Follow us around Supplement
Title
Follow us around Supplement
Description
Requests from FEPOW club members to keep in touch with other ex-prisoners of war.
Creator
Spatial Coverage
Language
Format
Two printed sheets
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Rights
This content is available under a CC BY-NC 4.0 International license (Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0). It has been published ‘as is’ and may contain inaccuracies or culturally inappropriate references that do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the University of Lincoln or the International Bomber Command Centre. For more information, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ and https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/legal.
Contributor
Identifier
MMilsonGW937875-240119-300001, MMilsonGW937875-240119-300002
Transcription
[underlined] Supplement. [/underlined]
[underlined] FOLLOW US AROUND. [/underlined]
[underlined] WALLY BROWN [/underlined] of SHORTFERRY CARAVAN PARK, FISKERTON, near LINCOLN would like to hear from JOCK ANDERSON of 9th INDIAN DIVISION. They were together throughout their P.O.W. days.
[underlined] ARTHUR DYSON [/underlined] of 24, RUTH HOUSE, OTLEY ROAD, BRADFORD, WEST YORKSHIRE, DB3 0DB (formerly of KINGS (LIVERPOOL) REGIMENT – 77th BRIGADE – and ex WINGATE’S GLIDER TROOPS was in RANGOON JAIL with Pilots and Air Crews. An American friend found his Glider Pilot for him but sadly he has since died but a TEX BICKNEL from Texas has asked Arthur to try to locate [underlined] JOE ASHWORTH [/underlined] formerly of No.3 BLOCK, RANGOON GAOL.
It is an honour to hear from our American friends and it would be nice if we could find out something about JOE ASHWORTH – How about it fellers! What a treat for Arthur if we could find JOE.
I have seen a photo of Doris and Ted Bicknell in ‘RANGOON RAMBLINGS’ and when you were trying to remember an American airman who was in solitary in Rangoon Gaol answering I believe to the name of “Pappa”. Did you find him Arthur? We would love to know. You [underlined] Rats of Rangoon [/underlined] will be honoured wherever FEPOWs meet and I am very touched by the lovely poem written by Virginia Humphrey which goes like this:-
[underlined] THE REUNION. [/underlined]
I sat ‘midst ageing warriors
Shining golden in the after-glow of youth,
And my heart over-flowed.
Neither those who stood at Thermopylae,
Nor those who charged at Balaclava,
Nor those who fell at Gallipoli
Were braver than these.
For, truly they had walked ‘thru the valley of the shadow of death”
And brought the gift of freedom to me!
Virginia Humphrey.
It took a pair of boots to get us together again. ERIC PARKER late of 2nd Cambs and I survived the Alexander Hospital massacre in Singapore but Eric lost an arm. Those boots will always remain ‘between us two’ but unknown to me Eric has written some grand poetry and I give the following which so many of us remember:-
[underlined] CHANGI LYCHGATE [/underlined]
Here at Bassingbourn Barracks, this lychgate stands
As a silent reminder of a far and mystic land
It was built by the Sappers with pride and great skill
To honour their comrades who were killed.
From the heart of East Anglia men had answered the call,
But after long days of fighting, Singapore did fall.
The years in captivity and in Changi prison
Had taken their toll but the spirit hath risen.
Men broken in body and tortured in mind
Survived by their faith, to serve all mankind
And out of disaster that good should prevail
With help from above, the will could not fail.
This memorial was erected to honour men and God’s glory
With unwavering devotion, that tells its own story.
The lychgate stands proud in its well-appointed place
In memory of men, and to God’s amazing grace.
Bassingbourn Barracks. E.G. Parker
MR.W.T. CROCKER (Chairman of TORBAY EX FEPOW CLUB) is trying to find the brother of a Salvation Army lassie. He was Gunner C.S. Place (1577759) 7th COAST BATTERY, 9th Coast Regt RA., Malaya who died en route to Japan in 1944. Can anyone help?
/P.T.O
[page break]
If so (please God) kindly write to Mr. W.T. Crocker, 49, Littlegate Road, Paignton, South Devon, TQ3 3AZ. Last card received from him was from No.4 Camp, Thailand.
