Brit, it is truly heartbreaking to hear the stories from the Sandakan Death March and other FEPOWs tragedies, even more so when hearing the pain and loss from the families themselves. My deepest sympathy to you and your family and for your great losses then and now with your father’s passing this year.
For your father passing only days after the anniversary of your uncle’s death, certainly is very curious, it must have been incredibly hard on him. The anniversaries become any less painful with time.
For the families of the FEPOWs that never made it home, so many like yours waited for years to find out what truly happened to their loved one, details being inaccurate and very difficult to substantiate due to the lack of witnesses left.
Many were told that they were MIA, and still held out hope for some time after the war that their men were delayed in the ensuing chaos after trying to repatriate the soldiers. I wonder how many families left a light on or lit a candle in a window like your Grandmother; I have heard a number of others doing the same.
Others were told, like your family, that their men had died of malaria... it was the most common cause of death given by the Japs regardless of what had actually happened and to cover up massacres and executions. Of course, malaria was extremely widespread and the lack of medical supplies would indeed lead to the loss of many.
It is almost beyond comprehension today, the sheer size of the Second World War, the devastation felt by so many millions over all continents. It must never be forgotten.
Out of the 2434 prisoners incarcerated at Sandakan, 1787 were Australian and 641 were British. And as you say, only 6 Australians survived because they escaped and were helped by the locals. Absolutely truly shocking and tragic.
Brit, have you read Lynette Silver’s ‘Sandakan, Conspiracy of Silence’? She is quite approachable and very knowledgeable – maybe she might be able to help work out more the location of your uncle’s death with the date that you have?
http://sandakan-deathmarch.com/
http://lynettesilver.com/
And a link to more of the Japanese War Atrocities for those who are less aware and interested to learn more:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Japanese_war_atrocities
Regarding the location of RAF Jurong, yes, I saw that from the site that attempts were being made to give the exact location of the station, would this be what you thought to? I tried looking at some maps from Singapore online but it is very difficult to work out. If I come across anything meaningful, I shall certainly send on to you. On one site, they indicate that it was very close to the Jurong Bird Park? It must be on RAF archives I guess.
A cheeky favour, but would you be able to ask the RAF Jurong forum if any there remember any more details about the exhumation from 1967 and if they would be willing to speak to me? I will see if I can find anything more out too from other organisations and let you know what I find.
Many thanks Brit and my very best wishes to you and yours