Hi from Australia all, thought you may be interested in site we put up for dad's artwork who was Lance Bombardier on 25 pounders Introducing a new website of 300 images dedicated to Des Bettany who served during WWII with Lancashire gunners on 25 pounders. Evacuated from Dunkirk and posted to North Malaya he was imprisoned by the Japanese at various sites POW camps in Changi. He painted to keep his sanity. This artwork of his service life before and after the Capitulation of Singapore is a range of fascinating illustrations, done sometimes with humour. This new website has been put together by us, Des’ family as a tribute and to help raise awareness of what the POWs went through, as seen through the eyes of one man, Des Bettany. After 60 years in a cupboard, at last, this artwork is available to all who have access to the internet. The site can be found at The Changi POW Artwork of Des Bettany | Prisoner of War at Changi, Singapore Cheers Keith (Toby) Bettany
Lovely artwork , cheers for sharing. Now going to have a better look after a quick browse. edit: any idea behind the story of pic called Itlay? Italy | The Changi POW Artwork of Des Bettany He didnt serve there so was that done for a friend ? I like this one & you make a good point. ‘Fancy Dress Ball’ | The Changi POW Artwork of Des Bettany The ex-POW has ‘dressed’ as a Changi POW for a fancy dress ball, only to find no-one has heard of Changi or what went on there (a good reason for this website to exist!).
Fantastic Artwork. My sister in laws' father was in Changi so she will be very pleased with these. Well done and thanks for posting them here. Cheers Geoff
Toby, thanks for sharing your excellent website the artwork and humour are at odds with the events of Changi, and as such makes your dads sketchbook a true inspiration that such a thing could be achieved, the picture of the Para could well be the gent mentioned here....But my regard for history, defence and international relations – later developed at university and in my writing for specialist journals – was encouraged by my stepfather Ian Jackson. He had served both as a paratrooper and commando during WWII and had parachuted into Normandy. He had also, as a young surgeon, operated at the Royal London Hospital in the East End during the height of the Blitz. Towards the end of the war he had been part of the medical team that relieved the infamous Japanese POW camp in Singapore’s Changi jail. The link to the page is broken so I had to C&P the above info, I have always been told that my Dad was at Changi with the liberating troops or passed through a little while after, so I have always had a intrest in Changi, are there plans to make the pictures and any other related information into a book in its own right as I for one would buy it.......all the best Jason.
That's a superb website you have there with some extraordinary images. Thank you for sharing the link. I wonder if the Mods might consider adding the website to the other related links list?
Yes I agree Owen and am trying to find that building in books and photos (Italy). From my research, it is obvious dad painted some images from local newspapers and English art books. I am trying to figure out what some of the other cartoons mean, (maybe hidden meanings in them), if you have any ideas, let me know.
Fantastic Artwork. My sister in laws' father was in Changi so she will be very pleased with these. Well done and thanks for posting them here. Cheers Geoff HI Spidge, We have had some scanned artwork returned to us this year as an outcome of the website, dad gave lots away to his mates. If you know of any, we don't want the originals as we want to honour dad's gifting, but an emailed scan via the website would be great if you ever come across any. I'm glad your wife may have an interest too, dad painted the opposite to what he was living in to keep his sanity, hope it is helpful
Toby, thanks for sharing your excellent website the artwork and humour are at odds with the events of Changi, and as such makes your dads sketchbook a true inspiration that such a thing could be achieved, the picture of the Para could well be the gent mentioned here....But my regard for history, defence and international relations – later developed at university and in my writing for specialist journals – was encouraged by my stepfather Ian Jackson. He had served both as a paratrooper and commando during WWII and had parachuted into Normandy. He had also, as a young surgeon, operated at the Royal London Hospital in the East End during the height of the Blitz. Towards the end of the war he had been part of the medical team that relieved the infamous Japanese POW camp in Singapore’s Changi jail. The link to the page is broken so I had to C&P the above info, I have always been told that my Dad was at Changi with the liberating troops or passed through a little while after, so I have always had a intrest in Changi, are there plans to make the pictures and any other related information into a book in its own right as I for one would buy it.......all the best Jason. Thank you Jason for your kind encouragement of the website. I'm still flat out researching to add to the site, let alone a book, but a good idea though. Please share it with any other contacts you may have on your email list or FB to spread the word, it's all new to me.
That's a superb website you have there with some extraordinary images. Thank you for sharing the link. I wonder if the Mods might consider adding the website to the other related links list? Thank you Jonathon for your encouragement on dad's website of his artwork. Please feel free to spread the word to your contacts. Cheers, Keith (Toby)
Hi Toby i have just posted these pictures after seeing them in the Daily Mail but didn't no that you had already done so And can i say how brilliant they are and your website is excellent Regards Michael.
It came as surprise to me today when a colleague at work showed me the following pages of my dad’s artwork. I remember talking to a UK journalist on the phone last week and emailing him some images but it caught me unprepared, coming from work. Sketches from hell: Touching cartoons drawn by British soldier during his three years of terror in Changi prison | Mail Online Brit PoW’s cartoons of life in Japanese WWII jail are discovered | The Sun |News If you want to see ALL of the artwork, go to our website dedicated to dad The Changi POW Artwork of Des Bettany | Prisoner of War at Changi, Singapore and feel free to share with others, broad and wide. Its’ a pity they didn’t put the website in the newspaper. Anyway, have a great weekend, Cheers, Keith
Thank you Jason for your kind encouragement of the website. I'm still flat out researching to add to the site, let alone a book, but a good idea though. Please share it with any other contacts you may have on your email list or FB to spread the word, it's all new to me. Keith, keep up the great work via your site I really hope to see the book come to light one day, I know that along with some things my Dad told me and getting Ronald Searles book at a young age I wanted to know more of what had happened to those many who fought in the far east and ended up as FEPOW, and you site can hopefully inspire the youth of today to once again learn of the courage and determination of those that your Dad and Ronald Searle brought to live via the medium of art.I have posted a link to your site on my FB page and will happily spread the word where I can.......cheers Jason.
British newspaper carries story of lost artwork found: Express.co.uk - Home of the Daily and Sunday Express | UK News :: Cartoonist's brave humour in the horror of PoW cam
This refers to my dad's artwork done as a POW of the Japanese The Changi POW Artwork of Des Bettany | Prisoner of War at Changi, Singapore Express.co.uk - Home of the Daily and Sunday Express | UK News :: Cartoonist's brave humour in the horror of PoW cam
