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NewsLate report: Click here to view last year's Remembrance Sunday in KL.
VJ Day August 15th at the National Memorial Arboretum Photos can be viewed here. Report & Order of Service will follow soon. MVG WESTERN AUSTRALIA MEMORIAL SERVICE September 12th 2010 Tidying up our memorial garden plot at the NMA Photos can be viewed here. VJ DAY SERVICE The Malayan Volunteers Group VJ Day Service at the National Memorial Arboretum - Sunday August 15th 2010 at 2.00 p.m. at the National Memorial Arboretum Chapel & MVG Memorial Garden. Non-members are welcome to attend but please contact Mrs Rosemary Fell, email:- dinraf-millbrook@tiscali.co.uk to let her know you are attending. The Members buffet lunch will be at 12.00 in Pod 1. Some 80 members attending. Please be aware that parking at the NMA costs £2.00. It is possible that on this busy day off-site parking will be operating so you may want to be 20 minutes earlier than your intended arrival time. Queen's Birthday Honours Award to MVG Member, June 2010 Congatulations to MVG member Michael Doncaster of the Royal Australian Navy who has been awarded a Conspicuous Service Medal for meritorious achievement as Staff Officer International Engagement in Navy Strategic Command in the latest Queen's Birthday Honours list The citation can be read at http://www.gg.gov.au/res/File/PDFs/honours/qb10/Media%20Notes%20CSM%20(final).pdf MVG Members meet in Fremantle WA While visiting Fremantle, Western Australia in December 2009, MVG member Jill Smallshaw met Patricia Giudice who as a young child escaped with her father in February 1942 [see Stories section] by almost the same route as Jill's father across to Sumatra, down to Batavia and thence to Fremantle. They had a happy afternoon pouring over a large map of Sumatra and comparing routes. Some time later, following a bad fall at Broome in north west Australia, Jill found herself, thanks to the wonderful Flying Doctor Service, back in Fremantle where she was also visited in hospital by MVG member Joan Forman. Jill is now back in the UK and is recovering well.  Patricia & Jill Congratulations to Rod Beattie At a function in Kanchanaburi on 15th Jan 2010 the Queen of the Kingdom of the Netherlands (via her Ambassador in Thailand) bestowed an honour on Rod Beattie for his years of work in researching and helping all families connected with the Thai-Burma Railway, including the 17,000 Dutch POWs involved, 2,700 of whom died. Rod has been made a "Knight in the Order of Orange-Nassau". This award is a Royal Honour in the Netherlands, conferred on people who deserve recognition and high appreciation from society for the special way in which they have carried out their particular activities. This is a very fitting personal tribute to Rod who has devoted a significant number of years of his life to this work and it is also wonderful recognition of the role of the Thailand Burma Railway Centre and its staff on the 7th Anniversary of its opening.   Australian FMSVF veteran celebrates his 90th birthday MVG member Marea Smith from Baulkham Hills NSW recently visited her uncle Roy Thurling, an FMSVF veteran, in Queensland. Roy celebrated his 90th birthday in November. Roy and Marea's late father, Jack Thurling of the FMSVF Light Battery, were mining engineers with Anglo-Oriental Tin, Larut Tin Fields, Taiping. They were POWs in Singapore then in Thailand from October 1942. Roy returned to Anglo-Oriental, Malaya 1946-1948 then was an electrician in NSW.  REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY – 8TH NOVEMBER 2009 Report by Rosemary Fell
This years lunch was held in the attractive and spacious ballroom of the RAF Club, Piccadilly and was attended by some 55MVG members and guest speaker, Colonel Piers Storie-Pugh OBE, a former battalion commander & ADC to the Queen, now of Remembrance Travel. There was a good balance of old and more recent members and much chat. Various photos, items of research and the new MVG brochure, designed by John Pollock, were shared and exchanged. Rosemary spoke to introduce our speaker and to outline the details of next August 15th NMA gathering which we hope will be well supported. After a good, substantial lunch Piers Storie-Pugh gave a wide ranging and informative talk summarising the Malayan and Burma Campaigns, touched on the Malayan Emergency and told us about the war cemeteries in Malaysia. Merilyn Hywel-Jones also showed us the reconstruct then & now map of Kanchanaburi that she and her sister had researched. Thanks to the hard work of Daniel & Catriona Chaplin the lunch raffle raised £160 towards MVG funds. Thanks to their father Hugh for organising and hosting the lunch. He has already booked the RAF Club for next year's London lunch [October 2nd]. Click here to view photos. Missing Memorials in Malaysia Kuala Selangor War Memorial - Found! Last year we received from MVG member Ann Evans two 1950s colour photos of the Kuala Selangor War Memorial. Ann recalled attending services here with her mother. The name of Ann's father, Philip Paxton-Harding FMSVF was on the bronze plaque [he was killed-in-action at Singapore] together with those of other European and local Malay Volunteers and members of the Malay Regiment who lost their lives in the Second World War. This memorial was originally unveiled by Sir George Maxwell in June 1924 and another plaque recorded the names of men who lost their lives in the First World War.
