Far East POW Affidavits at the National Archives

Discussion in 'Prisoners of War' started by papiermache, Nov 29, 2013.

  1. papiermache

    papiermache Well-Known Member

    A number of files at Kew contain affidavits by Far East POWs. The following is a list of names of (ex) POWs under file numbers of where they can be found. The lists are in the order they appear on the files.

    The majority of the affidavits refer to POW camps in Japan but brief details are given of place of capture. Affidavits were probably forwarded to the American Judge Advocate General and there may well be further copies in the American Archives.

    Some ranks and service numbers were not given in the affidavits, probably because the witness ( or Affiant ) had returned to civilian life. Microfilm of witness cards in WO357 could be checked to ascertain a service number. The cards often have great detail about correspondence with witnesses.

    The Metropolitan Police file referred to has affidavits because the JAG used police officers to obtain statements. It appears that one police sergeant did most of the work. He sometimes reminds the JAG that he has already dealt with a request from the JAG.

    One affidavit which refers to an escape from an Italian POW camp is in the list ( Private Henry Redman, I Para. ) I will transcribe it and post it here soon.

    The "J", "JC", "JT", "JM" numbers refer to the codes for subject matters or places used by the Judge Advocate General.

    Apologies for any errors in transcription.



    WO311/546


    Lawrence, James Forbes, Capt., 153398 2 Gordon Highlanders JC/8
    Turner, Edward, Gnr. 919251, 122 Fd Regt., R.A. JC/8
    Carroll, Edward, L/Cpl., 2873840, M.C. Batt., R.E., JC/8
    Seymour, Richard Henry Carilef, Lt., 148029, 1 Indian, R.A., JT/8
    Levinson, Basil, C.Q.M.S., 4273929, 9 Ryl Northumberland Fus., JC/12
    Miller, Alexander Boustead,Sgmn., 2589017, 3 Indian Corps, RCOS, JC/12
    McGlashan, Ernest Edward, Lt., General List., JC/17
    Moddrel, Peter, Sgnm., 2323440, Hong Kong, RCOS JC/24
    Gale, Vivian George, Capt., 6 HAA Regt., R.A., JC/24
    Spencer, Victor Henry, Sub-Lt., RNVR, 828 Squad., HMS Implacable, JC/29
    Rutherforth, Fred, LBdr, 876301, 5 Fd Regt., R.A., JC/43
    Morris, Edward James, Sgnm, 2341637, RCOS, JC/43
    Scargill, James Campbell, Gnr/Dvr,853351, 5 Fd. Regt., R.A., JC/43
    Holehouse, George Frederick, AB,D/JX147322, HMS Prince of Wales, JC/45
    Morton, Thomas Goodman, Gnr, 1525340, R.A., JC/59
    Scargill, James Campbell, Gnr/Dvr, 853351, 5 Fd Rget., R.A., JC/60
    Batty, Wilfred, AC/2, 944068, 605 Fighter Squadron, RAF, JC/88
    Mogford, Edward Montague, A/Cpl., 7262114, 27 Co., RAMC, JC/88
    Tollison, Frederick Harry, WO, RAF, JC/88
    Hodson, Albert, Sgt., 805351, 605 Squadron, RAF, JC/88
    Lloyd, John Meyrick, Major, 7 Coast Regt., R.A., JC/96
    Dursley, Leslie, Gnr., 986121, 6 HAA, R.A., JC/131
    Petrie, Robin Robertson, Lt.Col., RASC. JC/131
    Popple, Ronald Douglas Haig, JC/131
