No.
214 (Federated Malay States) Squadron
Royal Air Force
DIARY
Most
POW's kept a diary of their time while imprisioned. These little books, most
handed out by the red cross, would become for many POW's all they had to show
for the best years of their youth. Every book is unique and is now a priceless
artifact of history. Not just about life in a POW camp, Each has it's own story
of comradeship, adventure and deep personal insight which allows us "in
the smallest way" to share each authors experience. Not one can be read
without learning something, and not one can be read without being deeply moved.
Excerpt
from the diary of Flight Lieutenant Marshall Johnson
Written
by a friend in Marsh's diary, I selected this short letter because it gives
the reader a tiny glimpse into the character of the man to whom this site is
dedicated. KC.
3rd April,
1945
Well,
Bud, I'm rather at a loss what to put in your log book, so being neither an
artist nor a poet I shall attempt, to the best of my ability, to write a portrait
of yourself as I have found you.
It is
almost three years now since I made your aquaintenance; that was at Sagan. Since
then we have been in close contact with each other and I'm sure, with time,
we have developed a better friendship and understanding. We have many things
in common, so perhaps this is why we got on so well together.
In prison
life many are inclined to become indolent and tight-fisted, resulting in uncleanliness.
However, I can truthfully say you have always combated these vices, under trying
conditions, and have led a clean, generous and hard-working "kriege"
life.
I'll "wrap-up",
as they say in kriegiedom to say that if there were more like you in this world
it would be a pleasanter place to live in.
All the
best "Bud", to a happy future.
( "Foo"
) Allan C Fotheringham.
To Sgt
- Airgunner Johnson M.A
Can Prisoner
of War No# 39260
M Stammlager
Luft 3
Deutschland,
Germany
St
Thomas, Ontario,
V-E
Day
May
8th, 1945
Dear Sir,
On behalf of the people of Elgin County, we wish to extend
to you personally our congratulations on your glorious victory over the enemy
in Europe and also to express our appreciation of the supreme effort and many
sacrifices made by you which made this vistory possible.
Our thoughts
are always with you. Our best wishes and may Elgin County have the honour
of welcoming you home soon.
Yours sincerely
Leader,
Ontario Liberal Party,
Candidate
Provincial Election
Gordon
Newell
Candidate Federal Election
The
Diary of an Allied Advanced Guard. Not Defeated, Just Waiting
Click
on the following link to read The
Diary of an Allied Advanced Guard. Not Defeated, Just Waiting.
This diary
records FS Harry Whatton's time as a Prisoner of War from June 1944 until
his liberation in May 1945. It also includes his time during the 'TheLong
March' of January to February 1945. Harry clearly had a fixation for liberation
and dwells much on the shortage of food. Perhaps an honest reflection of the
monotony of PoW camp life.
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