BARKER, Henry
Prisoners-of-War (POWs),
Accession Number 002612
- Oral History Centre
Source
- 3
Total Reels
- Moey Kok Keong
Interviewer
- 01:11:01
Total Running Time
- English
Language
Copyright Notice
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Reel/Disc 1 of 3
Metadata
- 17 Feb 2002
Recording Date
- 00:30:24
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
*Born in 1920 in Queensland, Australia. Sent to Singapore in 1941. Belonged to 19th battery, 2/10 Field Regiment (Artillery) which was established in Mersing, Malaysia. Withdrew into Singapore. Recalled the battle with the Japanese before Singapore fell. Condition and mood of Australian soldiers. How he felt on the news of Singapore's surrender. Marched to Selarang Barracks Treatment from Japanese soldiers. Life in Selerang. Buried the Chinese executed by the Japanese on Changi Beach. Food supply in Selarang. Part of "A" force that was sent to Tavor, Burma by ship in 1942. Signed the "No Escape" pledge in Selarang.
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Reel/Disc 2 of 3
Metadata
- 17 Feb 2002
Recording Date
- 00:30:37
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
*1st batch of the "A" force that went to Tavor, Burma. Promises made by the Japanese. Sent to Thanbyuzayat, Burma where the "Death Railway" begun. How he knew Allied planes were aware of their location. Work in Tavor. Work on the "Death Railway". They moved camps southwards. Sabotages in the construction of the railways. Living conditions deteriorated as they moved southwards into Thailand. Buried prisoners-of-war (POWs) who were executed for trying to escape. Size and changes in his workforce. Food supply. Illnesses. Sabotage activities. Liberated at Kanchanaburi, Thailand in Aug 1945. How he felt on the news of the Japanese surrender.
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Reel/Disc 3 of 3
Metadata
- 17 Feb 2002
Recording Date
- 00:10:00
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
*Supplies airdropped to them upon liberation. Went to Bangkok after liberation. Changes to the scenery along the "Death Railway". Sent to Singapore from Bangkok, subsequently returned to Australia. What kept him going during days as a prisoner-of-war (POW). Selfish acts by fellow POWs.
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