At the end of a hot and humid day in Melbourn, we held a service to commemorate the 80th anniversary of Victory in Japan. The weather set the scene as we focussed on those who had fought in and been taken prisoner or died in the Far East.
The readings (for 15 August) were Romans 8:31-39 and John 15:12-17, read by Mrs Val Barrett and Mrs Pauline Penfold. An address was given by Sir David Wright, GCMG LVO, who was the British Ambassador to Japan for the period 1996-1999. Sir David talked about the building of relationships between the two countries that have been developed since the war and of the need for both peace and economic growth. Prior to that, the Rev'd Andrew, who is an honorary member of the Java FEPOW (Far East Prisoners of War) Club 1942, shared how important it is to ensure that these stories are still told - of those who were out in the Far East who died, and survived, so that they are remembered.
Dr David Jenning read “What is a FEPOW” - (see below) - along with the FEPOW prayer.
An Act of Remembrance took place with local people being remembered, and after the Reveille, the Kohima Epitaph was said. We were joined by families whose relatives had served in the Far East for a very measured and respectful service. We remembered some that despite being taken prisoner survived and came back home, unlike many who didn’t. There was a retiring collection taken for FEPOW and we thank everyone who made a contribution to this collection and to the service.
Afterwards there were refreshments on the grassed area outside of the back of the church where there was an opportunity to chat, and I was honoured to talk to some people whose father did return home. We will remember this service - (thank you to Rev'd Andrew for compiling and arranging this service) - as an event with moments of emotion, respect, gratitude and prayer for continued peace, as we look about with horror at events in our world today.
Pat Smith
LLM in Melbourn and Meldreth
What is a FEPOW?
by Queen Spink (1992)
What is a FEPOW? A FEPOW is one
Who fought a great battle, without sword or gun,
Who suffered starvation, torture, disease,
When captured by the Japanese.
Stripped of his dignity, degraded, and hit,
the FEPOW fought back with courage and grit.
No longer a fight for King and Country
But a fight for survival in captivity.
Herded like cattle, worked the day long,
Hid body grew weak but his spirit was strong
Determined to win the fight to survive,
To outwit the Japs and to stay alive.
Some couldn’t make it; laid to rest there,
No flowers, no parades, just a tear and a prayer.
Never forgotten, remembered still
By their comrades who buried them there on the hill.
So - what is a FEPOW? A FEPOW is one
Unique among men, a hero unsung.
A FEPOW Prayer
And we that are left grow old with the years
Remembering the heartache, the pain and the tears
Hoping and praying that never again
Man will sink to such sorrow and shame.
Every day, every month, not just in November
We will remember them.