大象传媒

FROM A GREATFUL EX-P.O.W.

This being the 60th Anniversary of V.J. , I think would be appropiate to include this tribute and gratitude from a former prisoner of war, that I have had in my archives since 1945.

H.M.S. Searcher ( Escort Aircraft Carrier ) was one of the several means of transportation used to bring back to the U.K. from the Far East many ex prisoners of the Japanese. Our aircraft were left ashore in Ceylon ( Sri-Lanka ) in order to make room for some aproximately 800 ex-P.O.W.s. This tribute was compiled by one of those men, however it is anonymously written, but certainly served to reflect the feelings of many.

TO THE OFFICERS AND MEN OF HMS SEARCHER

SEPTEMBER 6TH 1945

By an Ex-P.O.W. ( Japan ).

I have found new enchantment all this day

With hair wind ruffled, gazing out to sea

Watching the silver flying-fishes play

Feeling as light as they, as careless free

Night brought fresh beauty, on leaping foam

A million fire-flecks mocked the starry sky

I seem to see the countless lights of home

So calm and tranquil, shining brilliantly

I felt a man again, gone was the past

With all it's burden vanished far astern

I'd found new friends and kindness, seen at last

Our human fire-flecks gloriously burn

In friendship firm, I see and what is more

In peace as gallant as you were in war !

From one of the many, who used to be a drooping melancholy P.O.W. (Prisoner of War). Feel on top of the world, thanks to you and the magic of the sea.

" BON VOYAGE "

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