Sketch by Jack Chalker

Hell-Ship

by

A.G. (George) James

Born in Knightsbridge, London in 1915, like so many of his generation, the Second World War proved to be a traumatic and defining period in George James’s life. Within 24 of war being declared, he had joined the Royal Artillery. He was soon commissioned and became a troop commander and was twice mentioned in dispatches for gallantry and distinguished conduct. In 1941, he was taken prisoner by the Japanese, survived a horrific sea voyage to Japan where he was held in the POW camp called Hiroshima 17 for nearly 4 years - learning Japanese in the process. The dropping of the Atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, both of which were visible from George’s prison camp, undoubtedly saved his life as the prisoners had already been ordered to dig their own graves. His mother was told in 1941 that her son was missing presumed dead. This was tragic news because she had lost her husband, George’s father, also in the Royal Artillery at Ypres in 1917. She had no further news of George until 3 months after the end of the war in December 1945 when he was already almost back in England on a hospital ship.

George’s account of the sea journey to Japan  in 1946 was written in manuscript form and told to Graham Fisher.

 It has been kindly supplied by his son Steve for the Fepow Community pages.

 Hell-Ship - by A.G. James

 Roll of Singapore Maru Deaths and Illness

 Prologue

1915

George was born at Knightsbridge, London

1942

22nd October - Yoshida Maru left Batavia, Java with 1000 men

26th October - Yoshida Maru arrived Singapore

30th October - Singapore Maru left Singapore with 1100 men

25th November - Singapore Maru arrived Takao/Moji, Japan

1950

Headmaster of Hunstanton Primary School

1955

Moved to Gorleston, Norfolk as Headmaster of Herman Junior School

1970

Became Headmaster of Cliff Park Junior School

1977

Retired

1992

George and wife visited Singapore

2003

13th November - George died

May George rest in peace

Sharing information with others is rewarding in itself, the pieces from the jigsaw begin to fit together and a picture begins to appear. Improve your knowledge and help make the Fepow Story an everlasting memorial to their memory.

Any material  to add to the Fepow Story please send to:

Ron.Taylor@fepow-community.org.uk

and their story will live on.

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