    Trillwood, Ernest, PO, RAFVR, JC/131
    Barker, James Edward, Cpl, 3442395, W Yorks Regt., QMS Ind A, JC/131
    Smith, Alfred Cecil, Major,4011, FMSVR, JC/140
    Strong, Samuel George, Cpl, 526417, Marine Section, RAF, JC/148
    Leicester, Peter, Lt, 221416, Int Corps, JC/153
    Cobner, Ernest George, Sgt, 538780, Wireless Unit, RAF, JC/215, JM/14
    Scott, Eric Kenneth, Lt.Col, 93327, REME, JC/176
    Cowell, Cyril Raymond, Gnr, 1483233, 35 LAA, R.A., JC/176
    Baker, Leonard, Gnr, 1572878, 35 LAA., R.A., JC/176
    Stacey, George Llewellyn, LAC, 1267957, 141 Squadron, RAF, JC/181
    Welsh, Roland, 10530802, att. 21 LAA, RAOC, JC/181
    Thornley, Jack, LAC, 1303128, RAF, JC/181
    Toogood, Ronald John, Gnr, 909440, 118 Fd Regt., R.A., JC/181
    Smith, David, Cpl, RAF JC/181
    Simpson, Alec Neville, 2/Lt., 148034, JC/197
    William-Powlett, Peter, Lt., 3rd Hussars, JC/197
    Matthews, Gerald, W/Cdr, RAF, JC/197
    Bucke, Cyril Edward, Lt, 113054, Hong Kong, RCOS, JC/197
    Sargeant, Cyril, 5933650, 2 Cambs Regft., JC/201
    Stewart, Alan, Radio Officer, ss. "Wellpark", MN, JC/207
    Kynman, David, Sgt/WO, 1287947, 232 Squadron, RAF, JC/219
    May, Alfred William, Sgt/WO, 1253161, 232 Squadron, RAF, JC/222
    Sephton, Thomas Henry, F.O., 103215, RAF, JC/222
    Smith, Stanley Alfred, Cpl/Flt.Sgt., 543936, 36 Squadron, RAF, JC/222
    Baker, Cpl, 574188, RAF, JC/222
    Kershaw, Denis Sagar, Capt., 70846, 122 Fd Regt, R.A., JC/228
    Wood, Alfred Edward, 1Lt, 92947, 122 Fd Regt, R.A., JC/228
    Lee, Charles Albert, L/Bdr, 15 HAA, R.A., JC/229
    Vesey, Eric, Gnr, 1821778, 79 Batt., 21 LAA, R.A., JC/229
    Vesey, Eric, Gnr, 1821778, 79 Batt, 21 LAA, R.A., JC/229
    Preston, Leslie Byard, Cpl., RAF, JC/251
    Janis, Morris, Capt., 55 Bde., RASC JC/251
    Janis, Morris, Capt., 55 Bde., RASC JC/251
    McMullen, James, Border Regt., att. MP, JC/252
    Bullock, Reginald, LA/C, 1195131, RAF, JC/252
    Boxall, John William, Capt., MP, JC/252
    Hickman, John, Pte, 4857345, 1Bn Leics. Regt., JC/252
    Roberts, Harry Gordon, Sgt., 6708881, REME/ZAOW, JC/254
    Longbottom, Donald, Capt., 135834, 2 Cambs. Regt., JC/257
    Rodaway, Charles Henry, Pte, 3710515, 2 Bn Loyal Regt., JC/263
    Stanbury, Colin Godfrey, Civilian, JC/263
    Smith, William Henry, Pte, 3855187, JC/263
    Burrows, Henry Albert, m.v. "Dalhousie", MN, JC/263
    Munro, Arthur Nicholson, Civilian, Rubber Planter, JC/264 ( JC/333 )
    Levison, Allan Harold, Civilian, Merchant, JC/264
    Williams, Peter, Capt., 145330, 48 LAA, R.A., JC/265
    Wakes, Thomas Edgar, A/C, 1352775, RAF, JC/265
    Chick, Fred, Gnr, 48 LAA, R.A., JC/265
    Macdonald, James Alexander, PO, RN, JC/267
    Longbottom, Donald, Capt., 135834, Medical Officer, 2 Cambs Regt., JC/267 (?)
    Shrigley, William, PO, W.T., HMS Tamar, RN, JC/267
    Garrett, George, Flt.Sgt., 542717, RAF, JC/267
    Carter, Daniel Patrick, Pte, 3053786, Ryl Scots Regt., JC/277
    Waring, Henry, Master-at-Arms, RN, JC/277
    Purdoe, Harry, Bdr., 845760, 8th Cst Regt., R.A., JC/278
    Bankier, Robert, L/Cpl., 3054800, Ryl Scots Regt., JC/278
    Boyle, James, Pte., 2753368, Ryl Scots Regt., JC/278
    Berkeley, Thomas Richard, Gnr, 5 HAA, R.A., JC/278
    Weedon, Edwin Charles, Gnr./L/Bdr.,, 1801544, 48/49 LAA, R.A., JC/278
    Roper, Walter Empson, Gnr, 1532008, 69 LAA 21st Regt., R.A., JC/289, JC/330
    Sayer Poll, Kenneth Arthur Corscanden, LAC, 624669, MTU, RAF, JC/289
    Bray, Peter John, LAC, RAF, JC/289
    Barry, Edward, 1276492, RAF, JC/289
    Edwards, Gwilyn Merddyn, Ac/1, 1276460, 605 Squadron, RAF, JC/289
    Mullins, Edward Lindsay Carson, 2Lt, 100720, 122 Fd Regt., R.A., JC/293 JC/228
    Bosworth, Christopher, Sgt., 1057211, 122 Fd Regt., R.A., JC/293 JC/228
    Butler, Walter Villers, Capt., JC/293
    Greenlees, John Leslie, L/Cpl, 3857429, 2 Loyal Regt., JC/294
    Smart, Gordon Donald, 2 A & S H, JC/298
    Murray, Robert, Pte., 2885010, 2 A & S H, JC/298
    Blake, Henry, Pte, 2 A & S H, JC/298
    Hooren, Douglas Norman, Spr., RE, JC/300
    Billington, Reginald Clifford, Dvr., 872532, 12th Cst Regt., R.A., JC/300
    Hines, Harry, L/Sgt., 848327, Beds Yeomanry, R.A., JC/300
    McCartney, James Patrick, Pte, 3063693, 2 Ryl Scots Regt., JC/303
    Mansfield, Alfred, Gnr., 872540, HAA, R.A., JC/303
    Marr, Thomas Ferguson, Pte, 3053393, 2 Ryl Scots Regt., JC/303
    South, James, CPO, D/K.65629, RN, JC/303
    Lawrence, Joseph William Everest, Rifleman, Royal Rifles of Canada, JC/303
    Bailey, George, 9, Mostyn Gardens, Parkgate, Wirral, JC/305
    Metcalfe, Matthew, Civilian Internee, JC/306
    Tomlin, Stanley, Fusilier, 4273263, 9 Bn Royal Northumberland Fusiliers, JC/306
    Tomlin, Stanley, Fusilier, 4273263, 9 Bn Royal Northumberland Fusiliers, J/29
    Taylor, Norman, Fusilier, 4276141, 9 Bn Royal Northumberland Fusiliers, JC/306
    Stewart, William Angus, Pte, 4271490, 9 Bn Royal Northumberland Fusiliers, JC/306
    Brown, William Hines, Fusilier, 4272934, 9 Bn Royal Northumberland Fusiliers, JC/306
    Desmond, Gerald, L/Cpl, 4278348, 13 Kings Regiment, 77th Indian Inf Bde, JC/307
    Jackson, Charles Anthony, MBE, Surg Lt, RNVR, JC/312
    Johnson, Bernard, Sgt., 1869222, Royal Engineers, JC/319
    Bleazard, Thomas, Pte, 3858395, 5 Bn Loyal Regiment, JC/319
    Gladwin, Robert Henry, Sgt., 1450733, 80 AT Reg., 272 Batt, R.A., JC/319, JT/26
    Graham, Norman, LAC, 630220, RAF, JC/322
    Peck, Richard Edgar Francis, Cpl., RAF, JC/322
    Selway, Ernest Arthur, LA/C, 1404047, RAF, JC/322
    Turney, Herbert Edward, "POW", JC/331
    Munro, David McLean, civilian, rubber planter, JC/333
    Munro, Arthur Nicholson, civilian, rubber planter, JC/333
    Barker, Oliver George, civilian, rubber planter, JC/333
    Shackleton, Cedric Overton, Col, OBE, R.A.M.C., JC/336
    Shackleton, Cedric Overton, Col, OBE, R.A.M.C., JC/336 2nd Affidavit
    Gordon, Olivier Loudon, Capt., R.N., HMS Exeter, JC/338
    Syred, Deryck Ralph, Surg Lt, RNVR, HMS Encounter, JC/338