[underlined] DICK NOKES [/underlined] would like to hear from RON MINIFE or anyone who served in TANGLIN MILITARY HOSPITAL, CHANGI up to the end of the conflict; he was in Tanglin Medical Stores and his No. was 7385604. Can anybody help? If so please write immediately to MR. R. NOKES, UNIT 2/37, CHURCH STREET, NEWCASTLE 2300, N.S.W., AUSTRALIA.
[underlined] MR. R.H. KEELING, 4, BUSHWALK DRIVE, NERANG, QUEENSLAND 4211, AUSTRALIA
[/underlined] would dearly like to hear from any members who served in the 29th C.M.T.D., R.A.S.C. Enquiry from Ed: would this be 2/29th?
CALLING [underlined] HARRY BLACKHAM [/underlined] of LEICESTER: Many thanks for the information you have sent me. I am ‘up to my neck in it’ as usual, but will writing a.s.a.p. Meantime, many, many thanks and hope all the family are well. Bill.
[underlined] To MARY BIRKETT, DEVON. [/underlined] Thanks for your letter and enclosures. FULCRUM No.28 will soon be winging its way to you. Strangely enough, I have heard from Mr. Robert Maxwell [underlined] personally [/underlined] and intend to take our issue up with him.
Friends – I am sorry for using space for personal messages but I only wish I could use Morse Code (which I don’t know). I write shorthand yes, but how many can read it?
[underlined] TALKING OF PERSONAL MESSAGES. [/underlined] If anyone would like to send Christmas Greetings to a mate etc through the FULCRUM please send a £1 which will go towards the Fighting Fund. Bill. Earlier the better as the last time we did it we were flooded out. Even rude messages are accepted.
[underlined] MR. ERNEST WARWICK, [/underlined] Author of TAMAJAO 241 and keen member of JLCSA has had a very rough time medically. He is also the owner of a devastating sense of humour and when asking if there was anything I could do for him he said “YES, TRY TO SELL THE REST OF MY BLOODY BOOKS FOR ME!” Spoken in jest, but Ernie does have some he would like to dispose of and if you know of anyone who hasn’t a copy or even if you would like to give one as a Christmas present, please contact Ernie per MR. ERNEST WARWICK, [underlined] 94, [/underlined] CLIFTON ROAD, ASHINGDON, ROCHFORD, ESSEX: Price £10.95p including postage. You have had a tough time mate and tricky operations of the neurosurgery kind are not to be considered lightly. You have done so well Ernie although confined to the wheelchair, but keep up that sense of humour and yes, we will do our best to dispose of the books knowing that you are unable to get about again. So there we are folks, if you know anyone who was not a FEPOW this book will shake them and at the same time fascinate them as well.
[underlined] REG DOWLING of WALTHAMSTOW [/underlined] diced with death smuggling superb drawings from Jap discovery. Reg, now 75, neatly folded up life-like drawings by artist Leo Rawlings and brought them safely back to England. He had traded a few bits and bobs he possessed for the pictures and put them under his belt until the Allies arrived and liberated the camp. Reg still has these priceless pictures and plans to give them to a museum.
SOME SPECIAL MAPS IN GREAT DETAIL WERE PRINTED COVING [sic] AREAS FROM RANGOON TO BANKOK. We have been sent two, for which we are grateful. One in great detail shows a position between 99° and 101° and Camps in Thailand or Siam of which little seems to be know. It is difficult to read but 1,000 men left NAKHON NAYA to march to SHAN STATES but only 780 made it to PITSANULOKE. This latter map over which I have poured for hours was sent to Ron Shayler but he cannot remember who by. Would our friend please contact me with details of this part of Siam right North of BANGKOK as although we know so much about the Camps up the Kwai and the Railway I have never heard of P.O.W activity in this particular area. What were you working on? Was it part of the Railway construction. Please let me know as I am fascinated and anxious to learn exactly what happened up there.
If any other lads were there, please drop me a line. Many thanks. BILL.
