1860929 Fred Forsythe ROWLANDS, 40 Fortress Coy, Royal Engineers, FEPOW: 12/10/1942

Hi everyone,I am researching the above Sapper, who died on the 12th October 1942 but was captured on Christmas Day 1941. On the Casualty List (Below) there were probably hundreds, if not thousands also captured, can anyone shed any light on what happened so I can tell his story so he won't be forgotten.

Commonwealth War Graves Commission
Sapper
ROWLANDS, FRED FORSYTH
Service Number 1860929
Died 12/10/1942
Aged 47
40 Fortress Coy. Royal Engineers

Son of Fred and Jane Elizabeth Rowlands.

I have his family and siblings, it is what happened on Christmas Day 1941, please forgive my lack of information on this, I am learning all the while, so the answere will widen my knowledge.
Kind regards, Mavis Williams

 

Thank you dbf, much appreciated, they don't normally have 4 Concentration Documents. Kind regards, Mavis

 

This website shows his posting to the Hong Kong garrison: Hong Kong War Diary His footnote is not listed though.

There is this 2003 book: Not the Slightest Chance: The Defence of Hong Kong, 1941 By Tony Banham

Try this historian's website: Hong Kong War Diary

Memorial has a little more: Ro Database

There are no other threads here on 40 Fortress Company; there are many threads on Hong Kong, none appear to be focused the fall of the colony. As always Wiki provides a starting point: Battle of Hong Kong - Wikipedia

Google says there is a mention of the Company in this document: https://www.kcl.ac.uk/library/assets/archives/china.pdf

This document refers to the Company being augmented by local Chinese soldiers: http://download.viipillars.com/A_Forgotten_History_English_Version.pdf

Others, more expert than I may be along to help. I have doubts that a War Diary will exist given that the garrison surrendered.

Welcome and good luck.

 

WOW, thank you davidbfpo, so much to keep me going, I am sure I will be able to shed a little light on what happened for the family, if they don't already know of course! Just don't want him to be forgotten for his sacrifice, it must have been hell for them all. Bless them. Regards, Mavis

 

Little to add to the above. Fred Rowlands was transported from Hong Kong on 27 Sept 42 on board the Lisbon Maru. The Lisbon Maru was torpedoed and sunk by USS Grouper. Fred survived and was taken to Japan. He arrived at Osaka 1 (Minato-ku) on 11 Oct 42 and died 12 Oct 42.



Tim

 

Mavis,

There are many threads here on the Lisbon Maru and Tony Banham has written a book on the sinking: The Sinking of the Lisbon Maru: Britain's Forgotten Wartime Tragedy. See: Lisbon Maru

Wiki is a place to start: Lisbon Maru - Wikipedia and I have just skimmed this account: The Lisbon Maru | COFEPOW

 

Thank you timuk and davidbfpo for this wonderful information. Can I ask, so I can write down the source, where you got the information timuk, as I would like to be correct and will of course credit you all, and the forum, when I write his story. Also, did I read the CWGC Graves Concentration Report Form correctly. Where they all, or most cremated? I wouldn't be able to have done so much work without the forum's help, you have helped me hundreds of times, I am sure.
Kindest regards, Mavis

 

Hi Mavis,
Here's the link to info in my #6 POW Research Network Japan | Researches | List of Deceased POWs | List by Camp
Cremation was the normal procedure in Japan.
Always willing to help you when I can as your work is so important. Hope you are now keeping well.

Tim
Edit to add. More info on the Lisbon Maru Lisbon Maru
(not sure if this is same link as that at #7 as I can't get it to open)

 

Thank you again Tim, and for answering my question about cremation. Thanks also for your concern, yes,thank you again, after 2 and a half years I think I am almost out the wood. My project has kept me going, I must finish as much as I can. I wouldn't have done it without the Forum and your help.
I was having trouble opening that too (#7), but the above opened nicely.
Kindest regards,
Mavis

 

Mavis & Tim,

The two links 'Lisbon Maru' are different and I can open both.

 

Thanks davidbfpo, I tried it several times, strange isn't it.