    WO311/562

    Cherry, William Thorpe, Government Printer in Singapore, Alton Hants JM/11
    Nixon, Dorothy wife of Robert Nixon, Batu Cares Estate JM/11
    Jackson, Catherine Cyril, Fed Malay States Transport Board, JM/11
    Goodall, Lionel Arthur, Edinburgh JM/11
    Travis, Samuel Eric, dir. of Henry Waugh & Co., JM/11
    Yoxall, Walter Thomas, Hong Kong & Shanghai Bank, JM/11
    MacIntosh, James, Colonial Postal Service, Malaya, JM/11
    Folley, Reginald Thomas, F/Sgt., 570210, RAF, JM/14
    Anderson, William John, Civil Servant, Hong Kong Govt., JM/16
    Nana, Elahi, 3rd Fld. Amb., HKVDC, Hong Kong
    Walker, Arthur Clifford Richard, Chief Radio Officer JM/23
    Montgomery, Edward, Sgt/CSM, 4535702, 1 Bn, West Yks Regt., JM/30
    Pate, Robert Edward, Gnr., 1111245, 135 Fld. Regt., R.A., JM/32


    WO311/545

    Finnie, Alexander James, QMS, 35 LAA, R.A., J/29
    Kelly, Charles Terence Russell, WO Pilot, 1154274, 256 Squadron, J/29
    Wood, George Henry, Chief Officer, ss "Ocean Vintage", J/29 (B/12)
    Thornhill, John, Lt./Acting Capt., P/121522, Z Coy. 9 Ryl North Fus J/29
    Self, Harold James, Pte, 5828251, 4 Suffolk Regt., J/29
    Turner, Edward, Gnr, 919251, 122 Fd Regt., R.A. / 70 West Riding Regt.JT/29
    Smith, Paul Douglas, Lt., 118 Fld. Regt., R.A., J/29
    Stephenson, Thomas Radcliffe, 3rd Eng., ss "Ocean Vintage", J/29 (B/12)
    Thompson, Thomas ( PoW) J/29
    Bentley, James Sidney, Pte, 5828897, 1 Cambs., J/29
    Bennell, Frederick, L/Cpl., 3522358, 1 Manchester Regt., J/29
    Stewart, William Angus, PoW, Morpeth, Nothumberland., J/29
    Simpson, Reginald Herbert, Flt.Lt., 21340, RAFO, J/29
    Botterill, John, 2Lt., Royal Engineers, J/29
    Looney, William Edward, Pte, 5775451, 5 Royal Norf Regt J/29
    Dew, Dorothy Florence, Rev. Mother Superior, J/32 (378)
    Bolam, David, Bandsman, 6201280, Middx. Regt., J/32
    Burrows, Norman William, Sgmn., 2589933, RCOS, J/29
    Taylor, Norman, Civilian, J/29
    Crittenden, Leslie Frank, Cpl., 46889, Middx Regt., JT/30