[underlined] STOP PRESS: [/underlined] Orders can now be taken for LADIES HEADSQUARES either in [underlined] WHITE [/underlined] or [underlined] ROYAL BLUE [/underlined] with GOLD SCORPION logo and J.L.C.S.A initials in EACH CORNER. 27” SQUARE. PRICE . . . £4 each. ALSO, 1990 DIARIES ARE AVAILABLE AT 35p EACH.
[underlined] FOLLOW US AROUND. [/underlined]
[underlined] WALLY BROWN [/underlined] of SHORTFERRY CARAVAN PARK, FISKERTON, near LINCOLN would like to hear from JOCK ANDERSON of 9th INDIAN DIVISION. They were together throughout their P.O.W. days.
[underlined] ARTHUR DYSON [/underlined] of 24, RUTH HOUSE, OTLEY ROAD, BRADFORD, WEST YORKSHIRE, DB3 0DB (formerly of KINGS (LIVERPOOL) REGIMENT – 77th BRIGADE – and ex WINGATE’S GLIDER TROOPS was in RANGOON JAIL with Pilots and Air Crews. An American friend found his Glider Pilot for him but sadly he has since died but a TEX BICKNEL from Texas has asked Arthur to try to locate [underlined] JOE ASHWORTH [/underlined] formerly of No.3 BLOCK, RANGOON GAOL.
It is an honour to hear from our American friends and it would be nice if we could find out something about JOE ASHWORTH – How about it fellers! What a treat for Arthur if we could find JOE.
I have seen a photo of Doris and Ted Bicknell in ‘RANGOON RAMBLINGS’ and when you were trying to remember an American airman who was in solitary in Rangoon Gaol answering I believe to the name of “Pappa”. Did you find him Arthur? We would love to know. You [underlined] Rats of Rangoon [/underlined] will be honoured wherever FEPOWs meet and I am very touched by the lovely poem written by Virginia Humphrey which goes like this:-
[underlined] THE REUNION. [/underlined]
I sat ‘midst ageing warriors
Shining golden in the after-glow of youth,
And my heart over-flowed.
Neither those who stood at Thermopylae,
Nor those who charged at Balaclava,
Nor those who fell at Gallipoli
Were braver than these.
For, truly they had walked ‘thru the valley of the shadow of death”
And brought the gift of freedom to me!
Virginia Humphrey.
It took a pair of boots to get us together again. ERIC PARKER late of 2nd Cambs and I survived the Alexander Hospital massacre in Singapore but Eric lost an arm. Those boots will always remain ‘between us two’ but unknown to me Eric has written some grand poetry and I give the following which so many of us remember:-
[underlined] CHANGI LYCHGATE [/underlined]
Here at Bassingbourn Barracks, this lychgate stands
As a silent reminder of a far and mystic land
It was built by the Sappers with pride and great skill
To honour their comrades who were killed.
From the heart of East Anglia men had answered the call,
But after long days of fighting, Singapore did fall.
The years in captivity and in Changi prison
Had taken their toll but the spirit hath risen.
Men broken in body and tortured in mind
Survived by their faith, to serve all mankind
And out of disaster that good should prevail
With help from above, the will could not fail.
This memorial was erected to honour men and God’s glory
With unwavering devotion, that tells its own story.
The lychgate stands proud in its well-appointed place
In memory of men, and to God’s amazing grace.
Bassingbourn Barracks. E.G. Parker
MR.W.T. CROCKER (Chairman of TORBAY EX FEPOW CLUB) is trying to find the brother of a Salvation Army lassie. He was Gunner C.S. Place (1577759) 7th COAST BATTERY, 9th Coast Regt RA., Malaya who died en route to Japan in 1944. Can anyone help?
/P.T.O
[page break]
If so (please God) kindly write to Mr. W.T. Crocker, 49, Littlegate Road, Paignton, South Devon, TQ3 3AZ. Last card received from him was from No.4 Camp, Thailand.
[underlined] DICK NOKES [/underlined] would like to hear from RON MINIFE or anyone who served in TANGLIN MILITARY HOSPITAL, CHANGI up to the end of the conflict; he was in Tanglin Medical Stores and his No. was 7385604. Can anybody help? If so please write immediately to MR. R. NOKES, UNIT 2/37, CHURCH STREET, NEWCASTLE 2300, N.S.W., AUSTRALIA.