 Initial quite extensive enquiries and a first visit by MVG member Andrew Hwang were unsuccessful in locating the memorial in a town that has changed so much in recent years. Then this weekend came a breakthrough. Andrew reports: Lisa and I drove to Kuala Selangor again this morning to look for the memorial. This time we decided to give Kampung Kuantan a miss and to concentrate on the Dutch-era ruins of Fort Altingsburg (today's Bukit Malawati) and the surrounding neighbourhood. In the event we were unsuccessful, we planned to move on to Fort Utrecht (today's Bukit Belanda). Before we started on our search, we decided to make enquiries at the Majlis Daerah Kuala Selangor (K. Selangor district council) tourism office. They were very nice there and tried their best to identify the 2 photographs provided by Jonathan Moffatt but they could not recognise the obelisk. They were quite certain we would not find anything at Fort Altingsburg. We then proceeded to climb all over Bukit Malawati, but there was no sign of the memorial. An elderly ice cream man at the fort also confirmed he had never seen the memorial despite having being lived all his life in Kuala Selangor. He suggested that perhaps in was in another part of the Kuala Selangor district but not in the town itself. When we reached the foot of the hill, I decided to put myself in the shoes of the British district officer who most probably had erected the memorial. Where would he have placed it? It had to be at the original colonial heart of the town. The Kuala Selangor tourism staff were very helpful again and described where the colonial parts were. We were warned that there had been extensive re-development and we might be disappointed with what we found. Our starting point was the white clock tower in the shape of a lighthouse at the foot of Bukit Malawati. We drove pass the hill along Jalan Raja Jalil, turned right, passed a mosque on the left and came to a rather odd junction with a Public Bank facing us. We then turned left into Jalan Sultan Ibrahim, went straight through another junction, passed by an old colonial post office on the left which was still in use and then passed a St John's Ambulance office painted in buff and followed the road right which took us to a roundabout - and there was the memorial obelisk right in the centre of the roundabout! We immediately parked and went to examine the memorial. It was in a sorry state. The original 2 bronze plaques had long been looted by scrap metal thieves and forlorn looking signs had been nailed across where the plaques had been bearing the words: Medan Perwira (Bellamy). Medan Perwira means 'Heroes Place" in Malay. All 3 granite steps were completely visible whereas the photograph showed the top 2 steps and only the top of the bottom-most step. The soil level must have receded over the years. The tree which used to give shade to the memorial had long disappeared. Four decorative sculptures of Malay water pitchers were placed around the edge of the roundabout. The sculptures somehow detracted from the solemness of the monument and we immediately understood why no one had recognised the memorial - it had been trivialised by the sculptures and turned into a mere decorative curiosity. A badly faded bi-lingual information board at the roundabout itself gave a startlingly inconsistent history of the memorial. The Malay version was not consistent with its English counterpart and informed us that the memorial was called Medan Pahlawan ("Warriors Place") as opposed to the "Heroes Place" label on the memorial itself. The road running around the roundabout was supposedly named Jalan Pahlawan but there was no road sign to confirm this. The English write-up said the memorial was known as the "Bellamy arena"(?) and was a memorial to fallen British soldiers. No mention was made of the brave Malay soldiers and volunteers. In my opinion, the roundabout was probably known as Bellamy Circus as the Malay account stated that the road around the memorial was once known as Bellamy Road. The English version described the roundabout as being the junction of Keramat Tanjung Road, Penggawa Road and Batu Burok Road. All the original buildings close to the memorial had been demolished and replaced with more modern buildings of less than 15 years vintage. The open space with the drying laundry beyond the memorial as seen in the old photograph is now partially blocked by a building owned by an Islamic organisation. Although the Kuala Selangor War Memorial was once in the heart of the town, that is no longer true. We saw many contract workers from China and Vietnam lodged in shophouses not 30 feet from the memorial and the general atmosphere was that of a coolie line. The memorial has to be restored - the plaques listing the fallen have to be replaced by marble tablets to prevent further theft. I would strongly recommend that the decorative sculptures be removed and bushes or trees be planted instead. The footpaths to the memorial were uneven and paved with irregular shaped flagstones (not in the old photograph). It would be best to raise the ground level and have it properly paved. A new, historically accurate and consistent bilingual information board would also be required. We now have details of all the Europeans named on the Second World War plaque. Two are fathers of Malayan Volunteers Group members. We want now to find out more about the Malays, two of whom served in the 1st and 2nd Battalions of the Malay Regiment and the First World War names. Do any of our readers have further information or photos of this memorial which might assist any reconstruction project?.
VJ DAY SERVICE AT THE NATIONAL MEMORIAL ARBORETUM This took place in the MVG Memorial Garden on 15th August 2009 at 12 noon Twelve MVG members and friends gathered. After the wreath laying by Ron Mitchell [1SSVF] and Anne Hinam and the two minutes silence, Jonathan Moffatt read out the names of those whose lives are commemorated on plaques and in trees & bamboo in the MVG Memorial Garden: Eric Reeve & Aden McLeod of the Malacca Volunteers [4SSVF] James & Penelope Landon of the Selangor LDC and Medical Auxilliary Service Allan Barrie, Sholto Stitt & George Bean of the FMSVF Charles Crabbe, Joseph Dunne & Lincoln Page of the Singapore Volunteers [1SSVF] and the men of the FMSVF Light Battery. Readings included Corinthians 2:1, Beryl Dohoo's moving poem and Margaret Dryburgh's Captives Hymn. We were particulary pleased to welcome at our service a visiting Singaporean family who had shared the experience of evacuation and whose father was in the Singapore Volunteer Corps. It was as if they were meant to be there at that moment! The service was followed by a substantial picnic lunch and chat. Click here to view Order of Service Click here to view photos