    MEPO3/2760

    Adams, Albert Ernest, RCOS ( Dollis Hill ) JC267
    Brown, John Gilbert Newton, Lt?, 203469, RA J/29
    Chapman, John William, RA, 35 LAA ( Seven Kings ) J/32
    Clarke, George Arthur, 1872164, RE, 41 Fortress Coy. J/29
    Finning, Robert, Cpl, 629801, RAF J/29
    Macdonald, David Terence, Dvr, 10326511 ( T/97052 ) RASC, J/29
    Deebank, Harry George, Gnr, 89 Battery 35 Regt. R.A. J/32
    Farnes, Georgfe Stanley, Aircraftsman, 913541, RAF, J/32
    Field, Walter Harold, Coxswain, HMS Moth, RN, J/32
    Frow, Kenneth George, 2Lt, 129303, 3rd Hussars, J/32
    Shrigley, William, Petty Officer, HMS Tamar, RN J/32
    Stiff, Cecil Sidney Gower, (Pte), 6021177, 5 Suffolk JC/110
    Turner, John, 2Lt, 129630, Loyal Regt, J32/285
    Williams, Peter, Captain, J32/156
    Bridger, Kenneth Arthur, Gnr, 1614705, 79 LAA, J/32
    Clapp, Walter Stanley, 1 Bn Middlesex Regt, J/32
    Mullins, Edward Lindsay Carson, 2Lt, 100720, 122 Fld. Regt, J/32
    Redman, Henry, ( Pte), 5443909, I Para, ( North Africa ) FS/42
    Regan, Victor Cecil, Gnr, 1055003, 125 A/T, J/32
    Smith, William Henry, Pte, 3855187, Loyal Regt., J/32
    Teale, Harry Earnest, 1450944, Ground Gunner, RAF J/32
    Williams, Peter, Capt., 145330, 48 LAA J/32
    Bothwick, Edward Ronald, Gnr, 944671, 118 Fld. Regt., J/32
    Jamieson-Ellis, Leonard Wooldridge, Sgt., Shanghai Police, JC/6
    Gould, Herbert, Pte 6201152, Middx Regt., J/32
    Stephenson, Frederick George, Cpl, 2360204, RCOS, J/32
    Williams, Edward Cornelius, L/Cpl, 7262679, 32 Cpy., RAMC, J/32
    Johnson, Emmie Alice, Baptist Missionary Society, JC/6
    Hall, Roland, Sgt, 56430, RASC, JM/29
    Topping, Charles Arthur Swan, P/JX 294873, HMS Annking, JC/280
    Attiwell, Kenneth Andrew, 2 Lt, 151869, 6HAA, J/32
    Brown, Robert William Warner, MD, Lt, RAMC JM/22
    Clark, Robert, Gnr, 1772029, LAA, J/32
    Collins, Robert Elford, AC1, 115907, WT/Mech, RAF
    Hancock, Albert William, St. Sgt, 6913122, att Indian Army, J/32
    Moore, Thomas William, Lt/Act.Maj., 161858, 85 A/T, J/65
    Wade, Henling Thomas Arthur, Lt, Loyal Regt., J/32
    Bainbridge, Reginald Thomas, Flt. Lt., RAF, JC/85
    Baker, George Sidney, CQMS, 817070, 2 Loyal Regt.
    Benham, Leonard Richard, S/259086, RASC
    Bray, Edwin John, Gnr, 1614704, 79 LAA
    Clarke, Arthur William Frederick, Gnr, 1758832, 199 Bt, 69 Regt./ 49 Bt, 48 Regt., RA
    Court, Jack Ernest, Gnr, 1626822, 77th Welsh HAA
    Garner, Leslie William, Gnr, 1491797, 77 HAA
    Gepp, Walter Harry Howard, Pte, 1874207, RE
    Holter, William Arthur, SMan, 2333413, RCOS
    Kirby, Edwin, Gnr, 1639303, 35 LAA
    Owen, Alfred James, Gnr, 1599635, 21 LAA
    Pardoe, Charles Frederick, Gnr, RA
    Trillwood, Ernest, Flying Officer (Admin), RAF
    Turner, George William, 2nd Engineer, MV Sutlej, Merchant Navy
     
    timuk, Tullybrone, dbf and 2 others like this.
  2. Uncle Jack

    Uncle Jack Member

    Thanks John for posting this index...
    My Uncles Affidavit was not listed .. Ronald Arthur Johnson. Great detective work by you found him in WO361/1581 and led to evidence of an affidavit in WO356/16 and 22. With this I was able to use the resources in The USA National Archives to find a the afidavit and get a copy.

    Sometimes takes several steps to gert to an original source but well worth it and John's help and encouragement was invaluable

    Robin
     
    papiermache likes this.
  3. Lindele

    Lindele formerly HA96

    Hi John,

    you said that the majority refer to POW camps in Japan. Any camps in Germany? I would be interested in OFLAG V B.

    Stefan.
     
  4. bamboo43

    bamboo43 Very Senior Member

    Thanks for posting papiermache, always interesting and informative.
     
  5. papiermache

    papiermache Well-Known Member

    Thanks, Robin, Stefan and Steve.

    Robin and Steve: you are too kind. A proper index would refer to other men referred to in the affidavits, but it is a start. I have photographs of the affidavits so may be able to help anyone interested in anybody I have named.

    I have just posted the Redman affidavit on a different thread.

    Stefan:

    There are no affidavits about Germany on the files I have listed.

    The minor war crimes trials in the Far East were managed by different Army commands through Military Tribunals throughout the Far East. There a number of differences between the cases. For example, the records of the proceedings of the Military Tribunals tend to be a full transcript of the whole of the court proceedings in the case of the Far East cases, but transcripts of the cases held in Germany tend to be less detailed, or so I am informed. I know very little about the cases.

    The trial proceedings are In WO235. Files from WO235/1 to WO235/812 are concerned with Europe. From WO235/813 to about WO235/1117 the files concern Far East cases. I have not opened all these files.

    I am not aware of a subject index for the cases in WO235.

    At the National Archives the card index system of trials, accused, prison records, victims, witnesses, place names etc. for the Far East is available to readers as photographs on microfilm in WO356 and WO357. WO356 is available as a free download from the National Archives.

