My grandfather was a Lt Commander on HMS Exeter when it was sunk and, as a family, we have recently discovered an incredibly personal and detailed diary that he secretly kept while he was a Japanese prisoner of war. It was actually written in a Dutch medical notebook, which I can only assume he nicked from the captured Dutch hospital ship named 'Op-Ten Noort' that he was transported in the first few days of his capture. If anyone can point me in the right direction for some more research about the journey of the H.M.S Exeter POWs that would be great. He vaguely mentions that he was transferred to many camps but he doesn't name them and eventually runs out of space in the notebook a year or so into his capture. He didn't really talk about his years as a POW (understandably) so we have very little information on his story in these years but I know it would mean a lot to his remaining children if I were able to find out more. If anyone has any info on anything to do with H.M.S Exeter and her prisoners of war, please do let me know.
Welcome to the forum. Very exciting to find a new diary. You might find these documents of interest. I hesitate to say more because a member on here called Tim has RN connections and will have more insight - I have contacted him to note your interests. You may be connected to one of the two gentlemen below. The second document comes from the archives of the International Criminal Court, the remainder are front pages only of documents at the National Archives at Kew. ( You will soon be overwhelmed with information.) Good hunting. John Cooper, George Tyndale https://www.legal-tools.org/doc/a4767b/pdf Chubb, David William Early Chubb, David William Early statement page 1
Hello ch$4bb, I am assuming , from the namebox, that your surname is Chubb and it is entirely relevant that Timuk has requested further clarification of your grandfather's name. The reason for statement is that there were two officers with the last name Chubb in Ship's Company of HMS Exeter when she was sunk in the Java Sea on March 1st 1942. They were: 1. Lt David William Early Chubb -- referenced above by Papiermache. As indicated on two of his links, this officer was promoted to Lt Cdr in September 1945, after his recovery from incarceration at Macassar. 2. Lt Cdr Edwin Joseph Chubb Once the name is clarified I can give you a relevant answer to your PoW query. In case you are 'not a Chubb' be aware that there were 6 officers in HMS Exeter in the rank of Lt Cdr when she succumbed to the overpowering gunnery of four IJN cruisers. One was kia in the engagement and the other 5, who became PoWs were Lt Cdrs Navigation/ Torpedo/ Gunnery/ Surgeon and the Executive Officer ('the Jimmy') - George Cooper. Per Timuk's request, please clarify the name of your grandfather. Kind regards Rattler