Meeting with FEPOW artist Australian MVG secretary John Pollock & son Sam had a very special day on August 9th meeting FEPOW artist Fred Ransome Smith. Fred was a 2nd Lt in the 5th Suffolks and a commercial artist in civilian life. His drawings, including the Christmas card that features John's father Walter Pollock 1FMSVF - see our website photo gallery - provide an important record of the Captivity.. Fred recently sketched from memory a scene of the canteen at Nakhon Pathom which John's father was in charge of (with John's dad behind the counter serving the food). Fred kindly gave John a copy of the drawing. At Nakhon Pathom Fred spent time with the FMSVF POWs there helping to tend the gardens and grow food for the camp Fred, a friend of FEPOW artist Jack Chalker, is still a prolific drawer and also does exquisite paper sculptures. HER GRACE THE DUCHESS OF NORFOLK The Malayan Volunteers Group is delighted to announce that Georgina, Duchess of Norfolk has graciously accepted its invitation to become Patron of the Group. The Duchess is the grandaughter of Charles F.E. Mounsey, 2nd Lt, 2nd [Selangor] Battalion, Federated Malay States Volunteer Force. He was taken prisoner in Singapore and sent to Thailand. Her grandfather was the agent for the Societe Internationale de Plantations et de Finance [SIPEF] in Kuala Lumpur. Her Grace thus has a direct connection with the Malayan Volunteers. VJ DAY SERVICE AT THE NATIONAL MEMORIAL ARBORETUM This will take place in the MVG Memorial Garden on 15th August 2009 at 12 noon and will be followed by a picnic lunch. Further details from and names to Jonathan or Rosemary. Malayan Volunteer Regimental Shields for FEPOW Building Sixteen MVG members and friends gathered on May 4th 2009, a cold, blustery day. at the National Memorial Arboretum to hand over two regimental shields for display in the FEPOW Building. Among those attending were veterans John Hedley [Johore Volunteer Engineers] and Ron Mitchell [Singapore Volunteers]. In a short speech, Jonathan Moffatt said that although the shields were only of the two largest units of the Volunteers, namely the Federated Malay States Volunteer Force and the Straits Settlements Volunteer Force, they should be taken to represent the 18,200 Malayan Volunteers of all creeds and races who served in World War Two and in addition the many civilians who served in passive defence units: MAS, ARP etc. While many were still unaware of the role played by the Malayan Volunteers in the Malayan Campaign & captivity, viewing the shields would perhaps raise some questions and answers could be gained by viewing the Malayan Volunteers file and other resources in the FEPOW Building/COFEPOW archive. The shields were kindly received by COFEPOW Archivist Keith Andrews who expressed his own interest in the story of the Volunteers. Keith then gave us a short talk and guided tour of the Archive. A substantial picnic lunch and lively chat concluded our gathering. Photos can be viewed here. Captured - The Extraordinary Life of Prisoners of War This is the title of a new exhibition that will open in the main gallery at Imperial War Museum North on 23rd May 2009 and will run until January 2010. It is being billed as the first major exhibition ever held by the Imperial War Museum dedicated to the experiences of prisoners of war during conflict. It will include the experiences of British and Commonwealth prisoners and civilian internees in Europe and the Far East. It also features stories of Italian and German prisoners in the UK and their relations with their captors. This is a huge area to cover in a relatively small exhibition space but the IWM North is very good at staging thought provoking and visually stimulating displays so I think we should be confident that it will be well worth a visit. According to their press release, more prisoners were taken during the Second World War than in any other conflict. Millions of soldiers, sailors and airmen found themselves behind barbed wire. What happened to them depended on when and where they were captured - and sometimes their nationality or race. Many of us, it goes on, know something about prisoners of war through films which romanticise daring escapes. But there is another story. It is one of extremes - from courage, comradeship and compassion, to hunger, boredom, deprivation, cruelty and neglect. Civilians, including women and children, were caught up in the total war and were thus also interned, simply because of their nationality. Either they were people caught in enemy territory when war broke out, or they had escaped persecution and were rounded up and interned by the very countries in which they had sought refuge. The exhibition organisers claim that visitors will be able to uncover the truth behind stories that have since become legends such as The Great Escape, Colditz and The Bridge over the River Kwai and find out what everyday life was really like as a POW, from experiences of capture, food, welfare, work, recreation and illicit activities to liberation. Given how well the organisers did when they mounted the First World War exhibition, albeit with input from the Horrible Histories team, I think they will try very hard to recreate as best they can the POW camps. However, I do not think anyone will ever be able to imagine what it must have been like to be locked up without any knowledge of how long it would last, so that will be perhaps the tallest order for this exhibition. Nevertheless, through hands-on displays they hope to attract children as well as adults, and that can only be a good thing. There will be crawl-through escape tunnels, try-on disguises and audio allowing the visitors to listen to illicit messages. Highlights include the first public display of the bed sheet embroidered by Daisy Day Joyce in Hong Kong, a dress made of mosquito nets used in Changi theatre productions and Ronald Searle's slouch hat. From Germany there are magazines, a handmade loom constructed by prisoners in Oflag VIIb, the cap worn by Jimmy James at the time of the Great Escape and other exciting everyday objects that have achieved almost mythical status because of their use or their owners in the Second World War. If you have not yet had the opportunity to visit the Imperial War Museum North I would strongly recommend you make a visit. Not only is it situated in one of the most dramatic of locations for a museum, right on the waterfront of the Manchester Ship Canal at Old Trafford, but the building itself, designed by Daniel Liebeskind, is well worth experiencing. For an experience it is. Nothing is on the level and the building has the character of a splintered world, so very in keeping with the contents of the displays. Facts you need to know: Imperial War Museum North is open 7 days a week from 10am to 6pm (Nov to Feb closes 5pm) with free admission. It is at The Quays, Trafford Wharf Road, Trafford Park, Manchester M17 1TZ. Car parking is easy but there is a £4.00 charge at a meter so you need change. Public transport is possible but requires a bit of a walk. There is an over-ground tram line that runs from Piccadilly and Oxford Road to Old Trafford. The café is good with spectacular views and the food very edible and fresh- sandwiches, soup and a hot buffet most days. The shop is small but has a relatively good selection of books. We often moan that there is nothing on the Far East but they have promised to rectify this during the exhibition so fingers crossed they will keep that promise. For further information visit www.north.iwm.org.uk or call 0161 836 4000 Julie Summers Melbourne Shrine of Remembrance Commemoration February 15th 2009 MVG Members John Pollock and Susan Rutherford attended the Commemoration in Melbourne. John's father served in IFMSVF and Susan's father in the FMSVF Light Battery. John noticed the signature of an FMSVF FEPOW on the Changi flag - that of Hartley R. Robinson from Perth WA who was a mining engineer with Anglo-Oriental and served in the FMSVF 45 Reserve MT Company. For more information on the Changi flag see http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/pow-flag-flies-in-face-of-hard-mans-reputation/2005/09/12/1126377256877.html?from=moreStories Photos: The Changi Flag   Susan & David Rutherford  FEPOWs attending incl. Charles Edwards [sat 2nd left].   Australian MVG Members meet up John Pollock & family travelled from Bendigo, Victoria to Perth WA to meet George Hess'e [FMSVF Light Battery veteran]. The weather was terrific and the surf was pretty good most days. Unfortunately they are now back in dry Bendigo where it was 41celsius and no beach to go to!! John's son Sam met up with George and the two ‘authors’ [see January 2009 newsletter] compared notes. One day, Sam and John met George and his wife, Hyacinth, at their home and on another day, John's family got together with George and Hyacinth over lunch at a hawker’s stall run by people George knew in Penang. While in Perth, John was also able to meet up with friends of James Richardson who served with his father in the FMSVF River Patrol/ Independent Company and later Intelligence Corps.
REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY November 9th 2008 Remembrance Sunday 2008 dawned grey and dank with a chilly east wind blowing down Whitehall. The leaves of the London plane trees lay sodden on the ground after torrential rain on Saturday threatened to disrupt the Cenotaph Ceremony. However, the rain held off on Remembrance Sunday itself, and the dense crowds kept the chill at bay. Despite letters from the Royal British Legion warning of changes to the layout of Whitehall, and a reduction in the number of tickets being issued to contingents marching past the Cenotaph, we received our usual quota of 12. Strict new security measures were in place as we arrived in Trafalgar Square at 9 a.m., as instructed, on this cold autumnal day. All civilian onlookers and marchers alike were diverted through Whitehall Place, where we were frisked by security guards and had to walk through airport-style security arches. Even rolled-up umbrellas had to be checked and searched. Eventually we made our way into Whitehall and picked up our new-style marker sheet – no longer the heavy wooden marker board to be held aloft, just a laminated sheet with our column number. As the minutes ticked by, MVG members started to arrive and by 10.15 we were ready to move forward to our marching position in the column. By 10.50 a.m. we were lined up in position, and the crowds became quiet. The invited dignitaries quietly and quickly took their places before Her Majesty The Queen stepped out of the Foreign Office promptly at 10.59 a. m. The huge crowd of marchers and onlookers fell silent as Big Ben struck 11 o’clock and the 2 minutes silence commenced. Wreath laying followed the gun salute – Royalty, Politicians, and Ambassadors – led by the Queen in simple, dignified homage to those who have laid down their lives for this country. The short service which followed has remained unchanged over the years, bringing with it a sense of stability and continuity in a fast changing world. Let us hope that this tradition will never be changed. Although the 90th Anniversary of Armistice Day was not to fall for another 2 days, nevertheless marchers and onlookers alike were well aware of the significance of the occasion, and the crowds were the biggest seen in the 4 years since the MVG first marched in Whitehall. The MVG is fortunate to have a number of dedicated members who wish to commemorate the Volunteers at the Cenotaph every year. This does not mean that others in the Group who wish to take part in the ceremony cannot join us. We feel that it is an honour to be able to take part in this Service of Remembrance every year, and this was felt even more keenly this time, on the 90th Anniversary of the end of World War 1. This year, regular marchers Sandy Lincoln, Karen Harney, Mike and Christine Cavender with their family, granddaughter Freya and friend Gwen, and Donald and Rosemary Fell were joined by Lt. Michael Doncaster from Australia, looking resplendent in his naval uniform. We were especially delighted that Michael was able to fit the ceremony into a very tight schedule while over in England on business for the Australian Navy. He found the experience a very rewarding one. Sadly Pat Wilson was unable to join us as planned through ill health. Our wreath bore the same message which is inscribed on the MVG Memorial Stone in the MVG Garden at Alrewas:- In memory of The Malayan Volunteers Both Military and Civilian Who served in WW2 1941 – 1945 Despite a strong plea to the BBC TV Outside Broadcast to extend their coverage of the event, and pointing out that the MVG had an Australian Naval Officer in uniform marching this year, sadly no mention was made of the Malayan Volunteers. The Duke of Wessex took the salute in Horse Guards at the end of the march past. After the National Anthem, the parade dispersed and we said our goodbyes to Karen and Christine and family, who were unable to join us for lunch. Sandy, Donald, Michael and I retraced our steps into Parliament Square and across Westminster Bridge to the “All Bar One” restaurant, where we enjoyed a long and convivial lunch, before visiting the Field of Remembrance at Westminster Abbey on our way back. A cross was planted in the FEPOW plot for the Volunteers, and this rounded off a long but very worthwhile and rewarding day. Photos can be viewed here. REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY IN KUALA LUMPUR, 9 NOVEMBER 2008 Remembrance Sunday took place on a glorious morning at the Kuala Lumpur Cenotaph at the Tugu Negara (National Monument) Complex. At about 7.50am, bagpipers from the 6th Battalion, Royal Ranger Regiment began the prelude to the Service followed by the opening hymn, "Abide with Me". The British High Commisisoner, H.E. Boyd McCleary then read an excerpt from the Pericles Eulogy. This was followed by prayers by Revd. David Sigamoney (Anglican Church) and a Muslim cleric, Haji Ramly bin Jaffar. The Hindu clergy were represented by a priest and a temple singer who chanted and sang ancient Hindu laments in remembrance of the British Indian Army dead. The Australian High Commissioner, H. E. Penny Williams recited "In Flanders Fields" followed by New Zealand Defence Attache Captain Steve Streefkerk's with "To The Fallen". The closing hymn "I Vow to Thee My Country" was sung after the 2 poems. After this, 37 wreaths were laid by representatives from various organisations including the Malayan Volunteers Group, High Commissions and Embassies, British and International Schools, Loyal Societies, the British Malaysian Chamber of Commerce, Veterans, the British Military and the Malaysian Military. MVG was represented by Andrew Hwang. Former MVG member, Ivan Ho (son of Ho Pan Thong, 8th Platoon , B Company 1FMSVF) attended at MVG's invitation. After the service all participants were invited to a hearty breakfast at the British High Commissioner's Residence. During the breakfast, Ivan spoke of the missing bronze memorial which was once at the Sultan Abdul Samad Building (opposite the Selangor Club) and which commemorated the fallen members of the Malayan Bar and judiciary, including his father who was a barrister. More on this in a coming article. Malacca Volunteers Memorials We are concerned at the condition and care of two Straits Settlements Volunteer memorials in Malacca: the World War 2 memorial on the wall of the Stadthuys, a World Heritage Site, needs cleaning and cordoning off to prevent the alcove it is in being used by vendors including ice cream men. The addition of an information board would also make its significance clearer to visitors. Also the wooden World War 1 Memorial in