    Unfortunately the file numbers at the National Archives are different from the card index numbers. Sometimes a "former reference" can be found but it is not of much use.

    The cards for German cases are available as original documents ( no microfilm ) and can be viewed in the small room behind the reception desk but not in the main reading room. I do not know why this is. However, the cards can be copied.

    There should be cards filed by place names. Accused and witness cards will begin with the name of an individual and then go on to refer to an Oflag, for example, or some other place or POW camp.

    I only looked at these cards once, so am not an expert. There are many boxes.

    You can search for "Oflag" in the main "Discovery" search engine at the National Archives which will bring up over 100 file references for investigations into war crimes at the German POW camps. These files may be of help to you.

    The University of Marburg is building information about war crimes cases. They may be able to help. Search for "War Crimes Marburg" and you will get the website.

    The United Nations has an archive in America but for almost all intents and purposes it is a closed archive.
     
  6. Owen D

    Owen D Member

    John,

    I appreciate that I am coming to this thread very late, but I am presently researching 6210643 Private Walter ‘Wally’ Stanley CLAPP, 1st Bn Middlesex Regt., who was taken PoW by the Japanese, at HK, on 25 December 1941. I am very interested to see him listed under the MEPO3/2760 list above.

    You mention that you have photographs of the affidavits - I wonder if I could kindly ask if you have such for Clapp? Anything you might have and any guidance steer on how best to follow him up at Kew would be very gratefully received.

    Thank you,

    Owen
     
  7. papiermache

    papiermache Well-Known Member

    Owen D,

    I hope you can read the attached.

    Good night.

    John
     

    Attached Files:

  8. Owen D

    Owen D Member

    Hello John,

    I am so very grateful to you for taking precious time to respond and so positively - this affidavit is pure gold for me and actually makes me quite emotional, reading his words first hand. I have responded to the conversation you opened with me, but that was before seeing your reply here, so hopefully you can now make sense of why I said what I did about not knowing why he was at Camp Shinagawa (i.e. patient or worker). Now I know!

    I also said that a simple 'thank you' is woefully inadequate for the help you have provided. I am indebted, Sir.

    Owen
     
    Tullybrone, bamboo43 and 4jonboy like this.
  9. papiermache

    papiermache Well-Known Member

    Hello Owen,

    Welcome to the forum. I will reply to your conversation.

    There is a little more information here from the Cofepow website. This is the first page of a "Liberation Questionnaire". There may be more information on the second page, available at Kew.

    Clapp, Walter Stanley

    I hope that someone on the forum will seek out his IJA card.

    Thank you very much for your kind words.

    John
     
  10. Owen D

    Owen D Member

    Goodness me John, another inadequate thank you. The LQ page has me misty eyed all over again - not just the information, but in his own handwriting. I started out believing that he had only been subjected to two PoW Camps, one in HK (which we now know was Shamshuipo...Dec 41 - Sep 42) and one in Japan (Shinagawa Camp, Tokyo...which we now know was from Sep 42 - Jan 43). Now I know that he was also a PW in "Tokio No. 3 Hosp" (Jan - Oct 43), "Omori, Tokio" (Oct 43 - Jun 45) and Suwa (Jun - Aug 45).

    Am I right in thinking that the TNA Ref for Clapp's LQ is WO 344/6? So that I might see what page 2 contains, if I can get there.

    Plenty of homework now...

    Owen
     
    papiermache likes this.
  11. bamboo43

    bamboo43 Very Senior Member

    I think this is it, front and back:

    48741_b429151-01073.jpg 48741_b429151-01074.jpg
     
    papiermache and timuk like this.
  12. papiermache

    papiermache Well-Known Member

    Thanks for finding the card, Steve.

    Thanks Owen. I have sent you some more homework in a further conversation.

    It is by no means certain that the second page has writing on the LQ but has to be checked.

    File series WO 344 holds both European and Far East LQs and the correct reference is this:

    Reference: WO 344/369/1
    Description:
    CHESHAM - CLARKE M
    Date: 1945-1946
    Held by: The National Archives, Kew
    Legal status: Public Record(s)
    Closure status: Open Document, Open Description
    Access conditions: Retained Until 2004
    Record opening date: 01 December 2004


    Best wishes and good hunting !

    John
     
  13. Owen D

    Owen D Member

    Steve and John,

    Thank you again - I seem to be entering a debt spiral to you both, and to all on this forum, who have helped. I am so very grateful for the wealth of sources and material offered up. Walter is beginning to emerge from the shadows.

    Can I ask what "IJA" stands for, in respect of the Index Cards above - Imperial Japanese Army?

    John mentioned that there are records at some of the genealogy sites and I have managed to find digitized records of him being posted as Missing, Not Missing but POW, and then as a PoW at Shinagawa (all FMP) and I have also taken a subscription at Ancestry to search this evening.

    Thank you all, again,

    Owen
     
  14. papiermache

    papiermache Well-Known Member

    Owen,

    The Imperial Japanese Army must have had lots of card systems but the PoW cards are the definitive "IJA cards" to Fepow researchers. Old hacks like me used to see them at Kew in large boxes containing up to 900 or so cards per box. They were often put back in the box out of alphabetical order so it was often a case of going though the box and putting it back into order, much to the annoyance of passing "blue coats" such as Annie, who used to become agitated to see piles of cards out of the box being "shuffled". It was usual when at Kew to go from LQs in WO 344 to IJA card boxes in WO 345. The Friends of the Dutch Archive have systematically translated cards ( into English ! ) and put them online here: Japanse interneringskaarten

    For example, search for "Thailand" at the link and see Japanese handwriting transformed into typescript.

    You will be an expert in no time ! John
     
    Last edited: Oct 8, 2022
  15. Owen D

    Owen D Member

    Thanks John, I am learning (still on stabilisers), but expert...I think you are safe with that mantle for quite some time to come. It is a few years since I had any boxes of files delivered to me at Kew and touching those made me nervous under the watchful eyes of the 'blue coats', so shuffling 900 index cards would take some strength of character and perhaps a touch of something else...

    I found (at Ancestry) the IJA Index Cards, which Steve very kindly posted above. I also looked at the Dutch website and it is an extraordinary feat of collective effort.

    Owen
     
    papiermache and bamboo43 like this.
  16. bamboo43

    bamboo43 Very Senior Member

    I used to love looking through those boxes and picking out those for the personnel held at Rangoon Jail and then photographing them. It took me quite a few years to search every box and build the database for the jail. The Dutch website enabled me to pick up the 330 or so Dutch POWs who spent a short period inside Rangoon Jail (Oct. 42-Jan.43) after their ship the Tacoma Maru was caught in a tropical storm and had to dock at Rangoon.

    If only I had known that one day all these cards would be available online!!!
     
    papiermache likes this.
  17. papiermache

    papiermache Well-Known Member

    This site is worth exploring for some Japanese translated in to English

    Japan Center for Asian Historical Records

    This item concerning British PoWs being used as street sweepers in Rangoon can be downloaded. The link opens a short pdf which scrolls from Japanese to the French text of a protest:
    2. Documents relating to British protests (including territories and possessions) / 1. Protests against treatment of prisoners of war (British) in Rangoon
    “2. Documents relating to British protests (including territories and possessions) / 1. Protests against treatment of prisoners of war (British) in Rangoon” Japan Center for Asian Historical Records (JACAR) Ref.B02032502000, Documents relating to Greater East Asia War / Treatment of nationals of enemy countries and prisoners of war between belligerent countries / General and specific problems / Protests against Japan, Vol. 2 (A-7-0-0-9_11_1_6_002) (Diplomatic Archives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs)

    If only that was all there was for Sir Robert Craigie to protest about.
     
    bamboo43 likes this.
  18. bamboo43

    bamboo43 Very Senior Member

    Thanks for this John.
     
    papiermache likes this.
  19. Owen D

    Owen D Member

    Thanks from me too - the context and background provided by information at these links is a great help.

    Owen
     
    papiermache likes this.
  20. David Pate

    David Pate New Member

    Pate, Robert Edward, Gnr., 1111245, 135 Fld. Regt., R.A., JM/32. Appears in an earlier post at the head of this thread. Friends of mine have recently visited Singapore and have uncovered a post war transcript of a witness statement taken in Lancaster in 1946 and I am wondering whether the Kew archive may have a copy of the original and other related documents.

    any assistance greatly appreciated. I am his grandson and only recently uncovered details of his experiences overseas.

    Regards David Robert Pate
     

Share This Page