Ceremony honours POWs of Japanese

Aug 21 2008 by Sandra Walls, Hamilton Advertiser

LANARKSHIRE veterans of the war in the Far East last Friday joined comrades from other parts of central Scotland for a service at the Cenotaph in George Square, Glasgow.

They were at the ceremony with other prisoners of war to commemorate the victory over Japan and the end of World War Two

Benny Gough (93), from Hamilton, and John Marshall (88), of Bellshill, served with the Lanarkshire Yeomanry during the conflict.

After they were captured by the Japanese, they were transported to Taiwan to work as slaves in the notorious Kinkaseki Copper Mine.

Jimmy Hart (92), from Wishaw, was a member of the Royal Army Service Corp before his capture.

He worked as a slave labourer on the so-called ‘Death Railway’ constructed between Thailand and Burma which was immortalised in the epic film Bridge on the River Kwai

All three became POWs of the Japanese after the fall of Singapore in February, 1942, which has been regarded as one of the darkest moments of the Second World War.

The Service of Remembrance, organised by the Far East Prisoner of War Community Group, was first held in 2007.

One of thee organisers is Lanarkshire woman Avril Anderson, who lives in East Kilbride.

She said: “After last year's service we pledged that we would continue to ‘remember’ the POWs of the Japanese in this way and we hoped to encourage others to join us.

“We were therefore very pleased when we had over a hundred there this year.

“In my opinion it is an indication of the interest still held about the hardship and horror endured by these amazing men. It is important that the sacrifice made by them is never forgotten.”

People travelled to George Square from all over Lanarkshire and Central Scotland including Hamilton, Bellshill, Wishaw, East Kilbride, Cumbernauld, Barrhead, Clarkston, Glasgow, Dumfries, Edinburgh and Ayrshire to take part in the ‘Act of Remembrance’.

Ms Anderson added: “The FEPOW Community Group and others have petitioned the Prime Minister to have August 15 recognised as the Far East Prisoner of War Day as well as VJ Day but, despite massive support, it was turned down.

“Nevertheless, the fight continues by relatives and supporters to have the POWs formally recognised.”

The group can be found at www.fepow-community.org.uk