大象传媒

PART TWO

鈥淭he food on this camp consisted of a can of tea and a half pint of rice pap before we left the camp and two rolls made of tapioca boiled out into a jelly and then baked to keep its shape, which we used to take with us, and a half-gallon of greens to share between 50 men (two spoonfuls each). We used to take tin cans with us to collect jungle vegetables on the way to work; this entailed quite a risk, as if the Japanese caught us, woe betide us. The Japanese used to supply us with a petrol drum to boil water (typhoid) and we used to put our cans round the fire and cook it that way. After a few days in this camp I got organised with a couple of sacks and flogged the blanket that the Japanese gave us, to the natives (there were a few of the boys who were experts at smuggling things out of the camp for 10%). I got 500 Guilders for it (it sounds a lot, but the value of cash had dropped so much that it was not worth 10/-). The Japanese guard had a nice racket in fruit and tobacco - they used to charge three to four times what they paid for it in the village.鈥�

鈥淚n this camp I caught malaria, as we had no mosquito nets. This occurred every ten days and the only medicine was powdered quinine bark in its raw state. This was so rough that it tore the linings of our stomachs and touched off the dysentery again. Here the Japanese were absolutely fanatics; the rail must go through at all costs. We worked all hours of daylight, no rest day or anything. My kit at this time had grown to 2 sacks sewn together as a blanket, 1 tin plate, several coconut shells and a home made spoon. As we had no huts the Japanese let us grow our hair again but I was continuously having headaches and giddy spells through the sun glare. Then we had more trouble added to us - the rains came and all around the camp was flooded for miles and as the line was run right through the jungle the embankment acted as a dam and quite a lot of the line was washed away. The Japanese were very agitated by this and we were turned out at all hours of the night to try to save it. To do this we had to wade through the water, balance on the line and push sleepers along with our chests till we came to the break, then we had to lay the sleepers criss-cross under the line so that the water could run underneath.鈥�

鈥淓ventually I was regarded as a permanently sick man and sent to No. 2 Camp with dysentery and malaria. They ran a form of hospital there with a nice big graveyard (an essential part of this kind of camp). Here the food was very short, as the Japanese worked on the principle that a sick man cannot eat. I believe that our official ration was 100 grams of rice per day (less than the average housewife) used to make a rice pudding in England). After a while I got posted to No. 4 Camp as a tailor (flannelled this was, as I was handy with a needle). Here I stayed until released on 18 September 1945.鈥� Our pay was 15 cents a day and this is a brief idea of the prices on the camps: A needle 2 guilders; a tablespoon of sugar, 20 cents; enough tobacco to roll a cigarette, 20 cents鈥� a spoonful of peanuts, 15 cents; spoon of salt, 30 cents; a page of the bible (to roll cigarette), 20 cents; kitbag (to make shorts) 80 Guilders. I have seen a two-ounce tin of bully beef go for 拢3 in English money. My weight on going overseas was 1-stone 7 lb. On release my weight was 5 stone 6 lb but since my return I have managed to get up to 9 stone 4 lb. I have had about 50 attacks of malaria and still get them, as well as frequent trouble with my eyes.

Letter from L/M R.W. Robb - C/NK No. 690939 HMLC (L), 116 Naval Bases, Eastern Theatre - C/O GPO Readings, Berks 21.9.1945
鈥�. We arrived back today from a place 100 mile up a river in Sumatra where we went to bring back some of our lads who had been Prisoners of War for 3 陆 years. Amongst them was a fellow from Brighton. He had at one time lived in the White Horse in Camelford Street, but his parents are now living in Coombe Road. His name was Freeman and his father in 1940 used to run the White Horse. He had been ill treated and starved all the time. They had had all kinds of illnesses and had had malaria more times than they could remember. Most of them were so thin you could hardly believe it and next to no clothes and the majority had had no boots for over 3 years. They had been building a railway in some of the worst jungle in the world with only a small amount of rice to eat and they look as if they will never be normal again, through the beatings and slow starvation. Some were even worse than those photos in Germany and when they were given food they could hardly eat it. Now they are in hospital in Singapore where they will get some decent treatment and will go home鈥︹�︹��.Edward

NB. Edward鈥檚 father and sister walked up Coombe Road (one of the steepest in Brighton), on receipt of this letter, to find the house and tell Fred鈥檚 family.

Mr S Johnson, 276 Freshfield Road, Brighton was with Fred Freeman in all except Sumatra and Mr S Pettit, Mafeking Road, Brighton was in Sumatra.