Christ Church, Malacca hangs precariously from a nail, its left hand bottom corner broken off. Children often touch the memorial and it was beginning to show considerable wear and tear despite the brass cross at the centre of the memorial being brightly polished. The church as a whole is due for repair shortly. We hope to raise awareness of this problem and do something about it over the next year as well as looking at other Volunteer Memorials in Malaysia. Click here to see MVG member Andrew Hwang's recent photos of these memorials. MVG LONDON LUNCH October 4th 2008 Photos are available here. Some 43 members of the MVG including veterans Ron Mitchell [1SSVF] & Sir Roger Moon [JVE] attended the lunch at a Soho Chinese restaurant. Members came from far and wide including two families from South Africa. There was also a good balance between familiar & new faces. Following a substantial lunch and much chat there were a number of short items: Jonathan Moffatt spoke about the condition of the Malacca Volunteers Memorial on the wall of the Stadthuys, Malacca. Stephanie Hess reported on behalf of those who attended the recent Volunteers memorial plaque unveiling at the Changi Museum: "September 12th, 2008 marked the 63rd anniversary of the formal surrender of the Japanese in Singapore. It was also the date of a very special occasion for the Malayan Volunteers Group – the Unveiling Ceremony of the MVG Memorial Board at the The Changi Museum in Singapore. This event, coupled with the launch of FEPOW Peter S. Rhodes’ book “To Japan To Lay A Ghost” brought together people from all corners of the globe. The idea of commemorating the Volunteer Forces at Changi originated in a conversation between Sandy Lincoln and Rosemary Fell a few years ago. The thought took on a momentum which culminated in a most moving and memorable occasion attended by the President of Singapore, His Excellency S.R. Nathan. The teak wood plaque, beautifully crafted by Nicholas Shannon, displays five shields representing the various branches of the Volunteer Forces – Straits Settlements Volunteer Force, Federated Malay States Volunteer Force, Kelantan Volunteer Force, Johore Volunteer Engineers and Kedah Volunteer Force.
An informal dinner offered by the Changi Museum at the Singapore Cricket Club the evening before the Ceremony proved to be a wonderful ice-breaker. MVG members and friends, 16 in all, enjoyed the opportunity to meet author Peter S. Rhodes and his family, local Singaporeans and FEPOWS Jimmy Chew, George Prior, and our own George Hess’e who caused great delight with his pronouncement that he walked out of Changi three days after being captured because he “didn’t like the food”! The number of guests, which included the most efficient and charming staff members and associates of the Changi Museum, totaled roughly 40. A delicious buffet dinner, punctuated by much lively conversation, was rounded off by Mr. Jeyathurai (Jeya), Director of the Changi Museum, who warmly welcomed us all and introduced the FEPOWS to the room. He was followed by Mr. Razeen Chan, Assistant Curator of the Museum, who gave us an outline of the following day’s events. FEPOW George Prior was asked to the podium and, accompanied by Alison Brierley, led the room in a rousing series of inspirational songs that showed the spirit of hope and optimism which had carried him and his fellow FEPOWS through so many awful times. It was a heart-warming finale to such a lovely evening. The following day guests began arriving at Changi Museum from 2:00 p.m. onwards. The number was doubled from the previous evening to include diplomatic representatives of Malaysia, Australia and New Zealand, members of St. John’s Ambulance, the Singapore Tourism Board and others. Refreshments were offered at the Bark Café, a pleasant open-air restaurant located beside the Museum and there was an air of anticipation as old friends and new gathered for the event. Shortly before 3:00 p.m. a bugle call announced the arrival of the Guest of Honour, Mr. S.R. Nathan, President of the Republic of Singapore. Rosemary Fell was amongst the group of five to receive him and his party at the entrance of the Museum. A second bugle call a few moments later was the signal for the 80 or so guests to take their seats in the event area by the Wartime Artist’s Gallery and a final bugle call announced the entry of the President. The Ceremony opened with warm words of welcome from Jeya. Razeen spoke next to introduce the book by Peter S. Rhodes, “To Japan To Lay A Ghost”, which tells the story of his years as a soldier and prisoner of war, and describes his journey to Japan twenty-five years after Liberation to make peace with the man whose face haunted his dreams. His daughter Janet spoke of her own experiences as a child of an ex-POW, and of the positive results and friendships that continue to this day from that healing journey made by her father nearly 40 years ago. The author then presented a signed copy of his book to the President. Professor Brian Farrell, Deputy Head of the History Department at the National University of Singapore gave a clear and illuminating talk on the history of the Malayan Volunteer Forces. Rosemary was introduced next. She spoke of the background of the Malayan Volunteer Forces and of the gradual development of the Malayan Volunteers Group, which began as an informal annual get-together over lunch by a handful of British Malayans who had been in the Volunteer Forces. Rosemary described the special bond that the men in the Volunteer Forces shared, a bond which is still felt to this day by their descendants. Her moving account of her father Eric Reeve’s time as a prisoner of war, his tragic death at the age of 36 at Chungkai, Thailand and her pride in his conduct as a member of the Malayan Volunteer Forces brought tears to the eyes of the guests. Jeya invited Rosemary and the President to approach the long wall packed with shields, plaques, badges and medals. A pair of golden curtains hung above, waiting for this moment. President S.R. Nathan drew on the suspended cord, the curtains parted and the Malayan Volunteers Group Memorial Board was unveiled. The Last Post sounded, followed by a minute’s silence, with all standing and uniformed personnel saluting. The sounding of Reveille completed the Ceremony and the President was taken on a tour of the Museum as guests were invited to a reception at the Bark Café and were each the recipient of an autographed copy of Peter S. Rhodes’ book. The Press, who had been clicking away throughout the event descended on Rosemary with a host of questions which she handled with great