Memoirs of a WWII POW - my Grandad
Discussion
CaptainHogseye said:
Just finished reading the memoirs, and found them riveting.
The reality is a far cry from the POW camps depicted on the war films I grew up with.
Thank you for the link.
I did read somewhere that the Vietnam war was the turning point for public perception of warfare as a glorious thing. Television actually got out there and brought the horrors directly to the public eye, in a way it had never happened before. The reality is a far cry from the POW camps depicted on the war films I grew up with.
Thank you for the link.
There is plenty of horrendous footage taken in earlier wars, but never was it flayed open on public television 'live' anywhere near as much as it was during the Vietnam era. Plus most people only had TV at home from the 60's onwards.
My great uncle (Scottish) married an American, and lived in the Philippines in the late 30s and 40s, when the Japanese invaded.
My aunt wrote a book about the experience in a Japanese internment camp for 3 years - I had known they were there, but never the detail.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/In-Enemys-Camp-Suzanne-Wat...
Very similar to the OP, puts much in perspective.
My aunt wrote a book about the experience in a Japanese internment camp for 3 years - I had known they were there, but never the detail.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/In-Enemys-Camp-Suzanne-Wat...
Very similar to the OP, puts much in perspective.
King Herald said:
Size Nine Elm said:
My great uncle (Scottish) married an American, and lived in the Philippines in the late 30s and 40s, when the Japanese invaded.
That must have been a hell of a time to live there, an unspoilt tropical paradise. 
Until the Japs arrived.
Asterix said:
Anyone remember an old TV series called 'Tenko'?
Yes, I do. I seem to recall Tenko was actually the morning parade, to check if everybody was there?None of those POW type series ever showed the real misery of life, the skin and bones survival, the tropical ulcers, the dysentery, the jungle rot etc. They gave an almost 'pleasant' imagery about the whole thing.
Saw your post on the other thread and have added to favorites at work for tomorrow!
I'm actually ashamed to say that I still haven't read the book written by my late Grandad about his war experience in the Merchant Navy. I want to get it typed up too as he was half through a second when he died but the hard drive gave up the ghost too and it is lost forever, along with the file for his first.
I'm actually ashamed to say that I still haven't read the book written by my late Grandad about his war experience in the Merchant Navy. I want to get it typed up too as he was half through a second when he died but the hard drive gave up the ghost too and it is lost forever, along with the file for his first.
To the OP, a really interesting and thought provoking read and thank you for posting.
A little off topic and to anyone interested in the war. Last night i came across a website, www.twgpp.org, where for a small donation, and if they are available, you can have a picture sent of your relatives war grave.
Below is my maternal grandfathers, who is buried at Imphal cemetary in India. God bless.
A little off topic and to anyone interested in the war. Last night i came across a website, www.twgpp.org, where for a small donation, and if they are available, you can have a picture sent of your relatives war grave.
Below is my maternal grandfathers, who is buried at Imphal cemetary in India. God bless.
Just finished reading it now, great day at work!
I really find it fascinating hearing about what people went through in the war.
It sounds weird when trying to explain this, but when reading about experiences or watching films, I always wish I could be there to see what it was really like. Probably sounds more stupid than what I mean in my head.
Anyway, thanks for sharing!
I really find it fascinating hearing about what people went through in the war.
It sounds weird when trying to explain this, but when reading about experiences or watching films, I always wish I could be there to see what it was really like. Probably sounds more stupid than what I mean in my head.
Anyway, thanks for sharing!
Off the back of this thread I've decided that next year I'm gonna go and re-trace the journey that my grandad did, visiting the place that he was captured, and follow the route of prison camps that he was held in, those buildings that still exist at least, along with the 'devils march' that he wrote about (although I'll be driving it). Should be quite an emotional trip but will bring me much closer to his story...will be taking my mum and brother along too...
my dad and late grandfather did the trip to Normandy and re traced his route fighting through Europe after landing on Dday. An amazing exposure nice it must have been. he was shipped to India after VE Day but on his way the war ended. was stuck in India for a few years waiting for a ship home.
picture of his unit waiting in goa
picture of his unit waiting in goa
Yep, this link works for me: http://www.wwiimemories.co.uk/Hunnisett.htm
JohnStitch said:
Yep, this link works for me: http://www.wwiimemories.co.uk/Hunnisett.htm
Brilliant, thanks 
iacabu said:
Saw your post on the other thread and have added to favorites at work for tomorrow!
I'm actually ashamed to say that I still haven't read the book written by my late Grandad about his war experience in the Merchant Navy. I want to get it typed up too as he was half through a second when he died but the hard drive gave up the ghost too and it is lost forever, along with the file for his first.
If you still have the drive the files can probably be recovered for a price.I'm actually ashamed to say that I still haven't read the book written by my late Grandad about his war experience in the Merchant Navy. I want to get it typed up too as he was half through a second when he died but the hard drive gave up the ghost too and it is lost forever, along with the file for his first.
Sobering stuff; thanks to the OP for posting it.
Gassing Station | The Lounge | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff