Guestbook

Judy selby-Boothroyd

cornwall

I have found a great deal of information regarding my uncles POW years. He was in Singapore for the first few months of his capture then taken to Tiawan on the hell ship MARU England he was to work down the copper mines for the duration he survived and was rescued by the American Navy.
I have the whole story now as some other chaps with him wrote a book which is very enlightening

this book also contains pictures of the captors and there punishment in the war trials that followed. Although I found the book and what did happened to my uncle extremely upsetting I also feel very proud of my uncle

was he known by any one else SGt David Dewsnap.
I now also have his medalswhich the Army gave me. My uncle refused them after the war.

Bobbie Jeal

Dalbeattie, Dumfries & Galloway

Hi Mike - I'm having trouble finding information on my dad's war service. His name was Robert Ingram and he was a private enlisted into the Gordon Highlanders in Aberdeen on November 30th, 1934, at the age of 19. I have a Certificate of Service booklet in which a serial number appears - Gord Hrs 1768 Mo and according to which he served at home until March 2nd, 1937. He was then transferred to Malaya on March 3rd, 1937 (he would die on that same date 24 years laters in 1961) and served in Malaya until February 14th, 1942, at which point he became a Japanese PoW - 3 years and 244 days. He apparently arrived back in Scotland on October 17th, 1945 and was transferred to the Army Reserve on May 5th, 1946. This seems a lot of information; however, I would like to know where he spent his PoW years, what campaigns he took part in and any other information that is generally available. If there are any reading materials you could suggest, I would be delighted. Hoping you can help me - many thanks, Bobbie

Wilma Mackenzie

Scotland

My mothers brother was Private Hamish Gordon, 2nd Battalion Argyll And Seaforth Highlanders, No 2979473, buried in Kanchanburi War Cemetery 6F 75. He died 5th December 1943. Burma - thailand railway. Any other info greatly appreciated.

Gayathri Gill

Singapore

Dear Mike, I read the counless replies that you have helped people with finding information on their kins. I am with the National Archives of Singapore and we receive enquiries on relatives looking for more information on their family who were POWs. Really appreciate if you could share your resources on how you got such useful and important imformation. Would really like to learn from you, with the passion to help others who come to us. For our resources are limited and I know that any information provided to the current generation means so much of closure. look forward to hearing from you.

Per Tistrand

Sweden

My father was Captain Torkel Tistrand .
He served during World war two on the Swedish ships Gripsholm.
I wonder if someone remembers him. Sorry ror my bad Spelling . I have a side on Facebook named ***Svenska Amerika Linien*** Pleace try to check it in oki :)

Mike

UK 20.10.2014

Hi Paul (re Walter Henry Bridges ). Walter regiment was on Java when the surrender occurred. (appx 8.03.1942). On 29.10.42 he was shipped to Singapore and then onward to Moji in Japan. Two hellships sailed together, the Singapore Maru and the Dainichi Maru. The conditions on these two ships was deplorable with 80 dying on the Dainichi Maru, and 108 dying on the Singapore Maru. Arriving on 25.11.42 most of the men were taken to Fukuoka #4 Camp. Walter died as a result of the journey a few days later on 02.12.42. You ask why they were sent to Japan, they were slave labour to replace the Japanese men who were away fighting.

paul BRIDGES

West Midlands, United Kingdom

Hi, looking for more info on Gunner Walter Henry Bridges of the Royal Artillery 12 bty 6 H AA Regt who died as a POW in Japan in DEc 1942 and buried at Yokohama Cemetery.

William Wilson

Newburgh

Thanks for your reply, it has been

Mike

UK 18.10.2014

Hi William, (re Sapper George Gilmour ). The events for George are probably very similar to that I have posted as a reply to Rachel. Geoge left Changi just 3 days later on train 8, on 22.03.1943, and was therefore also a member of D Force. I do not have any details concerning his death, but his "capture" is the date when Singapore was surrendered and all the men were ordered to lay down arms. 36 Fortress Coy were the Command Engineers, and one of 12 divisions that had specialised skills.

