Guestbook

Kelly Haniford

Adelaide

My father's Uncle William (Bill) John Haniford SX9611, Private, served with 2/3 Machine Gun Battalion. My research is in its infancy and I would really appreciate any information/memories/stories anybody has or photos of Bill. I have records from the Australian War Memoriam stating that he was at Camp 95 Pallestine at one point and also Section B Java in the List by Theatres of War. It also states that a letter from Bill was smuggled to William Schmitt from one POW camp to another. Bill Haniford had just returned from the Burma Thailand Railway. A big thank you to Mr Peter Winstanley for creating this wonderful site and honouring the men who served. My family had nothing until I new a bit more by speaking with you only yesterday. You give me hope I may have some more memories for my Dad and his brothers.

Patricia Polley

Barkway, Hertfordshire england

My late father was taken prisoner at singapore, he told me lots of stories about his time in the camps, the japenese, sent cards to relatives i still have this card which was send to his mother. My fathers name was Richard William Croot he was a private in the suffolk regiment, he was always called Bill. I know he was in No 1 camp in Thailand, he had a very good atitude to his experiences not hating and talking aboit his experiences, i would love to hear from anyone still alive out there who would remember him, he was also with alot of australians, who he had a high regard.

Jess Pearce

Wirral, Uk

John Higginson was called up, at the outbreak of war and served as a
medic/bandsman (drummer) with the R.A.M.C.
He was taken by the Japanese when Singapore fell and served the remainder of
his war service in the infamous Changi Goal. He helped, I think, in the
building of both the Burma Road and Railway helping to keep many of his
comrades and himself alive with the use of his B'head guile and medical
skills. A quiet unassuming man, there was much more to John than he would
have you believe. He won the Burma Star and was a member of The Burma Star
Association. He hated the Japanese, until his death, with a vengeance that
was unbounding!

Pat Herrin

louisiana

CPL Douglas D Herrin.He was in the army world was 2..he was on the bataan death march and a p o w.i found this information.kwan 10-8-1942 tottori maru Cabanatuan bilibid p o w camp..he was my American hero my dad..he was tortured,starved.i have pictures of him when he first came home.weight was 90 pds. sores on his face.very sad.anyone new him please contact me.i want to no more

Sandra Holmes

Cambridge United Kingdom

My dearest Dad who is still alive 93 years, was a prisoner of the Japanese and worked (slave) on the infamous railway. I admire may father very much and all the young men who died and survived in such circumstances. I have just found this website and pleased to add my Dad's name: Ewart Holmes - Smokie or Jack to his army mates - Cambridgeshire Regiment.

Linda

Tennessee

My uncle died in a pow camp in or near Osaka Japan, his mane was George Washington Collins....G.W. was what everyone called him. I believe I have just found info that my great grandfather may have been a pow in manchuria, I'm still checking on that, his name was William L Hankins. I just discovered this site.

Linda

UK

I am researching the life of my Great Uncle Harry: Gunner Harry Robertson of the 9th Coast Regiment, Royal Artillery, Glasgow. He was captured in Singapore and died working on the Death Railway. I visited his grave in Kanchanaburi, Thailand and was immensely moved by these men's sacrifice. I am particularly searching for info on two of his friends: Alf Fields and Alan Jenkins. Thank you.

Jose M. Garcia

Boerne Tx

My father Pedro G Garcia, was pow for 3 1/2 yrs

Linda Lenox

Wichita, KS, USA

Researching my father-in-law Leslie Charles Smith (TX4466) who was reported "Missing" in Malaya 16 Feb 1942, reported as a POW 13 Oct 1943, and reported "Alive in Siam" 22 Aug 1945. He returned to Australia on the "Highland Chieftain" out of Singapore on 24 Sep 1945. Les Smith was a Driver (DVR) with the 2/3 MAC. Am trying to ascertain where he was held, whether he would have worked on the Burma/Thai Railroad, battles, etc.

Angus Bliss

Newcastle

My father Roy Joseph Bliss was in the 2/19 battalion. He never spoke much of it. Are there any lists available of the battalion, the units within, who went to the Burma/Thailand railway etc. I have his service record but it has a three year gap in it. He was apparently in Siagon at wars end.

justine coleman

was uk now australia

my father was captured in Singapore.
Was at change....
he lists these camps

chonxi
bangnosa
wongyi and tamuang....can anyone tell me any information about any of these camps.

nicholai knuppe

Perth W Australia

I am trying to find information on Hank van Citroen, a Dutch POW. He was on the Burma railway and tried to escape from Changi. He was my unofficial godfather.

