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Far East
Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders
2nd Battalion
&
Plymouth Argylls
History
Compiled by Ron Taylor
With help from:- ‘Moon Over Malaya’
by Jonathan Moffatt and Audrey Holmes McCormick
Andrew Snow, Thailand Burma Railway Centre
Liberation
15th August 1945 - 1st January 1947
During June 1945 the Japanese could see the writing on the wall. All base camps were improved and generally smartened up. Working conditions were much easier and food moderately good, but the Japanese Guards were very jittery. Concerts were censored, no talking other than announcing the entertainers being permitted. Gatherings of five or over were forbidden other than at concerts and religious services. Sports could not be played, as the sports ground was now outside the camp perimeter.
It is interesting to note that during December 1944 and January 1945 all camps were surrounded by deep moats (without water) with sentry boxes at strategic points. These ditches, constructed by PoW labour, were about 12 feet deep, and 10 feet wide, with strong bamboo fences running along both sides. The PoWs had a deep feeling that the ditches would be their graves, as the Japanese, if confronted with an enemy, would not allow the PoWs at their rear in a battle.
As July ended, rumours from our concealed radios of a truce spread through the camps, the Russians were said to be also entering the war against Japan. Then, came the news in August they had waited for, they were free, exactly three and a half years since being captured.
One can imagine the reactions on hearing this news, and there was no restraint, British, American, Australian and Dutch flags were brought out in the Camps, and National Anthems were sung and cheering did not stop.
Next day was again back to normal camp duties, but the PoWs received long awaited food parcels, and control of the stores was taken over, with clothing being handed out. Waiting for liberation troops to arrive, the work parties ceased. With home on their minds the atmosphere in the camps became very emotional, as the thought of again being with their loved ones, became real.
Within few days air parcels began to be dropped, administrative officers and other ranks, equipped with radio receivers and transmitters were sent into all camps, and preparations for the evacuation of PoWs began. The Thailand PoWs were moved to Bangkok, where the Thai population welcomed them with open arms, and in early September Bomber Transport Command started ferrying them to Rangoon. After a few days of being equipped, the first parties left by sea for home.
Below is the Adabiya Leaflet with Map of Amenities, Swimming Beach, Restaurant with Refreshments, Cinema, Clothing Depot and Clothing Shed. The other six pages indicate how the Adabiya centre works.
Small amounts of money were distributed for the stops on the way home at Colombo, Suez, and at the ports in England. The Red Cross organisation must be praised for their outstanding efforts in bringing a much needed light back into the FEPOWs lives.
Similar arrangements were made for parties proceeding home from Singapore and Japan. The parties from Japan had a longer voyage home, travelled via Manila to Vancouver, then entrained across Canada, to the boats waiting to bring them home.
Within 24 hours of landing in England, everyone had proceeded on leave to then homes, a credit indeed to the organisation set up to receive us and look after their welfare.
Death Roll
After Liberation and Repatriation
Please click on the  next to each date below for further information
The Plymouth Argylls Service/No. begins ‘PLY’
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Date
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Name
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Service/No
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1945/09/08
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Skeldon, Andrew
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3055059
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1945/10/15
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Green, Edward George
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4450370
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1946/03/05
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White, Nicholas
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3247025
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