aplomb. The President joined the reception and before his departure posed for photos with the 4 FEPOWS attending, the author and his family, and the members and friends of MVG. There was a great buzz as guests chatted with each other, and as the hours flew by the heat of the day gave way to the balmy evening air. A beautiful tropical moon shone down on the last remaining guests who reluctantly tore themselves away from what had been a day of reflection, emotion, remembrance and celebration. ............................... Alicky Hess read out the following letter she had composed to her great grandfather who served in the Singapore Volunteers: Grandpa, I have gotten to know you so well these past two years I feel as if I have in some way connected to you. The emotional journey that I have experienced with you and mummy has been phenomenal. When I was ten I really got to know you. That was the year that mummy transcribed your prisoner of war diary. As each day came, the plot would thicken and mummy would find some more information on the camps or what happened to the letters that were sent to you from Eilish. As she discovered more, the TOP SECRET mission (the surprise for Uncle Simon & Uncle John) became even more hush hush. It was like living in a whole different world. I loved to hear about “what happened next to grandpa and if his foot was ok after the accident. I would settle down with mummy to read what she had transcribed that day it became my bed time reading. It was a way for me to escape from reality, to go back in time to the hidden years. Your time as a prisoner of the Japanese could not have been easy but you always made it seem so light hearted and less dramatic then the truth. When ever I was put in a difficult situation I would ask myself ‘what would Grandpa do?’ it made my life so much easier. You were always so positive and could overcome any situation or challenge that came your way. Not only did I get to know you through the diary, but also through your stories that mummy passed onto me. One of my favorites would be your description of an enrage Japanese Guard jumping up & down on your glasses and only afterwards realizing that you would need a new pair because you couldn’t work without them. The journey really came alive when we went to the places that you mentioned. We went to Singapore and visited the Yacht Club where you spent so many happy times, to C Holland Park where you lived, to Raffles Hotel where many an occasion was spent, the Singapore Volunteer Headquarters, the Dutch Club, Swimming Club, the Tanglin Club, Changi, Kranji and other important places in your life. You were an extraordinary man and you never gave up no matter what happened to you . I find that truly amazing. I love your sense of humour and the way you always found the bright side of things. Your faith in the future was not wasted. I will tell your story to my children and to my grandchildren. You are no longer just a name that I would hear every once in a while or just a nother black and white photograph in the family tree. You are now a very real and much loved person in my life. From your great granddaughter Alicky This year's main talk was by David Dobbs whose father, Bill, of Mansfield & Co, Penang, was a Sergeant in the Penang Volunteers. Drawing on tapes his father made and the family photo album, David described his father's service in the Volunteers pre-hostilities, with the pleasant, monthly weekend camps; during the mobilisation period & through the Malayan Campaign until he entered captivity at Singapore. David and his mother were evacuated from Penang to Singapore then to Australia. Bill's duties on arrival in Singapore included the training of Dalforce Chinese irregulars. A particular point that David emphasised was the lack of distinction between officers & other ranks in the Volunteers which often created problems when they encountered regular army officers. It was not unusual in the Volunteers for men to be taking orders from those who were their juniors in civilian life or for an NCO in the Volunteers to be wearing a First World War Military Cross. David's father was a POW in Singapore & Thailand. This was a most interesting, well-received talk. Particular thanks go to Sandy Lincoln who has worked so hard to organise not only this highly successful lunch but also the previous 5 lunches. PRESENTATION OF THE MEMORIAL BOARD TO THE CHANGI MUSEUM 1st photos from Singapore [courtesy of David Hope]. Click on the photos to enlarge. More photos can be viewed here. The details for those visiting Singapore are as follows:- THURSDAY – 11TH SEPTEMBER Buffet Dinner in the Gilmour Room at the Singapore Cricket Club Time:- 5.30 – 8.30 p.m. for Dinner at 6.00 p.m. Dress:- Smart casual This will be an informal gathering of MVG members and others including Singapore Veterans. FRIDAY – 12TH SEPTEMBER Presentation of the Memorial Board. Principal Guest of Honour – S.R. Nathan, The President of the Republic of Singapore.
MALAYAN VOLUNTEERS GROUP VJ DAY GATHERING August 15th 2008 at the National Memorial Arboretum
It was a beautiful day with clear sky and absolutely no sign of rain. Some 15 of our Malayan Volunteers Group including FEPOWs John Hedley, Harry Hesp & Ron Mitchell held a 20 minute service at the garden plot with prayers and readings contributed by those participating. John Hedley gave a very appropriate reading from Corinthians 2:1 well worth looking up if you are unfamiliar with it. Michael Mowat read from his father's memoirs of his time as a medical orderly with H Force at Hintock and showed us the boxed razor given to his father by a dying POW. Michael's sister Alison read a poem and Rosemary Fell read Margaret Dryburgh's 'The Captives Hymn.' We followed our service with a substantial picnic lunch and good chat. We look forward to meeting again, some in Singapore in September and also at the London lunch on October 4th. Before leaving the NMA Rosemary, Sandy & Jonathan delivered a substantial Malayan Volunteers information file to the FEPOW Building archive and Rosemary was able to discuss with Carol Cooper the placing of two Malayan Volunteer regimental plaques in the FEPOW Building.. Audrey McCormick represented the MVG at the Remembrance Gathering at the Cenotaph, in George Square, Glasgow. This was organised by Avril Anderson & Sandy Gibson. About 100 people attended this year, after only a small handful last year. They included two former POWs from the Kinkaseki Copper Mine, John Marshall & Benny Gough [of the Lanarkshire Yeomanry 155th Field Regiment, Royal Artillery] - one of the vilest Japanese imprisonments on record for POWs.
