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Guestbook Archive
Comments and Messages
Date:
25.08.2003 at 16:42:47
Id:
57
Name:
catriona matheson
message contents:
my father Finlay Matheson was a planter in Malaya - he joined the Dutch army and was captured by the Japanese. I know he was in Burma and worked on the railway - I know he suffered malaria and was grateful for the kindness of other prisoners who tried to nurse him. On the way home to Scotland after freedom his appendix burst and I beleive his operation was performed without the use of anaesthetic - he survived weighing around 5stone on return home. He, like many, spoke little of his experiences and is now deceased. I would love to hear more and found your site very interesting
Date:
17.04.2003 at 16:56:18
Id:
56
Name:
mrs d roberts
message contents:
was looking for sites concerning the long range desert rats,as my father served with this group he is now 81 and i wondered if any one else was still living.interesting site.
Date:
12.11.2002 at 03:38:55
Id:
54
Name:
Andrew William Handover
message contents:
A wonderful website! Will return soon. Thankyou
Date:
14.09.2002 at 15:54:45
Id:
53
Name:
Marion Hickmott
message contents:
I was directed to your site by Jonathan Moffat via another forum. I was delighted to find Hilda Lacey's signature in the Christmas card. Any information about Hilda (civilian nurse from Devon) would be appreciated. I feel priveleged to see and share the memories of your family. Thank you
Date:
12.08.2002 at 00:54:11
Id:
52
Name:
TRACEY RASBARY
message contents:
With the help of your site I have been able to locate the resting place of my grandfather,but more importantly for my own Dad as he has never been given much information on his Father,perhaps now we can find out more for him.THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
Date:
20.07.2002 at 06:31:56
Id:
50
Name:
Roy Hogg
message contents:
I have just found your very interesting site . I was one of the Australians captured at Singapore.I worked on the Burma railway and after it's completion was promoted to coal mining in Japan .I had the joy of see the ATOM Bomb EXPLODE ON NAGASAKI . If any one needs info. that I could supply .Please ask . I will be back at a later date Best Regards Roy Hogg
Date:
01.08.2002 at 18:52:02
Id:
51
Name:
Sheenagh Gordon-Hart
message contents:
Well done - a very moving site. I too am fascinated by the Singapore story and desperately seek information about my late great uncle Philip Gordon who was in the police in Singapore and in Changi. We will remember them.
Date:
20.06.2002 at 09:17:11
Id:
47
Name:
John Beaber
message contents:
Thanks for sharing your father's story. My father was also a prisoner under the Japanese. If you would like to trade links I would be happy to do that. More people need to read about our WWII heros. http://www.geocities.com/ithascome/ Deliverance It has Come; WWII POW Diary 1942-1945
Date:
02.07.2002 at 17:28:26
Id:
48
Name:
John Jones
message contents:
I stumbled across this site while researching a diary written by a fepow on his return journey in 1945. Now the diary is on the site & has received praise which is magnificent for me, now I want to find the family of the man who wrote it so I can return the diary to them. The site is fabulous, the layout & content has obviously had so much time & effort put in it, it's a masterpiece. Definitely one of the best sites around. I'm so pleased I found it & I'm sure everyone who visits it will love it. John Jones
Date:
22.05.2002 at 20:01:28
Id:
46
Name:
G.N.Mobbs
message contents:
We visited the area on 21/04/02 and travelled on the train over the Kwai river at the hottest part of the day and one of the hottest days of the year.One cannot imagine what those terrible times were like.I was 7 when the war ended.I am forever grateful for their sacrifice!
Date:
10.05.2002 at 12:31:31
Id:
45
Name:
Terry Attfield
message contents:
A social and historical document; it should be retained for posterity.
Date:
25.04.2002 at 13:04:26
Id:
43
Name:
Chris Poulain
message contents:
Wonderful site! Briefly, I was born in Singapore (1933). My father was Asst. Super. of Police. My mother and I excaped & landed at Fremantle Dec 1941. Have written a short story of my life pre Jap and our escape. My father int'd in Chanh gi Gaol. Would it be of interest to you - 'only' runs into about 8 pages! Chris Poulain
Date:
21.03.2002 at 22:23:39
Id:
40
Name:
Neil MacLure
message contents:
A marvelous piece of work. Your relatives who sufferred so much would be so appreciative of what you have done in their memory. Future generations of Shelton_Palmers will be likewise most grateful.
Date:
01.03.2002 at 22:36:36
Id:
39
Name:
Jenny Beer
message contents:
Am particularly interested in a relative of my husband - William Kelland of HMS THESEUS - who is buried on Syra (now known as Siros) in the Cyclades and who died on 5th December 1918. We assume this was as a result of injuries or illness contracted prior to the Armistice. Any further assistance you may be able to give on this matter would be appreciated.
Date:
26.02.2002 at 10:03:59
Id:
37
Name:
Sheila Bruhn (nee Allan)
message contents:
I was a civilian internee in Changi Prison in Sime Road Camp from 8th March 1942 to Sept 1945. I recognised many of the signatures of the women who were in the camp with me. I knew Mrs Shelton Palmer. I have published my diary written in camp, titled Diary of a Girl in Changi by Sheila Allan, first published in 1994, 2nd edition in 1999, which includes the story of the Changi quilts. Thank you for your wonderful web-site. Sheila Bruhn
Date:
25.02.2002 at 12:18:43
Id:
36
Name:
John Warden
message contents:
Most moving. My father was in the Singapore Volunteer Force and ended up at 'Camp No. 4' in Siam. I have still not identified this. I would love to hear from any old pupils of Tanglin School, Cameron Highlands.
Date:
24.02.2002 at 16:59:04
Id:
35
Name:
Don Wilson
message contents:
hello, thankyou for sharing you're memories of lost one with us, We found it very interesting.my site also about that region, http://weshallremember.homestead.com a memorial site to two war ships, HMS Prince of Wales, and HMS Repulse
Date:
04.01.2002 at 01:24:05
Id:
33
Name:
sue robinson
message contents:
Having just spent a couple of hours going over this web site I have to say it is one of the best,thank you for remembering the forgotten prisoners.
Date:
24.11.2001 at 07:41:48
Id:
31
Name:
Bruce Cockburn
message contents:
I recently started trying to find more information on Lena Elkins, the sister of my grandfather and the wife of the Chief of Maritime Customs in Singapore. I knew that she had been interned in Changi Gaol. But I was still very surprised and delighted to view her signature on page 4 of the Christmas card! My goal is to try and track down a photo of her and her husband. Any information on the Elkins' from any readers would be greatly appreciated.
Date:
26.11.2001 at 15:23:02
Id:
32
Name:
Ron Parker
message contents:
What a touching tribute, so moving. We, the children of those who fought the Japanese, have an obligation to tell their story lest anyone forget. You have done such a great job. Keep up the good work. As you say, it may never be fully done.
Date:
17.09.2001 at 09:56:25
Id:
28
Name:
Simon Hollingbery
message contents:
An amazing piece of research I am only sorry that I never really spoke to my father about his experiences during the war I think that it was a piece of his life he wished to forget as he lost a lot of friends . I will come beck to read more Best Wishes Simon Hollingbery
Date:
28.08.2001 at 14:37:43
Id:
27
Name:
Jackie MacKay
message contents:
You have done a terrific job putting together so much infomation. We shouldn't ever forget what our families went through under the Japanese. Thank you for visiting my dad's site at way.to/mydad
Date:
25.08.2001 at 21:14:11
Id:
26
Name:
Meg Parkes
message contents:
Most interesting site researching the subject as my father was a P.O.W. held in Java and Japan
Date:
25.08.2001 at 00:55:02
Id:
25
Name:
mark evans
message contents:
Thank you for taking the time to produce such a moving site. We should never forget the sacrifice made by so many young men. My grandfather was there. He suffered & his life was ruined so mine would not be. Thanks for helping to keep their memory alive.
Date:
24.08.2001 at 18:54:31
Id:
24
Name:
Linda Morical
message contents:
Hello, your web site was referred to me by a gentleman who responded to my enquiry on another message board. I was trying to get information on my grandfather, Roy Gunter-Smith who was a civilian pow at Changi. He had been a director for Nestle Company in Burma when he was captured. He survived the war but my mother (who had been sent back to England), a war bride who emigrated to Canada in 1944, never saw him again after he was captured. My family knows almost nothing about his experience but now that I am in my 50s, I have developed an interest in knowing more about all my relatives' experiences in the war. I really appreciate your web site and the great honour and love you show your family through this tribute.
Date:
22.08.2001 at 23:53:01
Id:
23
Name:
Peter, Lesley and Hannah
message contents:
Well done you two! I know its taken a lot of hard work but its worth it. I have still got a way to go before I have seen everything on your site, I didnt realise you had done so much. It gives me inspiration to do a site myself. With sincere and kindest regards, Peter Jean Rosier France.
Date:
20.08.2001 at 20:51:40
Id:
21
Name:
John Wright
message contents:
Thoroughly interesting - I will visit again when I have time to study all the information.
Date:
18.08.2001 at 22:17:57
Id:
20
Name:
Karen White
message contents:
Shelagh and Simon Congratulations. An excellent web site creatively and sensitively compiled. I would have found this web site of interest even without my knowing Simon. Not only does it shed light on a largely neglected part of World War II,it has been enriched with real photographs and personal letters of that time and place.
Date:
16.08.2001 at 12:00:31
Id:
19
Name:
Chris Poulain
message contents:
Wonderful and moving site. I was born in Singapore. My father who was in the police, ended up in Changi Gaol, my mother & I ended up in Melbourne! Dad lived to tell the tale but ended up weighing 9 stone from his original 18! That says it all!
Date:
10.08.2001 at 16:22:44
Id:
18
Name:
Kyle Spaull
message contents:
Hey there Simon, from Shelton Palmer's great great grandson(I guess that makes us cousins)Thanx for shedding some light on my great great uncle- We honour those lost by our rememberance of them.
Date:
06.08.2001 at 23:55:09
Id:
17
Name:
bob davidson
message contents:
Well done Simon a great source of information. My father in law was a FEPOW on the Burma Railway. He once told me when he returned home from the war and recived his back pay the army had deducted moneys for lost kit,ect..I found this hard to believe after what they had endured but you fathers discharge paper confirms this to be true. A land fit for hero`s I dont think so.
Date:
05.08.2001 at 00:05:18
Id:
16
Name:
Harvey Coulon
message contents:
I found this site interesting and worthwhile. It provides a vivid demonstration of the powerful ways the internet can be used for information-gathering and educating.
Date:
04.08.2001 at 19:34:59
Id:
15
Name:
Athney Spaull
message contents:
Simon, this is an enormous undertaking and so well done. I will let you have any information from our side once Neil is able to collate letters we have in our possesion from Betty and any other info we can find Well done!
Date:
31.07.2001 at 21:36:47
Id:
14
Name:
Steve & Sheila
message contents:
There is still so much injustice in this world, good luck with your own search for the truth.
Date:
25.07.2001 at 17:26:32
Id:
13
Name:
Jonathan Moffatt
message contents:
Well done, Simon on developing this interesting site as a tribute to your father and his family who suffered so much in the tragedy that overtook British Malaya. I hope this will encourage others to develop family FEPOW/Civilian internee sites so that this period of our History is not forgotten.
Date:
25.07.2001 at 17:07:42
Id:
12
Date:
25.07.2001 at 15:44:56
Id:
9
Name:
Tonie H
message contents:
No message as such - only to congratulate you on a splendid job well done with your website. It is my intention to do something similar as a tribute to my father Gnr R R Harold RA. as and when I have enough material to work with. Information is in very short supply as he was in Sandakan AND ONLY came out from there alive so you can imagine news about what happened was VERY scarce. Once again many congratulations. Best+Regards Tonie.
Date:
25.07.2001 at 15:38:47
Id:
8
Name:
Ron Taylor COFEPOW ORG
message contents:
After the torment they went through to be remembered with honour and dignity by ones ownloved ones is a fitting tribute.
Date:
25.07.2001 at 14:59:21
Id:
4
Name:
Shelagh
message contents:
It has been a priviledge to help set up this site with Simon. His father Hugh and family suffered such terrible tragedy during the war. This site seemed a perfect way to pay tribute to Simon's family as well as for all the families who suffered so much at that time and after. I have learned so much from reading what Hugh left behind, both Simon and I have been deeply moved and many times upset by our findings. I hope this site is of interest and informative to others.