me into the right place- would love to find a photo as have none. His name was Eric furr.

Jonathan Moffatt

UK

Regarding Mike's comments on ROBERT PATON I can confirm that Toosey in his camp reports gives him detailed good mention.
Extracts a bit long to put on this message board but if Rick is able to contact me by e mail I will send. Will also send to you by e mail, Mike.
best wishes
Jonathan

Tash

Queensland

Hi there, I'm looking for any info on my grandfather James Davidson Ballingall QX18527 POW Malaya. Many thanks Tash

Rick

Sydney, Australia

Thanks so much Mike!

Mike

UK 27.10.2015

Rick (Sydney) re Robert Paton. You will have noticed on the Lib. Q. that Roberts camp leader was Col. Toosey who became one of the most famous POWs of the war. In the true story about his leadership written by his granddaughter, Julie Summers, titled 'The Colonel of Tamakan' , Robert Paton gets mentioned a couple of times. I believe that Col. Toosey would have recommended the gallentry award. Robert Paton was involved in secreting money into the camp and then using it to buy medicines. Only about 4 men knew what was going on, and all risked their lives if they had been caught. I hope this is an accurate summary, as I read the book several years ago but dont have time to refresh it now. You may want to purchase a copy which is usually available very reasonably on Abebooks. I can see copies in Oz for about A$15.

Cath

Adelaide, South Australia

Hi there,
I'm wondering if anyone might have any information on a 'Ted Lloyd',

Rick

Sydney, Australia

Many thanks for reference to liberation questionnaire. I have found that my Uncle was mentioned in the Gazette for gallantry. I was wondering whether this was the case for all surviving POW's? If not, is there a way to find out what especially the recognition was for? Many thanks again. I'm afraid I am a novice at much of this research.

Nicky

Taunton

Sorry Mike, meant to say that my uncles friend was a S.S Woods,
1874098 and I can see from find my past, he left Singapore February 42
I have another letter he had written to my gran saying that he never gave up
trying to find info about Charlie. It seems my gran sent this man parcels and letters,