MALAYAN VOLUNTEERS GROUP V-J DAY GATHERING on FRIDAY, 15TH AUGUST 2008 at 12 NOON in THE MVG MEMORIAL GARDEN at The National Memorial Arboretum Alrewas. WELCOMING REMARKS by Jonathan Moffatt WREATH LAYING and Two Minute Silence Sandy Lincoln THE LORD’S PRAYER led by John Hedley followed by a reading from Corinthians 'For we would not, bretheren, have you ignorant of our trouble which came to us in Asia, that we were pressed out of measure, above strength, insomuch that we despaired even of life....' READING by Michael Mowat from Geoffrey Scott Mowat’s book “The Rainbow Through the Rain” and from Galations and a poem read by Alison Brierley THE CAPTIVE’S HYMN written by Margaret Dryburgh, an English missionary schoolteacher imprisoned on Banka Island, read by Rosemary Fell Father, in captivity We would lift our prayer to Thee. Keep us ever in Thy love, Grant that daily we may prove Those who place their trust in Thee More than conquerors may be. Give us patience to endure, Keep our hearts serene and pure, Grant us courage, charity, Greater faith, humility, Readiness to own Thy will, Be we free, or captive still. For our country we would pray, In this hour be Thou her stay, Pride and selfishness forgive, Teach her by Thy laws to live, By Thy grace may all men see That true greatness comes from Thee. For our loved ones we would pray, Be their Guardian night and day, From all danger keep them free, Banish all anxiety. May they trust us to Thy care, Know that Thou our pains dost share. May the day of freedom dawn, Peace and Justice be reborn. Grant that nations, loving Thee, O’er the world may brothers be, Cleansed by suffering, know rebirth, See Thy Kingdom come on earth. First sung on Sunday 5th July 1942. THE FEPOW PRAYER And we who are left grow old with the years Remembering the heartache, the pain and the tears Hoping and praying that never again Man will sink to such sorrow and shame The price that was paid we will always remember Every day, every month, not just in November. We Shall Remember Them THE KOHIMA EPITAPH When you go home, tell them of us and say ‘For your tomorrow, we gave our today’. Said by Harry Hesp. REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY – 11TH NOVEMBER 2007 This year, Remembrance Sunday fell on Armistice Day itself. The task of arranging the Annual Service of Remembrance at the Cenotaph in Whitehall is enormous, and can be truly appreciated only by those who have marched in the Parade. The event is organized by the Royal British Legion, and it is run with military precision. Application for the allocation of tickets to the ceremony has to be made to the RBL months beforehand, and once again the MVG was allowed 12 tickets. It’s an early start for those of us who attend the Service. A marker board, which indicates where we are to meet in Whitehall, has to be collected in Horse Guards by 9 a.m. and all marchers are requested to be in their place by 10 o’clock. This year there were 9 members of the MVG who represented the Group at the Cenotaph. Our instructions said that we were to meet outside the Old War Office Building in Whitehall, where the Civilian Column M was designated to line up. The weather forecast gave us a few anxious moments on Saturday evening, when a wet start to the day was predicted. However, apart from a slight drizzle early on, the weather was fine for the Service and March Past, and the sun shone briefly just before the start of the ceremony. Just before 11 a.m., the huge crowd of onlookers and marchers alike had fallen silent, and, as HM The Queen stepped out of the Foreign Office, only the plane leaves could be heard as they fluttered down to the ground. The television coverage cannot catch the atmosphere created by a vast sea of absolutely silent faces. It is an unforgettable experience. We were able to watch the Queen lay her wreath, followed by other members of the Royal Family, including Prince William for the first time, the Politicians and the Ambassadors on a giant TV screen to the left of us. The simple service which followed, which is the same every year, only serves to enhance the dignity and significance of the occasion. The ongoing conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan constantly remind us that Remembrance Sunday has lost none of its relevance to-day, and there seemed to be more people than ever lining the streets and watching the ceremony. The reaction of the crowds to the Marchers is also extraordinary, and very inspiring, as they clap each and every contingent passing them. The MVG Wreath this year, as with the form of Service, bore the same inscription as in previous years:- In Memory of Marching in the Civilian Column M, the MVG members had a long wait before marching. The Column was headed by the Bevan Boys in their white miners’ helmets, and the MVG contingent was the 4th group behind them. Despite displaying a label with the MVG number on it, as per instructions, the Group was not picked up by the BBC Outside Broadcast Unit, and there was no mention of the Volunteers. The salute in Horse Guards at the end of the march was taken by HRH The Duke of Edinburgh this time. Standing to attention and saluting for over an hour would tax a much younger man, and we felt very privileged that, at the age of 86 the Duke performed this onerous duty with great aplomb, patience and fortitude. The Duke maintained his position until we had all marched past him and into Horse Guards. After the playing of the National Anthem, we said our goodbyes to those who could not stay for lunch, and the remaining 5 of us enjoyed a long chatty lunch at the “All Bar One” restaurant near the London Eye. Those MVG members who attended this important annual ceremony found it to be a very worthwhile and rewarding experience. MVG LONDON LUNCH AND REUNION 2007was held on Saturday, September 29th at Super Star Chinese Restaurant, Soho. Some 40 MVG members attended including representatives from Australia < South Africa. These included veterans John Hedley [JVE] and Ron Mitchell [1SSVF] and Changi internee, Sheila Allan. This year the short address was given by Stephanie Hess who spoke about her grandfather's Singapore < Japan captivity