Guestbook

Glenda Blair

StHelens Tasmania

My wonderful Dad was a prisoner of war in Changi ,He is Roland Jetson known as Bill. I recently had the great privelege of attending a memorial at Greens Beach for the 2/40th. Of the only ten that are still alive, six of these wonderful men were in attendance. Their stories will never be forgotten, as we are so very proud of them we will always tell their stories. What brave amazing men they were, and still are.My Dad will be 90 on the 8-5-210, and is still an amazing, gentleman.

Ian Williams

Norwich, UK

Grandfather (Max) and Great Uncle (Donald) operated a wireless set through Changi, Chunkai, Tamakan and Canburi.

Ginger

Michigan

I am looking for any family of J. Buchanan. I have a pair of chopsticks with this engraved on them:
1942 Thailand (Buchanan J), Japan 1941,1942 P.O.W. 1945 ( Buchanan J.), Milaya 1937. If any one can help me get these to the correct family, I would be thankful. These were my fathers, and I feel they should be with the correct family.

Ray Wooster

WOOLGOOLGA NSW

My late uncle NX47892 Pte Lionel Victor (Vic) Kearns AAMC 10 Aust Gen Hosp born Carrington NSW 21 Jan 1920 was like many captured with the fall of Singapore. Vic spent the remainder of his services as a POW, was in Changi from February 42 until August 43 and then sent with "L" Force to the railway in Thailand

Apart from a few whispered words from his younger brother, about escape and recapture nothing is known.
Vic never ever spoke a word of his service and during my family history research I stumbled upon his service records. I now know why.

Does anyone with information on L Force or 10 AGH they could share?

Cheers
Ray Wooster
ex RAAMC

Carole Dixon

England

Further to my previous request, I have added my email address in the hope that someone out there can give me some answers about my Father, Leonard Frank Tyler who was captured in the Second World War.

Carole Dixon (formerly Tyler)

England

My father, Leaonard Frank Tyler Army No: 7602305 was a POW in Ranau Camp, Batavia, Java. He was there from 1942 until his release. Can anyone tell me about this camp and did anyone know him? He never spoke about his experiences up to his death in 1986.

Betty Knight

Adelaide SA

My dear uncle Frank Knight was taken prisoner after the fall of Singapore. He went missing 8th April 1942. On 29 Dec 1943 he was interred in Thai camp and then on 23 June 1945 was a prisoner at Fukuoka camp. He was the best uncle always happy but it never ceased to amaze me that this beautiful man of such small stature, being only 5 feet tall, how on earth he survived the atrocities that were meted on them.
It has taken so long to find a site so dedicated to those amazing men. Thank you so much

Colin O'Brien

Grapevine Texas

My Grandfather Patrick A O'Brien 155th Lanarkshire Royal Artillary.
He never talked about his imprisonment and I am now only finding out how horrific the 4 1/2 years of hell he went through was. He worked on the Burma railway as a labourer as did many of the captives, If any one can give me any information on this subject I will be very greatfull.
Also thier is charity COFEPOW that also has been very great.
Iam trying to find out what prisobn camp he was in?

Roland Torrens

Canberra, Australia

My wife's great uncle BRIG Duncan Maxwell kept a diary whilst a POW in Changi, Formosa and Manch He kept a diary throughout the period it was transcribed by Glenn McIntyre does anyone know wher I can get a copy

Deane Thrower

Goulburn

Hi, im researching my grandfather Maple John Leicester Thrower and his service within the 2/19th. I have limited information on him, to date i know he was a part of Rose Force and was a POW in Fukoka-22-Honami when he was released. Im hoping that you may have some records as he died in 1967. Thankyou

Web Site Owner

Perth Western Australia

This was extracted from YouTube comments.
<br>WELLBRAN:
Thank you for all involved in these clips, recording history for future generations, please do not loose these footages! I found it interesting having never been able to talk to my father in depth on his own experiences, as in our house it was a taboo subject. And then he died so young just when I was old enough to maybe start to ask him as an adult or man to man what happened to him and get it down in writing or cassette tape (at that time) That's why I have made my own clip for him, and plan another in the future when I have time and inspiration. Once again thanks, also to the young lad here who commented before me, well done to take interest in this. As a small boy I always thought my Dad story and people like him should be heard and told. As in many cases I have heard that these stories are hardly believed by others.
<br>
PREVIOUS COMMENT:
TheProudAussie -Cheers for the uploads. I may be young (16) but I really enjoyed the interview? with Bill Fitch.

Laurie Harvey

Perth

I am after information regarding WX10822 Corporal Lawrence John Harvey of the 2/4th machine gun battalion. I wish to know which work camp Lawrence was in after the fall of Singapore and before being transported to Japan on the Rakuyo Maru.

