Part Three

When we arrived back in England we were de-briefed, along with prisoners from other theatres of war. Our interviews were noticeably short, whereas it was noted that prisoners freed by the Russians were interviewed at length, being asked how they had been treated. It seemed to us that more trouble was expected with the Russians. Eventually this became a long-term Cold War.

During the interview I was asked if I wished to claim compensation for any personal items taken by the Japanese. There were three presents I had received in England five or more years ago — a signet ring, a good fountain pen and a cigarette case. I claimed ten pounds to replace these items and later received five pounds, which they said was the limit unless I could produce receipts. Did this mean receipts from the Japanese captors or the original receipts from over five years ago?

I was the first ex-Jap POW home in York, about three weeks before Tom. We eventually met up in York after repatriation. Walking out one day we passed a restaurant where a notice was displayed regarding a meeting being held at that time of relatives of Jap POWs. We decided to attend in case we could help with information which may have relieved their worries.

We approached the organiser of the meeting who asked us if we would give a talk on the platform. We declined because we were both still nervous and uncomfortable in the presence of large groups. We suggested that we sat at the back of the hall and if anyone wanted to talk to us they could do so there. One mother came with her daughter and we discussed her son. We tempered the truth a little to save their feelings. A week or two later we went into a pub in York and the daughter was having a quiet drink with her brother. He was certainly not a skinny little chap as we had been, obviously built up in India before returning home. He was, however, dead within weeks, possibly unable to re-adjust.

The battalion's paymaster was housed in the Rowntree's chocolate factory in York. Tom and I went there to collect some pay. My name was requested which I gave as Troughton, Corporal. They informed me that they only had a Private Troughton listed and that I had been demoted according to the rules after six weeks back in England having been a prisoner of war!

During the three years or so of captivity I received no pay. This accumulated over the period and eventually after release I was paid out. The tax man stepped in and, though I would not have paid any tax had I been paid at the proper time, tax was deducted for the whole period, hardly a thank you for serving the country. Having enquired about this all I was told was that it was lucky I was married or I would have paid a lot more.

Four of us who had been prisoners met fairly regularly to have a quiet drink. On one occasion we went into the lounge bar of a pub where the only other person was a little old lady drinking a half of Guinness. We sat down chatting for a while and eventually the subject turned to life in the jail. At this point the lady got up hurriedly having supped her drink and we said "What's that about?" Afterwards it dawned on us why she had left in such a hurry. She had obviously taken us for criminals out from prison.

There was a shortage of beer as well as everything else. As a consequence pubs were opening for a short time and then closing. We would have to go off to find another pub with different hours. We caught on eventually and each of the four of us would order four pints so we had sixteen pints of beer on the table! Very early on I walked into a pub, ordered a pint and twenty cigarettes for which I tendered 2/6d and waited for the change. I got a surprise when I was asked for more cash; both of these items had gone up considerably during my imprisonment.

We would go for a pint of beer in York, spend a couple of hours in the pub then go out to the fish and chip shop, have a meal then go back to the pub for more drink. Later we would go home for supper! We did not seem to be able to satisfy our appetites. In later years I saw this happening again with the displaced persons who came to this country after being forced to work for the Germans.

The four of us attended a function at the drill hall in York where Field Marshall Slim came along the ranks talking to everyone and in our case discussing what we had been through in Burma. One of the lads said that they had been a long time in getting down to us and Slim's reply was that they had eventually caught and hanged the Japanese camp commandant.

Before recruitment into the forces I was engaged to be married to a young lady in York. Including my service in India I was away from England for just over five years. This girl visited my family and waited for almost five years for my return despite not knowing if I was alive or not, the only notification from the War Office being "missing". On my return home my mother informed me that she had married only three months before.

Two or three months after my return I met a young WAAF. Eventually I introduced Tom to her friend and we went out together as a foursome. I got married a few months later and Tom was our best man.

The reception was held at a cafe which had been bought for another ex-POW from Rangoon by an officer who had been looked after by this chap whilst in the camp.

Later on Tom married and I was his best man. Although having known Tom from being very young, and all through our captivity, we drifted apart, mainly because of distance, but I miss him since his death two or three years ago. Another friend, Harry, also mentioned in the book, also died last year. I seem to be the only one left of those that were resident in the York area.

My wife and I soon had a child, a girl, and went along to the local church for the christening. There on the wall was a Roll of Honour with my name included. We notified them and had it erased!

My second wife, Lorna, and I went on holiday to a hotel abroad and went into the restaurant for a meal. As I sat there I saw three Japs in single file coming into the restaurant. My reaction was such that Lorna made me change places with her so that I had my back to them. After about 30 years I still couldn't stand the sight of the Japanese.

From about twelve years ago I have attended a Combat Stress home for rehabilitation two or three times a year for two weeks at a time. They have done wonders for me with various sessions of counselling and therapy with the carers. Relaxation sessions have really helped me. They also encouraged me to write about my experiences which have become this book.

Another group that I have been involved with was the Not Forgotten Society who took me on outings including trips on the canal and a visit to Buckingham Palace for the Queen's Garden Party.