The Duke of Edinburgh

PRINCE Philip was delighted in 2012 when a long wait to erect a memorial to those who were held – and in many cases died – in prisoner of war camps had finally come to fruition in Camden Town.

The Duke of Edinburgh, who died aged 99 on Friday, had taken a special interest in the campaign to make sure that the “sacrifices of so many soldiers” were not forgotten.

His encouragement had been important to Second World War veterans after the New Journal opened up a fundraising appeal, but then ran into difficulties with planning rules. While there had been many war memorials around the UK over the decades, hardly any recognised those that suffered in the camps in the Far East in tortuous conditions.

Eventually, a prime spot in Mornington Crescent was found and services are held every year on Remembrance Sunday. When it was finally unveiled in 2012, Prince Philip said: “I am very pleased to know that a memorial to all those who served in the Far East, and particularly to those who were imprisoned, is being erected in Camden – paid for by generous public subscription and endorsement of the Camden New Journal.

“It will remind future generations of the gallantry, suffering and sacrifices of so many soldiers, sailors and airman from all over the Commonwealth who fought against the Japanese aggressors.”

Thousands of prisoners were ordered to work on building the Burma Railway – the memorial has wooden sleepers to recognise this – but many died of starvation.

It was unveiled by Viscount John Slim, who died in 2019. His father, the first Viscount Slim, commanded the 14th Army in the region.

Prince Philip had added: “They were a long way from home and lived and fought in very difficult conditions. Their reward has been absence of serious conflict in the area ever since. I express my gratitude to all of you who have helped guard the memory and show reverence towards the memorial.”

The memorial is unveiled in 2012

The Duke – the longest serving royal consort in UK due to his 73-year marriage to the Queen – had himself served in the Royal Navy during the war and was commended for spotting an enemy vessel in the Battle of Cape Matapan, as the Allies fought the Italians in Greece in 1941.

His funeral is due to take place at St George’s Chapel, Windsor, on Saturday. Councillors are due to mark his passing at next week’s full council meeting.

Camden mayor Cllr Maryam Eslamdoust said the council was “deeply saddened”, adding: “Our condolences are with Her Majesty the Queen and the rest of the royal family. The Duke visited Camden on several occasions during his many years of royal service, more recently when he visited the British Museum and in 2012 when he attended the opening of the Royal Manuscripts exhibition at the British Library.”

She added: “As a mark of respect, we will be flying the Union Flag at half-mast from today until the Duke’s funeral.” l The Duke of Edinburgh was once the name of a pub in Drummond Street, Euston, but it closed many years ago and is now a convenience store.

Dear Mr Harrington…

ON the face of it, their lives may have seemed worlds apart: Prince Philip was the dutiful consort on royal visits, while the rebellious Illtyd Harrington spent the 1980s knee-deep in political battles, including a crusade to establish the Freedom Pass for pensioners.

But away from the cameras, the two men conducted a sort of pen-pal relationship from the 1970s onwards, regularly sharing sharp witticisms and general cheer across a series of correspondence.

Illtyd Harrington

When Illtyd, a former councillor in Westminster and the chair of the old Greater London Council, died in 2015, the Duke of Edinburgh sent a special letter of condolences that was read out at the funeral in Brighton.

Illtyd spent many years as the New Journal’s literary editor, while in his later years wrote the As I Please column in which he reflected on some of the political game-playing and hypocrisy he had witnessed over the years. Both men shared an impish sense of humour.

Thanking him for a birthday card in 2010, Prince Philip wrote: “It seems to come round a bit quicker every year.”

On other occasions, the tone was more serious and there were letters about the Duke’s concerns for environmental issues.

The father-of-four wrote: “It’s strange that so many people cannot see the connection between the problems of this world and its constantly growing human population.”