Kaorin Camp by Hoen Ernst 1945/08/21

‘We Will Remember Them’

Kaorin PoW Camp

Copyright David Howlett

This was a Commission by David Howlett  for a watercolour based on a pen and ink sketch drawn of the Kaorin Prisoner of War Camp in Thailand during the Second World War.

Several sketches were hastily made by a Japanese P.O.W. onto handkerchiefs that were part of an aid drop made prior to their liberation. The handkerchiefs were given to some of the PoW's to serve as a reminder of their time there.

This is a photo of the site as taken by Martyn Fryer in 2017, and with the help of his daughter Elle super imposed the sketch by Hoen Ernst (1945/08/21) on it. Distinctly showing the hills in the background as on the hankies. Thanks Martyn and Elle.

Hankie 1 (from Lady in Warminster)

The handkerchief  above was made by Arthur.S. Newcombe of KAORIN POW camp dated 1945. Below are close ups:-

A big thank you to the lady from Warminster and to Keith Rattray of the Royal British Legion.

 These are the names on the handkerchief.

• Arthur Sydney Newcombe (author of hanky) L/Bdr 944700, ovl 30/10/42
• Arthur B. Clark - USA
• Bill J. Mallard - USA
• John C. Hensley - USA
• D. W. Egeleston - USN
• R. J. Purdy WOII - Sydney
• Wade H. Webb - USA
• Jack Cellumm - USA
• "Buck " Jones - US Army
• John L. Smith - RCOS
• F. D. Devonport - 135. 7. PRA
• James Collier - Sergeant 2568216 RCOS
• C. L. Pryor Jnr - USMC
• D. L. Lacey - 122 RA
• "Paddy " C. Docherty - RCOS
• Taffy Blackwell - 29 CMTD RASC
• S. Silk - RASC
• Thomas Clark Davies - Private 5950609, 5th Btn Beds & Herts,
• George Marshal - RA
• R.J. Potter - 1/5 Foresters
• R. Fannon - RAOC
• R.F. Salsbury - 1/5 Foresters
• R.L. Cundell - 2nd Cambs
• R.C. Hammerton - 2nd Cambs
• D.E. Curtis - 2nd Cambs
• J.W. Lee - USA
• K.A. Fowdington - 122 Field Regt RA
• A.T. Jury - 118 RA
• D.R. Clark - USN

As there are Americans listed, their names most likely were added to Newcombe’s handkerchief when the camp was liberated in August 1945

Also:-

This meant liberation and hope for those who survived, the fallen were never to be forgotten in the memories of those who survived.

Hankie 2 (from Gemma)

A big coincidence on writing a school project Gemma Glover used a photo of a hankie her grandfather Arthur Barker brought back from the Kaorin Camp. She shared her photo with the FEPOW Family Facebook group in 2017. Gemma has given me permission to use her photo on this page.

These are the names on the handkerchief.

Beckitt, Royal Artillery, 61st Field

Arthur William Bigg, Signalman, 2587078, R.C.O.S, att, 148 Field Regiment, born 1921/02/15

Selwyn Charles Blatherwick, Signalman, 2345861, R.C.O.S, Malaya Command Signals, born 1916/03/06

Norman Herbert Thomas Bowles, Lance Corporal, T/116 9675, R.A.S.C., born 1917/11/01

George Cutts, Gunner, 1103947, Royal Artillery, 48 Field Regiment, born 1914/04/04

Walter Charles Henry Ellis, Signalman, 2347161, R.C.O.S. att, 35 LAA R.A., born 1919/03/30

Leslie Elms, Bombardier (Artillery Clerk), 842428,  Royal Artillery, born 1916/12/09

George Foster - Gunner, 1605134, Royal Artillery, 30/3 Heavy Anti-Aircarft Regiment, born 1911/04/15

Thomas Henry Grace, T/168527, Driver, R.A.S.C, 54th Brigade, born 1917/05/15

George Henry Hawkwood, Bombardier, 923529, Royal Artillery, 135 Field Regiment, born 1920/05/25

J Higgins, Royal Artillery, 135 Field

D.H. Moore

S. Morris, Royal Air Force

William Page, Sergeant, 5774935, Royal Norfolk Regiment, 6th Battalion, enlisted 1939/05/19

Leslie Ronald Pearson - Private, 4976727, 1/5 Sherwood Forester, born 1919/10/03

Ronald John Potter, Private, 4977892, 1/5 Sherwood Forester, born 1912/08/14

Raymond Frederick Salsbury, Sergeant, 4978030, 1/5 Sherwood Forester, born 1918/06/04

Ronald Mark Turner, Sapper, 2074366, Royal Engineer, 288 Field, born 1921/06/06

Hankie 3 (from Debbie Edwards)

Debbie Edwards has supplied another photo of a hankie from her Great Gramps as seen below

List of Names:-

Albert Leonard Louis, Sergeant, 148693, R.A.O.C (Expeditionary Forces Institute, born 1913/04/08

Medler, Royal Artillery

W. Newman (Hunky),

(Supplied by Ken Hewitt)

These things shall be! A loftier race

Than e’re the world hath known shall rise

With flame of freedom in their souls

And light of knowledge in their eyes

H Thorpe - Padre

Saratoga NSW

Australia 1945/08/22

Keeping The Candle Burning

In Memory of FEPOW Family Loved Ones

Who Suffered in the Far East

Thanks for all the support

Designed by Ronnie Taylor

Ronnie.Taylor@fepow.family

© Copyright FEPOW Family