Lawrence was lost at sea when the Rakuyo Maru was sunk by a US submarine in 1944.
Any help would be vital to family history.

Thanks to all involved with this terrific web site.

Regards
Laurence Harvey.

James C

Portsmouth, England

I never cease to be amazed at what these guys went through and am eternally grateful to them.

Melanie Talbot

South Africa

Can anyone help? I am looking for any information on my grandfather Jan Wilhem Onink he was a pilot in the Dutch East Indies and was captured around 1942. I have no idea what camps etc he went to and am wanting to find out. Thank you

Mrs Lyn Kinsella

Purfleet Essex

I'm trying to find the name of the POW camp my Dad was in during ww2 but I don't know how to go about it. Can anybody give me any advice please, thank you.

Ash Dixon

Perth, WA

This site and Lt Col Peter Winstanley are a blessing to the memory and the history of these brave POW's.
My Grandfather is Sapper Dixon 2/4 CCS who helped make the surgical equipment and artificial legs in 55 kilo camp and others. I am keen and eager to know more about not only my Grandfather and his time within the camps but also the brave Surgeons and work undertaken such as Lt Col Thomas Hamilton and Lt Col Albert Coates. If l can assist or help anyone please feel free to drop me a line.

David Hope

Singapore

I am researching the evacuation ships of Singapore and am particularly interested in any information related to the sinking of the Kuala and the Tien Kwang off Pompomg Island on the 14th of February 1942. My website is http://www.singaporeevacuation1942.com

Arthur Wallace

Canberra Australia

Im looking for anyone who knows any jnfo about Bertie and Mamie Bell - Bertie was the Shipyard Manager of the Taikoo Dockyard during WW 2- POW at Changie we think. -

Brian Bevan

Tracing family history, I found my uncle (Sgt) Fred Bevan was one of the 2/3 Motor Ambulance Convoy. This site gave me a real perspective of him during WW2.

Rance Jurevwicz

http://www.veteranprograms.com/id194.html

Happy New Year! We love this website. It has been very helpful for our members. Also, our members tell us that our website is the best place for veterans to find information about compensation, pension and benefits for veterans. We have been told that VSOs now recommend that veterans visit our website first before filing a claim. Veterans learn about the process, who to see, where to go, and how to maximize their disability claims. Visit today!

http://www.veteranprograms.com/id194.html

Glen Barwick

Nowra, NSW

My Father, Leslie Jones Barwick 2/20 Battalion was a prisoner at the Naoetsu camp. He died of his war injuries in June 1983. "Lest we Forget". "Those who forget the past are condemned to repeat it"
Thanks for this resource. GB

Peter Winstanley

Perth Western Australia

Does anyone have maps of the POW Camps at Nakhon Nayok or Phitsanaluk which were occupied by POWs in 1945.
Three doctors were in Phitsanaluk, They were Captain Jim Marks (RAMC) Captain Tom le Gay Brereton (AAMC) and LT Poh (SSVF)

David Auker-Howlett

Mitcheldean, England

My Grandfather was a Pharmacist in Kuala Lumpa
he was captured and held prisoner working on the burma railway, as many ex pows he did not speak much about his experiences, i am looking for any information on his internment as i am compiling family history for a future book. His name was William "BILL" Auker-Howlett.

Justine Stavris

Melbourne, Australia

My Great-Aunt, Jessie Duijm (nee Burlage), turned 100 years old on November 30th. Jessie is of Dutch-Indonesian descent and was interned in Japanese POW camps on Soerabaja in Indonesia as was her husband "Tjeerd Duijm". Tante Tita (as we affectionately call her), has not recounted much of her experiences as a POW however, given that her mind is 100% intact, I will make it my mission to find out more from her before it is too late.

j.k.pattnaik

india

My father Late D.C.Pattnaik SR 773871{ Hav/SH},54 supply issue section{cnverted to 13 Indian composite platoon} 1st Indian Infantry Brigade,23 Indian Division REASC served in Burma,Singapore,Malay,Java,Sumatra{Indonasia} in 2nd World war under S.E.A.C. He was Mentioned-in-Despatches vide London Gazzette 27 Sept 1945{Supplimentary}. Received Jangi Inam,1939-45 War Medal 2nd WW Medal,Burma Star,received a japanese sword as personal war trofy. He was once made POW by Japanese Army wherein many of his co-soldiers were butchered, but later escaped by killing the Japnese sentry. Many times he was refering his Commandant Capt O.S.Knowles of 54 Supply Issue Section. I need his service records & need to know the whereabout of Capt Knowels, if dead, the address of his family.