(Fred鈥檚 mother wrote to him regularly during his confinement, in spite of family and friends insisting he must have died. She had no replies but some of her correspondence did get through to him.)
Correspondence:
Singapore 21 September - Dear Mum & Dad, Just a short note to let you know I've started on my way. We left Sumatra on the 19th exactly 12 months to the hour of arriving. We were torpedoed on the 18th and arrived at Padang on the 19th at 5 o/c app and we left Pakon Bashoe at 5 o/c approx so you see its a 12 months exact. I'm writing this from the Singapore General Hospital (don't worry there's nothing wrong that rest and good food won't cure). At the moment I'm writing this in bed (a stretcher) with a dose of Malaria (my 26th) so you'll have to excuse it being short and sweet. I'm expecting to get the boat in a few days and when I get home I'll give you all the "gen". Well I'll close now as I want to write the rest a few lines. Lots of love and kisses. Fred XXXX

Airmail from Singapore 23 September - Dear Mum & Dad, Just another brief note to let you know I'm OK Singapore is still in chaos, money valueless its food everyone wants myself included, still it could be worse. My dose of Malaria is in its last day (I hope) that is if it runs to form. It鈥檚 quite a habit with me now. We keep hearing rumours of Boats but nothing material still it鈥檚 a pretty certain thing that we will be home for Xmas. Must close now as the Docs on his rounds.

Air Ministry (Casualty Branch), 73-77 Oxford Street, W1 1.10.1945 - Ref P401313/43/P4PW/B.5 - Sir, I am directed to state that information has been received that 916461 LAC F. G. Freeman is safe in allied hands. Although it may be some time before he arrives in the United Kingdom you will doubtless hear from him direct before long. In any case, information of a general character regarding recovered prisoners, including their movements before they reach home, will be given from time to time in the wireless and will be published in the press. I am, Sir... to F. A. Freeman, esq.

From Sir Edward Wilshaw KCMG Chairman, Cable & Wireless Ltd, Electra House, Victoria Embankment, London WC2:
Dear Sir or Madam, It is a great pleasure to me to be able to send you the enclosed copy of a telegram from your relative who is now liberated from the Japanese. In order to relieve your anxiety at the earliest possible moment this message has been transmitted free of charge by Cable & Wireless Ltd, from the Far East, and by the Post Office, in co-operation with the War Office. In the same way we shall be happy to send your reply free, if you will write it - using about 12 words in addition to the address - on the enclosed form and hand it in at your local Cable & Wireless Office or any Post Office where telegrams are normally accepted. Will you please insert on the reply-paid form the address given in the enclosed telegram and sign it with your surname. With best wishes I remain, yours sincerely, (signed)

PO Telegram from LAC Freeman to Mr F Freeman, 26 Crayford Rd, Brighton, Sussex - from Colombo 2 Oct 1945 - AM SAFE BRITISH HANDS HOPE TO BE HOME SOON. WRITING ADDRESS LETTERS AND TELEGRAMS TO C/O PO BOX 164 LONDON EC1 (Received Brighton 5 October 1945) (copy also from Cable & Wireless Ltd)

Letters from Fred to his parents: Madras (India) 3.10.1945 - from 916461 LAC Freeman F. EX-POW to Mr & Mrs FA Freeman 26 Crayford Rd, Coombe Rd, Brighton, Sussex -
Dear Mum & Dad, Just a line to let you know I've started on my trip home. We flew from Singapore yesterday. 12 1/2 hours in a Short's Sunderland flying boat. The first 2 or 3 hours its was a bit rough we ran into a few rain clouds and air pockets as you can imagine we were tossed about a bit in one pocket we dropped 1000 ft (some drop) but I must say the reception we got here was overwhelming there was a F.A.N.Y. Van waiting for us and kept asking us if we wanted anything else. After wearing a bit of sacking around my loins for 3 yrs it鈥檚 a bit of a job to remember what goes to make a civilised kit. Well no more room so will close hoping you are both in the best of health and hoping to see you both soon. Lots of love Fred XXXXX

Bangaloaw (I hope it spelt write) 7.10.45 - from 916441 LAC Freeman F. EX-POW to Mr & Mrs FA Freeman 26 Crayford Rd, Brighton, Sussex - Dear Mum & Dad, Just another few lines to tell you I'm moving up. We left Madras at approx 12 noon yesterday and arrived here @ 8o/c this morning (I've just woken up after a hard earned nap) we came by Ambulance train, very nice but I'm hanged if I can sleep lying down on a train of course there were no seats just stretchers (2 trains) and I had to get the top one. You know it a heck of a job writing letters again after 3 1/2 years so excuse my spelling where its wrong etc. I hope you both are in the pink and all the rest of the family, Give my love to them all. I saw a few pictures of Brighton in one of the illustrated papers the other day and believe me it looked good I got quite homesick all my love Fred XXXX Roll on!!!

