Evening, my great Grandad was a prisoner of war and died in 1943 and his grave is in Yokohama British Commonwealth Cemetary in Japan. His name was William Ernest Lambourne and he was 37. We have managed to find a picture of his grave, does anyone else have any links or pictures or somewhere I might find out a bit more about him for my Nan. Thank you Emma
Hi Emma Please find your great Grandad's POW card attached. I also found him on the Oxford City roll of honour (http://news.ofhs.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/ocrh2-037.jpg). It looks like he died at Fukuoka POW Camp in Japan. He was most probably captured in Singapore with other members of the 35 Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment and may have spent time in Thailand before being shipped to Japan. I would recommend you contact the Thai-Burma Railway Museum in Thailand who hold records of all POWs in Japanese hands and who are happy to help family members looking for information.
Hi Emma, Your great grandfather appears on the Cofepow database, here: Record Details This shows his date of capture as, 8th March 1942. According to documents on the CWGC website he was originally buried at the British Mausoleum in Yokohama.
Hi Emma If you do find out any more information please let me know. I am researching Oxfordshire men and women who died during the war, so this is very interesting for me. More information on your great grandad's regiment here - 35TH LAA Regiment - Royal Artillery | COFEPOW.
Thanks for this, can’t believe how much stuff you have all found so quickly! Where is the British Mausoleum in relation to where he is now in Yokohama War Cemetary? What’s likely to have happened in those 3 years between dying and being buried and why would he have been re buried? Thanks, very overwhelmed with the responses!
Also where is the part about he was captured 8th March, I couldn’t see that bit. Many thanks and happy to share any information I find
Hi Emma, I'm not sure about the location of the Mausoleum I'm afraid. Obviously, William was originally buried whilst still in Japanese hands and was buried at the nearest suitable location in the first instance. My grandfather died inside Rangoon Jail in June 1943 and was buried in the English Cantonment Cemetery on the outskirts of the city originally. This burial was conducted by one of his senior officers held in the jail, with more of his comrades present, but under the watchful eyes of the Japanese guards. Later, after the war was over and the Allied Forces had taken control of the area, Rangoon War Cemetery was constructed, and eventually in mid-1946, all burials from the Cantonment Cemetery were re-located here. I would imagine that something similar happened to William and the other casualties at Yokohama. Best wishes Steve
Thank you for explaining. I will tell my Nan and show her everything you have linked me. She is almost 83 and was 8 when he died so all these bits of information are really useful
I don’t suppose anyone would be able to point me in the direction of any photos that may exist of his regiment to see if I can find any of him?
Hi Emma, Careful, your great grandad was nowhere near the Thailand-Burma Railway. He was a gunner in 89 Battery 35 Regt LAA. Captured Java 8 March 42. Moved to Japan Oct arriving end Nov 42. Died Fukuoka 7B (Ube) Camp 8 Jul 43 of Beri Beri. Bit late tonight - I'll post more info tomorrow. Tim
Thanks, my Nan said today she thought it was beri beri. Speak tomorrow. It’s amazing how you can find all this out!
The place of capture is definitely the Japanese for Java. Mike The POW Card is held at the National Archives at Kew