William Wilson

Newburgh

I am trying to find info. on 1874644 Sapper George Gilmour 36 Fortress Coy. R.E. age 26, who was a POW, died on 10th. October 1943 and is buried in Chungkai War Cemetery. He was captured on 15th February 1942, I am hoping to get info re his capture or death.
Thank you.

Rachel McKie

Dumfries, Scotland

Thank you so very much Mike for getting back to me so promptly.

Mike

UK 16.10.2014

Hi Rachel, (re Private Arthur Watson) . 6th Battalion Norfolk Regiment , service number 5774162. Address shown as 145 High Street, Dumfries, Scotland. (maybe parents address ?) The 6th battalion were responsible for defending the north side of Singapore, and in the final days retreated to the naval base, where they joined with the 2nd Cambridgeshires. After Singapore capitulated on 15th February 1942, Arthur then spent a year in Changi. On 19.03.1943 he was sent to Siam in train 5, as part of

Rachel McKie

Dumfries, Scotland

Looking for any information on private Arthur Watson of the Norfolk rifles, England.

Robert Booth

Norfolk

My wife is looking for information on her uncle.
He apparently worked on the Burmese railway.
His name was Alexander (Eck) Carcary.
Sadly he passed away in 1976,
we believe he was in the Royal Scots Greys.
Any information would be greatly received.

Karen Harvey

Essex, England

My husband sent me this link because he is aware that I have an ancestral connection to a relative who lost his life in Burma with the Suffolk Regiment - 5th Battalion. I gather from reading this site that the connections are mostly Australian POW's. However, if anyone is aware of any links that I could connect with for further information of the plight of our heroes, I would be most grateful for a response.

louis simpkins

england

my step dad served in the RAF and was captured in burma around 1941.
his name is Harry Carr and i am trying to track his service history.

Alice Lee MacDonald

Lewes, De., USA

I am looking for info about my Aunt & Cousin. They were in a POW camp in Shanghai. I believe they were freed in 1945. There names are Lydia and Alexander MacDonald.

Believe they were from Sydney, Au.

Bobbie Winger

Perth WA

A very interesting site , I will add this site to my favourites , glad I met you and your lovely wife on the train ;)

sharon fair

Australia

I am looking for info on my great uncle. Private Richens Charles Stewart Abrahams

Lyn Goodale

queensland

Trying to trace my husbands uncles Peter Butterworth and Francis Butterworth both taken prisoners of war in Changi, Born Nebo Qld and died Nebo Qld

Tony Mort

Wellington, New Zealand

Response to posting by Christine Prangnell re William Daniel Elverson. UK Commonwealth War Graves has a listing for William Daniel Buller Elverson, age 49, b. abt 1893; d. 16 feb 1942; Father: Daniel Elverson; Mother: Elizabeth Sarah Elverson; Service No: P/K 55342; Sto. P.O.; RN HMS Danae; Husband of Harriet Elverson of Milton, Southsea, Hampshire; Panel 92 on Portsmouth Naval Memorial for those who died on shore; Burial Country shown as England. Above information extracted via www. Ancestry.co.uk --- hope this helps

Mike

UK 01.10.2014

Hi Christine, It doesnt sound like he was ever a POW, as he was one of over 100 missing, presumed killed at HMS Sultan shore base, on the day after the fall of Singapore. It does seem rather unusual that he is not listed on the Kranji memorial though. If you want to see the full list of the MPK go to this website: http://www.naval-history.net/xDKCas1942-02FEB.htm

christine Prangnell

hampshire

Hi.I am looking for information about my grandfather William Daniel Elverson, Petty Officer, P/K 55342. He served on HMS Deane and was last listed as serving at HMS Sultan Singapore when it fell to the Japanese. He is listed as MPK 16th February 1942 but was he PoW somewhere? Any info would be appreciated. Thanks

Tracey Curtis

Shepparton Victoria

I was wondering if anyone has any information on Keith Douglas Bell, he was in 2/9 field ambulance and was a prisoner of war. Date of Birth 12 May 1921. His service number was VX25618. I have been searching for information on the internet, but haven't found a lot. Anything would be very much appreciated.

Josephine bewers

Essex

My uncle herb was a prisoner