[underlined] MR. R.H. KEELING, 4, BUSHWALK DRIVE, NERANG, QUEENSLAND 4211, AUSTRALIA
[/underlined] would dearly like to hear from any members who served in the 29th C.M.T.D., R.A.S.C. Enquiry from Ed: would this be 2/29th?
CALLING [underlined] HARRY BLACKHAM [/underlined] of LEICESTER: Many thanks for the information you have sent me. I am ‘up to my neck in it’ as usual, but will writing a.s.a.p. Meantime, many, many thanks and hope all the family are well. Bill.
[underlined] To MARY BIRKETT, DEVON. [/underlined] Thanks for your letter and enclosures. FULCRUM No.28 will soon be winging its way to you. Strangely enough, I have heard from Mr. Robert Maxwell [underlined] personally [/underlined] and intend to take our issue up with him.
Friends – I am sorry for using space for personal messages but I only wish I could use Morse Code (which I don’t know). I write shorthand yes, but how many can read it?
[underlined] TALKING OF PERSONAL MESSAGES. [/underlined] If anyone would like to send Christmas Greetings to a mate etc through the FULCRUM please send a £1 which will go towards the Fighting Fund. Bill. Earlier the better as the last time we did it we were flooded out. Even rude messages are accepted.
[underlined] MR. ERNEST WARWICK, [/underlined] Author of TAMAJAO 241 and keen member of JLCSA has had a very rough time medically. He is also the owner of a devastating sense of humour and when asking if there was anything I could do for him he said “YES, TRY TO SELL THE REST OF MY BLOODY BOOKS FOR ME!” Spoken in jest, but Ernie does have some he would like to dispose of and if you know of anyone who hasn’t a copy or even if you would like to give one as a Christmas present, please contact Ernie per MR. ERNEST WARWICK, [underlined] 94, [/underlined] CLIFTON ROAD, ASHINGDON, ROCHFORD, ESSEX: Price £10.95p including postage. You have had a tough time mate and tricky operations of the neurosurgery kind are not to be considered lightly. You have done so well Ernie although confined to the wheelchair, but keep up that sense of humour and yes, we will do our best to dispose of the books knowing that you are unable to get about again. So there we are folks, if you know anyone who was not a FEPOW this book will shake them and at the same time fascinate them as well.
[underlined] REG DOWLING of WALTHAMSTOW [/underlined] diced with death smuggling superb drawings from Jap discovery. Reg, now 75, neatly folded up life-like drawings by artist Leo Rawlings and brought them safely back to England. He had traded a few bits and bobs he possessed for the pictures and put them under his belt until the Allies arrived and liberated the camp. Reg still has these priceless pictures and plans to give them to a museum.
SOME SPECIAL MAPS IN GREAT DETAIL WERE PRINTED COVING [sic] AREAS FROM RANGOON TO BANKOK. We have been sent two, for which we are grateful. One in great detail shows a position between 99° and 101° and Camps in Thailand or Siam of which little seems to be know. It is difficult to read but 1,000 men left NAKHON NAYA to march to SHAN STATES but only 780 made it to PITSANULOKE. This latter map over which I have poured for hours was sent to Ron Shayler but he cannot remember who by. Would our friend please contact me with details of this part of Siam right North of BANGKOK as although we know so much about the Camps up the Kwai and the Railway I have never heard of P.O.W activity in this particular area. What were you working on? Was it part of the Railway construction. Please let me know as I am fascinated and anxious to learn exactly what happened up there.
If any other lads were there, please drop me a line. Many thanks. BILL.
[underlined] STOP PRESS: [/underlined] Orders can now be taken for LADIES HEADSQUARES either in [underlined] WHITE [/underlined] or [underlined] ROYAL BLUE [/underlined] with GOLD SCORPION logo and J.L.C.S.A initials in EACH CORNER. 27” SQUARE. PRICE . . . £4 each. ALSO, 1990 DIARIES ARE AVAILABLE AT 35p EACH.
Collection
Citation
Southend FEPOW, “Follow us around Supplement,” IBCC Digital Archive, accessed October 8, 2026, https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/collections/document/55260.