diary and her grandmother's collection of photos and press cuttings from Singapore 1930s to 1941. The talk was extremely well received. There was much lively conversation with some most interesting connections made. DEDICATION OF THE MALAYAN VOLUNTEERS GARDEN August 15th 2007 [VJ Day]Some twenty five members of the Malayan Volunteers Group and members of other FEPOW families met at the Changi Lychgate, National Memorial Arboretum, and were led by Pipe Major Duncan Thompson to the Malayan Volunteers Garden plot. A service of dedication followed, conducted by the Revd. Tony Wood, assisted by FEPOWs Harry Hesp, John Hedley & Ron Mitchell. The National Anthem and 'I vow to thee, my country' were sung and the piper played tunes including Highland Laddie, Flowers of the Forest and Amazing Grace. After a lively lunchtime chat, members joined the Shropshire FEPOWs for their annual service. Despite gloomy forecasts, the sun came out. Click here to view the ORDER OF SERVICE Photos of the Garden dedication can be found in the gallery. Donations for this memorial garden and for the Changi Memorial Plaque, Singapore are still needed. THE NATIONAL MALAYA AND BORNEO VETERANS ASSOCIATION MERDEKA CELEBRATIONFour MVG members joined our NMBVA friends at the National Memorial Arboretum on August 31st 2007 for their Merdeka Celebration. The service was conducted in the chapel by the Rev. Bernard J. Ward and the Association members, led by our friend Pipe Major Duncan Thomson, then marched to their memorial plotfor the Last Post and Two Minute Silence. After an ample buffet we were entertained by a kukri dance by young Gurkha soldiers. 2ND INTERNATIONAL RESEARCHING FEPOW HISTORY CONFERENCEResearching FEPOW History Group2nd International Conference at the National Memorial Arboretum, Alrewas, Staffordshire on Saturday & Sunday 31 May – 1 June, 2008 The focus will be FEPOW and civilian internment in SINGAPORE, MALAYA < HONG KONG, 1942-1945 Keynote speakers: Mr Jeyathurai – Director of the Changi Museum, Singapore The Fall of Malaya and Singapore, How Singapore commemorates WWII Tony Banham – Founder of the Hong Kong War Diary website The battle for Hong Kong, FEPOW < Civilian Internees and the Hellships Guest Lecturers: Peter Francis – Commonwealth War Graves Commission ????? Dr Nigel Stanley – Medical aspects relating to FEPOW and civilian internees David Tett – FEPOW mail and postal history Sears Eldridge – FEPOW entertainments ????? Special guests: Roderick Suddaby – Imperial War Museum Roger Mansell – Director of the Center for FEPOW Research, USA Fred Seiker, FEPOW Once again, we hope to be joined by at least 12 FEPOW guests including representatives of two famous Highland regiments. £100 per delegate for the two days (Deposit £40 now, balance to pay Feb.08) Contact: For a registration form contact Meg Parkes by e-mail mm.parkes@talktalk.net or write to: Kranji, 34 Queens Road, Hoylake, Wirral CH47 2AJ or log on to www.researchingfepowhistory.org.ukPRIORITY BOOKING – Reserve your place NOW!Previous delegates have priority booking for a limited period only. Places will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. Don't miss this unique opportunity to hear leading international experts in the field of FEPOW history research.APPEAL LAUNCHED FOR THE MEMORIAL GARDEN PLOT TO THE MALAYAN VOLUNTEERS AT THE NATIONAL MEMORIAL ARBORETUM
The Board of Trustees of the NMA have approved a 8m x 15m plot. It is planned to plant Chinese birch trees at the top of the bank to provide some shade for the two MVG memorial benches. These will be set on a level paved area overlooking the lower part of the plot and the Arboretum itself. Between the benches there will be a black polished granite commemorative stone. Below the benches there will be a paved 'V' laid into the grassy bank, about 5 metres in overall length, which will lie parallel to the Malay kris in the adjacent NMBVA plot. Towards the lower part of the plot there will be some clumps of hardy bamboo at each side. Please contact Rosemary Fell if you wish to make a donation MVG Plot moves towards completion NMBVA PLOT DEDICATION 24th September 2006The dedication of the redesigned National Malaya & Borneo Veterans Association plot at the National Memorial Arboretum on September 24th was attended by 7 MVG members After the service in the Chapel there was an impressive parade with standards to the plot led by a former Argyll & Sutherland Highlander Pipe Major in full dress uniform. Two serving Gurkhas also participated. The dedication was followed by a good buffet meal.REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY 12th November 2006The Malayan Volunteers Group was represented this year by 8 members and a 5 month old baby girl called Freya, at the annual Service of Remembrance at the Cenotaph in London, lead by HM The Queen. It was a beautiful, sunny autumn day as the marchers lined up in Whitehall prior to the start of the Service. Security was very tight, but the crowds of onlookers were as great as ever, filling every vantage point along Whitehall, across Parliament Square and even overflowing into Great George Street and Horse Guards Road. The simple, dignified service was preceded by the laying of wreaths by HM The Queen and other members of the Royal Family, the Politicians and foreign Ambassadors. After the dignitaries had departed, the columns of marchers began to weave their way down Whitehall to the Cenotaph where they handed in their wreath to the ushers waiting to place them around the Cenotaph. MVG marched near the beginning of the Civilian Column M and handed in a simple Poppy Wreath bearing the following inscription:- In memory of The Malayan Volunteers both Military and Civilian who served in WW2 1941-1942 This year, the salute at the end of the March Past was taken by HRH The Duke of Kent, and the marchers were requested to remain in Horse Guards until everyone had arrived, and the National Anthem had been played. Some members had to leave immediately after the parade, but a small group of 4 had a leisurely lunch together, which rounded off a successful and very rewarding day for the MVG.
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