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| Roger unveils memorial to far
east prisoners of war |
A TRIBUTE to the British soldiers and civilians who died or survived
appalling abuse in Japanese prisoner of war camps during World War
II was unveiled on Sunday in Bloomsbury.
An oak tree was stalled with a plaque at Brunswick Square thanks
to a donation from Somers Town councillor Roger Robinson, a day
before the Japanese prime minister apologised for Japan’s conduct
during the war.
Speaking after a ceremony lead by Father Rob Wickham, attended by
veteran’s groups and Mayor Barbara Hughes, Cllr Robinson said:
“Sixty years after the end of the war, we must no allow the
sacrifice these men made to be forgotten, although I must say it
does seem to be in danger of being forgotten.”
Referring to Stanley Warren, a Somers Town soldier who taught art
at Sir William Collins School after surviving a prisoner of war
camp in Singapore, where he painted murals that survive to this
day, he added: “It has taken us a long time to get this far,
but eventually we will have a more permanent memorial.”
Donations from the Camden New Journal and its readers to a memorial
fund total several thousand pounds but efforts to install a statue
ran into opposition from Bloomsbury residents.
The aim is now to install a statue near Mornington Crescent.
Pictured (l-r): Cllr Roger robinson, Alfred Raynor, Mayor Barbara
Hughes, Ron Bridge, Ted Roberts (of Normandy Vets Assoc), Fr Rob
Wickham of St Mary’s Church in Eversholt Street, and Joyce
Caddell. |
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