大象传媒

Mr H.G. Wells 鈥� Herbert Geoffrey 鈥� known as Geoff
20 March 1913 to 17 November 1983
Private 5833155 鈥� 4th Battalion Suffolk Regiment 鈥� Headquarters Medical Section (World War II)

This account is to honour and pay tribute to our father who, with great courage and sacrifice, survived three and a half years in a Japanese POW camp in Thailand during the 2nd world war. He returned home to his devoted wife Winifred Beatrice Wells (nee Chapman), whom he called Lassie, and they subsequently had 3 children, Peter in 1947, Christine in 1949 and Rosemary in 1951.

He was born in Addiscombe, Croydon, Surrey and they married in 1937 at Croydon parish church. They moved to Watford, Herts as he had just taken up a new job at Burton Taylors as a store salesman. He had just become a volunteer in the National Fire Service when he was called up in 1940. As our Dad鈥檚 father (Edward John Henry) had served in the army during the first world war ( 14th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers), and grandfather (Edward James), in the 3rd Norfolk Regiment for 30 years, he too joined the army. As his local regiment, the Beds and Herts had no vacancies, he enlisted in the Suffolk Regiment on 24 June 1940 because this is where his family had originated.

His three brothers also served in the second world war, Walter in the Merchant Navy, and Jack and Bert in the Royal Air Force. The former was killed in a mission over Germany.

He joined up with one of his neighbours, Mr Jim Pope, who did not return alive. Before they went overseas, Dad trained as a stretcher bearer, which gave him protection under the Geneva Convention 1929 to give medical assistance to battle casualties. In June 1941 he undertook further training in fire duties. At some point he was stationed in Hawick in Scotland which may not have been the most suitable environment for their subsequent encounter with jungle conditions in the Far East.

After two weeks home leave, spent with our Mum in October 1941, he was away for the next 4 years, during which time they attempted to correspond by letter. Only one of his letters survived dated 31 October 1941, in which he describes sleeping in hammocks on the boat as they travelled to the Far East. It was a hospital ship and he talks about learning the treatments and routines of the medical officer in charge. He was also able to attend regular church services on board.

Dad told us that after arriving near Singapore he was involved in fighting in the jungle before his capture. He came under shell fire from the Japanese troops and they had to dig holes to take cover, One of his colleagues who dug a larger hole was killed while he survived.

Dad was taken prisoner by the Japanese on 15 February 1942 after the fall of Singapore with many thousands of other British and Allied troops. This date was our Mum鈥檚 birthday and he had just sent her a greetings telegram from Singapore when he was taken prisoner. He was initially held in Changi prison in Singapore until 6 November 1942 when he was moved to Ban Pong No 1 POW camp in Thailand. Dad worked in the base hospital as a medical auxiliary, caring for fellow POWs and did not have any involvement in the building of the Thailand 鈥� Burma railway.

He talked to us as children about some of his experiences as a POW of the Japanese. He observed some very barbaric acts by some of the guards, but he did not find them all equally bad. The guards were routinely referred to as 鈥淣ips鈥� because of their small stature compared to the British soldiers without them being aware this term was derogatory. He learnt some words of Japanese and how to count, and they taught some of their guards English words in return. However, they pretended when playing cards to count Jack, Queen, King, Ace instead of eleven, twelve, thirteen, fourteen so that the guards learnt the wrong words. This enabled them to find humour in their situation as well as to prevent their spirit being broken. Another story we remember is about his name HG Wells. He was uncertain whether to pretend he was the famous author who was Herbert George (not Geoffrey). He thought this might lead to better treatment, or possibly worse, so he decided against this.

On 19 February 1944 he was transferred to Nong Pladuk POW hospital for treatment for tropical leg ulcers, and then to Nakawn Patong POW hospital on 15 May 1944 for the same problem.

