´óÏó´«Ã½

Colombo Harbour, Ceylon, a few weeks after the end of the Japanese War, when a large part of the invasion force of, ‘Operation Zipper’ had slipped through the harbour entrance, to take part in the retaking of Malaya,[Malaysia] and Singapore.

As the very first troopship, carrying Japanese Prisoner’s of War, home to the U K, entered, every ship in Colombo Harbour blasted it’s siren in salute.

After the troopship had moored, there was some delay, before, barges, lighters and RAF craft ferried the Jap. POW’s ashore.

Although they had received the best of, food and medical attention for a few weeks, yet most looked like men from Belsen, wearing brand new uniforms.

Many attractive young ladies had been recruited as escorts to the parties of POW’s. Marquees had been erected, and, Colombo did it’s very best to welcome and entertain them. Everything was free. They received that extra VIP treatment, which they wholly deserved, although, then, few servicemen or civilians were completely aware of the full extent of Japanese atrocities

My mother had regularly, sent me the local Weekly Chronicle paper, and after arriving in Colombo, due to my six weeks troopship journey and several weeks in various transit camps, I had suddenly, received, ten week’s copies in one delivery. I therefore went alongside the troopship in RAF Pinnace, 90, where hundreds of POW’s looked down from the several decks ,and I held up a large card, with,’ Anyone From Bath’ written on it.

From high up a voice yelled, and I bundled the papers together, and threw a heaving line up to the Bathonion, exchanging a brief few words.

Most POW’s had been at the mercy of the Japanese for three and a half years, during which time, few had received any world news, or mail, so it must have been a wonderful surprise for the recipient, to receive fairly recent news from his home, particularly as the Weekly paper included a photographic supplement, of local weddings and events of interest.

I understand that the Jap POW troopships, did not speed home, thereby, giving, good food and medical attention as much time as possible to take beneficial effect.

Foolishly I did not write to the Chronicle until many years later , asking if any POW could remember my delivery of Weekly Chronicles. Sadly there was no reply, but, I did realise that so many, due to their treatment, had not enjoyed a long life.

1866596 LAC Smith, Pinnace 90, Colombo Harbour,Ceylon,1945

Next to our jetty, on which there was a Stotherts and Pitts[Bath] crane, of ancient vintage, were moored the very large Arab Dhows with their triangular sails, which traded with the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. We always dipped ensigns to each other at sea

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