Sweetheart Pin - Smithie Philip, No 953418 - 5th - Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Regiment

[Christopher Ailsby]

Sweetheart Pin - Smithie Philip, No 953418 - 5th - Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Regiment - this was given to his sister Eva Smithee, (Ailsby) she wore it with another, to keep her brother safe while on active service. He was captured at Singapore and then transported to Taiwan. Here he suffered unimaginable privation. He was liberated by the "Yanks" just as he and others were going to be entombed alive in a mine shaft. The Japs were going to blow the entrance,

[The Devil's Bank]

One lucky chap, I wonder how POW's were actually killed this way by the Japanese?

[Tailgunnerdownunder]

Yes indeed the Japanese planned to execute all POW’s anywhere if it looked like they were about to be liberated by Allied forces.

Regards Mark.

[Tailgunnerdownunder]

Thank you Christopher for sharing your precious family history with us here on the forum.

Regards Mark.

[Christopher Ailsby]

Dear Mark, thank you. These facts are importance to show the VERY LITTLE bits of military history. The JP POW's are a forgotten "People" . Compared to the "Holocaust" these "Boys" would have gone to the German camps with relief . But dose the history, media, explain their suffering?

However I have many more stories to tell, Just hope my "Forum Club " members do not get "Fed Up" with me. Remember WAF I am that Horrible Dishonest Person. SO BE VERY CAREFUL with the "Old Phart" and his remembrances.

[fischer]

Enjoyed reading and seeing the items, etc. Thanks for sharing this Christopher! :thumbsup: