Hi, Trying to trace a family members journey from Singapore to the death railway and then back to Singapore. He seems to have moved from Changi to camp or work group no. 4, which may or may not be near Tamaunag. Any information, suggestions or guidance would be appreciated. Ali
Did you know there is an index of POWs at the National Archives? There is a card for each man, giving his details and then camps etc placed in. There are comments as to his character/behaviour in Japanese on the rear, which are easily translated by someone who speaks Japanese- and sometimes are very interesting! It's a while since I looked at them, so don't have the reference to had, but I am sure an email to the NA would get the details.
Hi Paul, I'll try and have a look on my next visit, I have heard of the register but have been told that only 10% of prisoners are listed, whats your opinion? Regards Ali
Ali, Are you in touch with COFEPOW (Children and Families of Far East Prisoners of War)? If not, I 'm sure they'd love to hear from you and would do all they could to help. I worked with them in 2001 when we commemorated Old Boys of Thetford Grammar School who had died in the Far East and I am still in touch. It is a fine organisation working hard to highlight the plight of FEPOWs. www.cofepow.org.uk Regards, David
Hi Ali, I thought it was more than that - I have never failed to find a man I was looking for; maybe I was just lucky?
Hi David and Paul, I have been in touch with COFEPOW, they where very helpful and it was them that gave me the above details. I'm hoping to have a bit of a search into this and then go back to them. Ali
Originally posted by Paul Reed@Mar 19 2004, 04:31 PM Did you know there is an index of POWs at the National Archives? Paul - I suppose that these cards are for the POWs who returned to the UK and not for those who died out there?
Hi Lee, Do you have much detail on your great uncles time on the railway? About 11 years ago I was lucky enough to visit Kanchanburi cemetry, a local museum and take a short ride on part of the railway, all quite a sobering and moving experience and at that time I was unaware of my family conection with the area. Regards Ali
Ali - All the information I have can be found on this link CLICK Go to the Non Brandon drop-down menu and then click on Percy Bradbury.
Lee, you might want to contact the Imperial War Museum as they have some details on the camps, another option is the COFEPOW mentioned earlier in this thread. From here I was put in touch with a couple of people with a great knowledge of the camps and work parties. If you want more details on the people mentioned above, feel free to contact me, either on of off list. Ali
Hi, I am at last going to start researching into another of my Great Uncles, Crawford Cameron, whom is buried at the Thanbyuzayat War Cem in Myanmar - Burma. I have logged onto this website, from a recommendation. This thread has already given me lots of starting points! Its also really nice to see many familiar names! This forum probably knows that there is loads going on at the IWM this summer, but I wanted to point out the Burma Campaign talk on the 15th April, which I am really hoping to attend. I thought it would be a good starting point for me. As my knowledge of WW2 is even worse than my WW1! Alie.
Originally posted by Ali Hollington@Apr 1 2004, 10:03 AM Lee, you might want to contact the Imperial War Museum as they have some details on the camps, another option is the COFEPOW mentioned earlier in this thread. From here I was put in touch with a couple of people with a great knowledge of the camps and work parties. If you want more details on the people mentioned above, feel free to contact me, either on of off list. Ali Ali - Thanks, I'll contact the IWM. If you have any details I'd be grateful for some, please As my knowledge of WW2 is even worse than my WW1! Alie. Don't believe you! You seem clued-up enough to me
Hi Lee, I can't remember how I initially contacted the IWM, however I've emailed you off list with the contact details for the guy who replied. He asked for some details I'd ommitted from my original message and once he had those, he went into overdrive and came back with some clear answers and some references for me to follow up. Best of luck. Ali
No worries Lee, keep us posted on how your research goes. I'm hoping to get to the National Archives soon and will report back on the POW cards issue. Ali
Following on from the above, I found my man in the cards. Could be just luck but it does look as if there is more than 10% judging from the box I was using. As my relative died in captivity (sunk on his way to Japan) and his card is in the series it must cover all POWs. Ali
Ali / Anyone ! What is the NA class reference for the POW cards? And do you know if they just cover Burma / Thailand prisoners, or those held elsehere by the Japanese. Thanks in anticipation. Geoff