Brian Chalmers

Boondall Qld

I am looking for any info on my grandfather Thomas James Extrem NX51274 2/19 batt
who died in Sumatra in 1945 aged 44.
I

Doreen Murphy

Ireland

Hi am tryng to get information of my father who was in Burma til; 1943. His name was Sergean Hubert Murphy and was from wicklow ireland.

Doreen Murphy

Ireland

Hi am tryng to get information of my father who was in Burma til; 1943. His name was Sergean Hubert Murphy and was from wicklow ireland.

Shirley Barnes

Leicester, England

My dad, Albert Barnes, ex Royal Artillery, passed away in November 2012. He had been told he had 4 months to live in May 2009. Dad was one of the most strong willed people I ever met so he ignored the doctors and lived for three and a half years!!It was this determination that got him through Changi, the Death railway, the Kachidoki Maru, being in the sea for days and then facing yet another camp, Sakata, in Japan. He lived to almost 92, and while his thoughts were sometimes warped by creeping dementia, his memories of the men he fought with and the horrific treatment they endured at the hands of the Japanese, never left him, right up to the end. He gave up hoping that the Japanese Governement would make a real and heartfelt apology for what they did to so many. Thank youo for this site as it keeps the memries of what so many endured, alive.

Julia Sundin

Sydney

I would be very pleased to hear from ANYONE who knew my father Major Ernie Marsden who was a prisoner on Changi during the second world war. He was the medico at Hellfire Pass for a large part of that time.

Anthony Spero

United Kingdom

My late father Corporal David Spero RAF was a POW in Java and then Sumatra at the infamous Pakanbaroe death railway.He was in camp 1,2 and 3.He became famous in camp 3 and mentioned in despatches.He sold all the offices and prisoner clothes and watches by going into the village and selling it to the locals.With the money he obtained food and took it back to the POW.Himand an Irishman by the name of Paddy were the only ones who were prepared to do this risky job.I also have my late fathers writings of his experiences as he was interviewed in the 70s by someone who wanted to write a book about his experiences.Sadly this was

Graham Thorne

Barnstaple Devon

Trying to find any information about Alfred (Alfie) Thorne my late cousin who was a prisoner of war in Burma from Westbury On Trym Bristol a prisoner at Burma for several years released after the war with injuries which meant he could not wear shoes and unfortunately could not reintegrate into 'normal' life and became homeless.

Paul Wilson

Alford. Lincolnshire

Hi, looking for information on James Albert Wilson. He was my grandad and told me many stories of his capture and time as a Japanese prisoner of war. Unfortunately he passed away in 2009 on his 89th birthday. He went by the name of Albert

chris

kapunda sa

many years ago i purchased several pow artifacts from the caloundra military museum, amongst these items was a handmade australian flag with a tag that reads changi flag made by sgt aj buckley 10/22 field regement with mates help, the flag is made from military cloth and shows signs of being flown for a period of time, i am wondering if anyone might have any information about this flag.

Lewis

Cheshire

I am looking for further information about my Grandad Frank Roche, who was a POW at the Changi Camp. He was a Butcher and born on 26/03/1923.

Ken Broadhead

Sydney

An Obituary for Dr Lloyd Cahill was published in the Sydney Morning Herald on 17 January 2013; he was 98. LtCol Winstanley has a comprehensive summary of his life and a video interview with Dr Cahill done in 2005 - more than worth a look. A fine and indeed priceless tribute to a wonderful Australian.

Jon Smith

Kent, UK

Thursday 17 Jan 2013
My father was L Bombardier L W Smith. Captured in Singapore on15 Feb 1942 he too nended up on Rakuyo Maru after stories similar to the others you read here. He with 3 Australians was picked up by USS Sealion. Thankyou to the crew of that submarine.

Eugene flynn

Dublin ireland

My uncle Nicholas Flynn a merchant seaman was imprisoned in changi gaol during the war. Where could I get any information about his experience. He has been dead for sometime