PO Telegram to Mr Freeman, 26 Crayford Rd, Brighton, Sussex - from Colombo 8 Oct 1945 - ARRIVED SANELY (!?) AT BANGALORE HOPE TO BE HOME SOON. WRITING LETTERS AND TELEGRAMS C/O RECOVERED PW MAIL CENTRE BOMBAY INDIACOMMAND = Fred Freeman
Bombay 16.10,1945 - Dear Mum & Dad, Just a line in haste (and in the middle of packing. What a system!!) To let you know I'm starting the next hop tomorrow by kite. I understand that I'll be in Blighty by Sunday, so I might be home before this if so, so much the better. Well I'll continue packing. Lots of love Fred XXXXX

114 BG Hospital Bangalore 12.10.45 - Dear Mum & Dad, Just a few lines to let you know I'm in the pink and recovering rapidly. I was 7 st 10 lbs on arrival at Singapore and am now 9 st 4 lbs pretty good eh! Well the main object of this letter is to tell you I'm off again. I leave here at 7.30 am tomorrow by train to Karachi via Poona (I've just spent 5 mins trying to find it on the ma I though I had spelt it wrong and "Blimey" its' some distance) When we arrive I understand we might be there from 1 - 10 days then if things go as I hope I'll be home in about 5 days as I put down to fly. Still even by boat its' not such a long journey about 10 days but boats are scarce. I received Eileen鈥檚 cable about 1/2 hour ago and was I pleased the first word for 12 months the last card I got of yours was wishing me a happy Birthday since then I've had another birthday. Well will close now as I've got all my kit to pack (3 kitbags and a bed roll. Blimey) I'll need about 6 porters (2 for me + 4 for the kit) Lots of love to all Fred XXXX

Frederick Freeman in hospital at Cosford camp, between January and June 1946, when he met Miss Marie Louise Goddard (WAAF no. 475362). The patients had only one leather punch to share and Marie went with another girl, into the men's ward to borrow the punch. Marie鈥檚 leg was in plaster after a police Alsatian ran into the back of her while going down a slope and dislocated her knee. She had to sit on the first bed inside the entrance. The men surrounded them and Fred came through the crowd and took her one side to pass her the punch. She said she fell for his white teeth. Their engagement party was in their local pub at Albrighton.

Marie joined the WAAF at Innesworth - 6 weeks induction course. To Morecambe - stayed in basement of B&B near seafront. The storms were bad. She and the other WAAFs who were billeted there woke up one day to find seawater flooded the basement to the base of their beds. When they went along the Front to the station, 2 girls were swept into the sea and drowned. From Morecambe Marie was posted to Cosford as part of the medical team processing returning POWs. Marie was in hospital at Cosford camp in January 1946 when she met Frederick Freeman, her future husband. Marie would come by train from Wolverhampton to Brighton to stay with his family. Often she would be the only girl on a train of men but there was never any trouble. Marie and Fred were engaged at the Crown public house, Albrighton, on 14 August 1946. Marie typed the following report of the event:
14 August 1946
A very congenial gathering was held in the 鈥淐rown鈥�, Albrighton this evening to celebrate the engagement of Cpl FG Freeman to ACW ML Goddard.
Among those present were several dubious characters, notably one, a WAAF, who (when she does answer) answers to the name of Nan 鈥淗aggis Basher鈥� and sundry other queer names. This is accounted for by the fact that she is a foreigner; the country to blame for its survival being Scotland!!!!!!!
Whilst on the subject of foreigners, another stranger to the English language, also a WAAF was present. She found great pleasure in the strange liquid sold to the British Public under the misnomer of 鈥渂eer鈥�!! This creature hails from over that wide stretch of water known as the herring pond and on rare occasions, as the Atlantic. The island being Canada.
Another of the party was that infamous cricketer LAC Lucroft. Who as usual went for a duck but got the bird鈥�.
Two henpecks were there to witness the initiation of another poor B----- to the sect.
PS at the time of going to Press they were still trying to get some grub鈥︹�︹�︹��..
(Overstamped MEDICAL BOARD 13 AUG 1946 106 PRC RAF COSFORD)

(Nancy was the Scottish WAAF and Muriel the Canadian)

My father had photos of storm drains that were lost when they were torpedoed. They were swimming amongst sharks. My father offered another man an oar. Dad had a rope burn round his upper arm where he struggled to climb up to the ship. I remember hearing about the vicious Koreans and the Japanese who would peg out prisoners over quick growing bamboo so that would grow through the man鈥檚 body. Another torture was to force-feed the POW with water and jump on his full belly. My father spoke of his meeting with Lady Mountbatten - the 1st white woman they had seen for years. She made a great impact on the lives of the POWs. He left this letter and some paperback books about the FEPOW camps with his comments.

漏 Copyright of content contributed to this Archive rests with the author. Find out how you can use this.