National NEWSLETTER - Web Edition

March 2007

 Page 3
 

Phil Doddridge - President HKVAHKVA President Report – Phil Doddridge

Greetings to all, and best wishes for good health, good fortune and happiness in all of 2007.

As for myself, I am overwhelmed by the messages and greetings from friends in Canada and overseas. They make the days much brighter.

I thank fortune that my eyesight is fairly good, enabling me to read almost everything that comes my way. Lately I have read a few books on the subject of the Battle of Hong Kong.

One that is of special interest to me is “Deadly December”, written by Ron Parker. Ron is the son of Major Maurice Parker, who was my Company Commander, and for whom I acted as company clerk.

“Deadly December” is now listed on the HKVCA web site as suggested reading. I recommend it as a different look at the Battle from the perspective of a Hong Kong Veteran’s son.

A new book (new to me, at least) is   titled, “The Battle for Hong Kong”, subtitled “Hostage to Fortune”, by Oliver Lindsay, in collaboration with John R. Harris, who was a British officer imprisoned at Argyle Street and Sham Shui Po Camps. The story of the spy ring that operated in the camps and the execution of five of the officers who were involved, is told in graphic detail.

I have also received  “Roses in December”, a book by David  Stanford. His book, like that by  Michael Palmer, “The Dark Side of  the Sun”, depicts the prison camp experiences of  his grandfather, a member of the Royal Scots Regiment who was lost in the sinking of the Lisbon Maru. 

I am reading again Ted Ferguson’s book, “Desperate Siege”, and getting more from it than I did when I read it 25 years ago.

I also appreciated Tom Marsh’s story, which now appears on HKVCA website. His detailed description of conditions at North Point and Sham Shui Po awoke the memories of those hellholes that I had fortunately been able to put in the back of my mind. My sanity survived because of that. Tom’s story is now a website also, and is recommended reading.

I also have to mention the splendid book, “Passing the Torch” by Nancy and Mike Strahl. Their efforts and those of their fellow teachers and students on our behalf deserve our undying thanks. 

I recommend all of these books to those who have not already read them. As for myself, I get more understanding of the whys and wherefores out of reading them, and the memories that they invoke, although sometimes unpleasant, take me back over the years.

  COFEPOW

I have been a member of  “Children and Families of the Far East Prisoners of War” for a number of years. They publish a newsletter four times a year. They have a huge membership from many parts of the world.

 The Chairman (yes, chairman) is Carol Cooper, and her husband, Ron, is the treasurer.  One of their main projects was the building of  the Fepow Memorial Building.

Carol says, “The ground floor area …….. depicts the harrowing story and endurance of the Fepows during their 3 and a half years in captivity.”  “The much bigger story, the more detailed information of their lives will be recorded in the upper section.”    “We currently project onto a blank wall, the names of all British military personnel sent out to the Far East.” End of quotes.

Another of their projects is the restoration of a symbolic part of the Thailand/Burma Railway, using parts of the actual railway including some of the rails that were brought all the way from the Far East. Ambitious projects to be sure, but an indication of the dedication and enthusiasm of the members.

The COFEPOW address is 20 Burgh Road, Gorleston, Gt. Yarmouth, Norfolk, NR31 8BE , UK

Website, www.cofepow.org.uk

E-mail: Carol.Cooper@cofepow.org.uk

I know that “our” Carol, and others of the HKVCA are in contact with the COFEPOW, and I believe that newsletters are exchanged, but for other of our members, the above report may be of interest.

That will be all for this time. Be good to each other, and may God Bless.

Philip