The war against the Japanese ended on 15 August 1945, with them surrendering only after the dropping of two atomic bombs on two Japanese cities by the American forces. Dad was first taken to Rangoon in Burma, where the POWs were welcomed by the Indian Red Cross, to be given care, food and medical treatment. They received a letter in English saying 鈥� Through these long years we have not forgotten you. We of the Red Cross have tried every way of establishing contact and relieving your hardships. Some provisions have been sent and many messages despatched, but we do not know how much has reached you for the callous indifference of the enemy has made the task well nigh impossible. But now the enemy is beaten and you are all free once more.鈥�

After a long sea journey on the SS Orduna, Dad arrived at Liverpool docks on 13 October 1945. He first went to a reception camp in England and on 19 October 1945 he was discharged 鈥渇it for leave鈥�. He had a medical examination where he reported having contracted malaria, tropical leg ulcers, beri-beri and dengue. Mum had contacted the Red Cross and they arranged for him to be brought home by car from Euston Station. In a copy of the Watford Observer reporting his safe return home, our mother said 鈥� I鈥檓 so excited, I don鈥檛 know whether I鈥檓 on my head or my heals鈥�. Our father was discharged from service on 14 January 1946 saying his military conduct was 鈥渆xemplary. He was a clean and cheerful man, hard working and honest鈥�.

POWs returning from the Far East were given double food rations for 6 weeks and could buy 6 weeks supply of cigarettes, chocolate and sweets at reduced prices.

He was awarded 3 medals for his war service : the 1939-45 star, the 1939-45 War Medal and the Pacific Star with Burma Clasp.

During the war our parents tried to keep in touch by letters, post cards and telegrams. The British Red Cross with the Order of St John set up a war department in London to try to facilitate correspondence getting through. Mum only kept one of Dad鈥檚 letters dated 31 October 1941 鈥� letter number one. She told us later that she destroyed the others she received because they were stamped with marks made by the Japanese censor and she wanted no reminder of his captivity and ill treatment. Perhaps our father did want to keep his wife鈥檚 letters 鈥� a total of 19 survived, which are full of love and concern 鈥� because having them was a major factor in his survival in the camp. He has recorded in pencil the dates on which he actually received each letter or card. Two letters Mum wrote in June and July 1942 were not received by him for over one year. On the back of one of these letters he has used the blank paper to record the full name, rank and whereabouts in alphabetic order of his fellow POWs as well as the total number of losses by June 1944 of 332. Paper was in very short supply but by keeping this sort of information hidden from his prison guards he would have risked death if it were found.

Following a period of paid leave he was able to return to his job as store salesman at Burton Taylors in Watford on 3 April 1946.

Dad found it very difficult to adjust to things on his return, though he tried not to talk about his experiences, especially to Mum. He was able to work and remained at Burtons Watford for 40 years. However his health was affected and he suffered recurrent bouts of malaria and a collapsed lung.

Our parents struggled financially, especially after their children were born, although we were very much wanted. They had planned to buy their house in Croxley Green but the war began before they were able to. After the war this was no longer an option, and they continued to pay rent with nothing to show for it. Our parents felt angry and bitter about this situation, especially after their experiences during the war that they were never able to own their home or pass it on to their children as many of their neighbours had done.

Initially Dad did keep in touch with some of his ex comrades in the Suffolk Regiment, but gradually he lost touch with them. He became increasingly isolated socially, apart from his job, and withdrawn emotionally. He loved his garden and grew fruit and vegetables. He built a greenhouse and keeping his flower beds was his pride and joy.

In spite of the financial problems we were able to enjoy family holidays at the seaside, though only for one week initially. We went to Broadstairs, Kent one year, but the Isle of Wight soon became the firm favourite, first at Sandown and later at Ventnor. For several years we hired a house called 鈥淲oodstock鈥� and by now we were able to go for 2 weeks.

In August 1962 Mum and Dad celebrated their Silver Wedding Anniversary. After his retirement, and with the arrival of 5 grandchildren this became a happier time for our parents. Peter had a daughter and son 鈥� Jackie and Stuart, Christine also had one of each 鈥� Wendy and Andrew, and Rosemary a son 鈥� James. Mum and Dad loved having them to stay or visiting us in our homes. In August 1977 they celebrated their Ruby Wedding Anniversary. However, towards the end of his life Dad developed mental health problems and had admissions to a psychiatric hospital. After Mum died, Dad found life very difficult without her and he survived less than two years

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