Guestbook

I am researching my Great-Uncle William Edward SMITH NX45070 who was captured in Java, March 1942 and sent to the Burma-Thai Railway – possibly with A Force Januay 1943. William was killed whilst being held on the Japanese ship TAMAHOKO MARU which was torpedoed on 24th June 1944 off the coast of Nagasaki, Japan. I would like to find out where Uncle William was during the time of March 1942 until June 1944 and if/where he was on the Burma-Thai railway. Any information would be greatly appreciate. Wonderful site. Thankyou for this moving memorial to these endearing people.

I went on the 2005 QLT and had the time of my life. I got to meet amazing people and learnt so much about everything. It is something that I will never forget! One day I hope to be able to go again. (one day soon). To everyone who was on the 2005 trip I havn’t forgotten you and hope to get in touch soon. miss you all!!! EMAIL ME! Also thanks to all who organised the trip.

Hello All, what an excellent website. I am looking for any information about the 2/2nd Australian Pioneers who served in Syria, Java, on the Railway (1st forming) and New Guinea, Tarakan, Borneo, Balikpapan (2nd forming) so I can complete a website for the 2/2nd Pioneers Younger Generation Group (I am a member – more members are great). Every bit helps! Stories, photos, notes. In answer to a query, the Battalion history book can be purchased from the 2/2nd Pioneer Association in Melbourne. Emails welcome! Thanks, Cary

My high school headmaster at Highett High , F.E. Farmer , was a survivor of the Rakuyo Maru sinking .. He only once mentioned his harrowing experiences , during a morning assembly of the whole school. We students were too young and silly to appreciate just what he had gone through. Mike

I have just finished reading ‘The Burma Railway, Hellships & Coalmines’ Wow i found it hard to put this book down! It brought a tear to my eyes in many parts and embeded in my mind the hardships that these men suffered at the hands of the Japanese. It also reminds me of the harsh reality that material things mean very little and that true friendships, mateships mean’t the difference between life and death.

My maternal Grandfather McKINNON, EDWARD Signalman NX26294 30/06/1943 age 35 8th Div. Australian Corps of Signals Rests peacfully grave 10. F. 2-10. L. 4. KANCHANABURI WAR CEMETERY Edwards service record list beri beri as cause of death. Any information on Edward greatfully cherished. God Bless and thank you

Hi, to those interested i reccomend this pilgrimage to anybody. I was a part of the 2008 QLT as the FESA Junior and i would do it all again tommorrow if i could. The whole tour was extremely well organised and expertly done, i met some great new friends and even discovered some old ones. I would like to thank everybody for making me feel at home and a special thanks to Robert Tingely and Eric Wilson you guys have done a great job. But my most greatful thank you go’s out to the ex -POWs you are the best of the best and thank you so much. Regards Dwayne

Great site, great information. I can remember my father, Pte Garry Hooper, 2/2 Pioneer Btn, telling me about some of his experiences on the Burma Railway. Sadly he passed away in 1998 and, as I get older and my grand children arrive, I wish I knew more to pass on to the children. I have managed to piece together a rough outline of his service through his stories and reading various books and sites like this. I know there is a book about the 2/2 Pioneers…can anyone tell me where I can get a copy?

I am a teacher at the ESHS and was lucky enough to accompany the 10 students from our school this year. As a born South African who spend my last 8 years in UK I was not emotionaly or mentally prepared for what was installed for me! I was looking forward to learn more about Thailand and to hear the war stories from the people who have been there. My family and I got aquinted with Ernie Redman through out our fundraising events during December 2007, I was looking forward in accompanying him and relive a part of history. However – it became a personal journey for me … I only came to realise that every single person in this generation has a link to WWI and WWII – my own grandfather was an POW in Italy after he fought under the British flag in Egypt. My husband’s grandfather was a POW in Java – comming on this tour gave me personal growth in realising that all these people, soldiers, mothers, wifes, sisters, uncles or children had paid a price. I came to realise that it was worth it for each one of them as they truely loved their countries and believed in what they were doing. Most of all I went as an oursider but came back an AUSTRALIAN – and I am proud of it! Thank you very much to the tour opperator Eric for a most interesting, funfilled tour. Thank you very much to the chairman Roger and his team for making history part of my story. However I am the most greatful to our exPOWs, Bill, Snow, Ernie, Wallie and Neil for sharing their emotional momories with us! You guys are GREAT and we will ALWAYS be thankful!

I have learned a lot on this tour – the greatest lesson of all was the one about Mateship. Neil’s poem at the reef laying service was very dear to me but became truely meaningful when after the serice Snow was doing the rounds and visited all his mates who died, saluted them and made a toast to each one of them. I hope that I will also one day be just as priveledge to have great mates. Another picture comes to mind when Bill was telling a story of Toby at the cutting and with tears in his eyes he had to stop as he became so overwhelmed. Ernie’s mate Toby meant a lot to all! Thank you for sharing with us – we are very priveledge!