"I've been seeing a fair bit of the world since I left and it didn't take me long to find out that 'there's no place like home'."
My Grandfather kept a lot of letters about his time in the war, safe in a box to show us grandchildren when we were old enough to understand what he went through.
Grandad (Mr Maurice Morgan) was a prisoner of war in Burma. Here are some of his letters home to his mother Nellie Morgan.
He was taken prisoner on the 15th February 1942 in Singapore. Released in 1945.
He spend three years working on the Burma / Siam death railway living on very little food, and being beaten repeatedly.
He had to walk 10 miles some days just to where they were working that day, then do a full days hard labour cutting down trees in the high humidity of the forest, then walk 10 miles back to camp.
All he had to eat was a handful of rice.
Transcript:
[Letter]
E.M.Morgan 4194375
8/9/45
Dear Mother & all
I sent one Air Mail letter this morning, you'll probably get this the same time. Its a pleasure to be able to write again although I don't know quite what to write about.
There is not much happening here, we are supposed to be [unclear - testing?] Where we go from I don't know yet. We are being looked after well here but I'm just itching to be on the move, every body is longing to get home. It won't be long now anyway.
There is not many [unclear] sick [unclear] we are mostly fit and waiting for orders to move.
There is not much I can tell you about my experience except that I reached Singapore on the 13 Jan 42 was taken prisoner on the 15 Feb. After that I was working in Singapore for eight months then went to Thailand. Since then I have been in eight or nine camps at different stages up the line. I dare say you have heard about the railway! The work varied a lot, different work in different camps and of course different jobs in each camp, some hard, some fairly easy. I have been working most of the time or I have had a bit of sickness but not as much as a good many of the lads. Anyway I managed to earn enough to keep myself in tobacco and to buy a few extra luxuries.
I've been seeing a fair bit of the world since I left and it didn't take me long to find out that 'there's no place like home'.
Its going to be good to get home and see everybody again. I don't know what is going to happen yet but we are expecting about two months leave.
Well I will close now and get this away don't forget to remember me to everyone and please write as much as you can and if possible send some photos. I am waiting patiently for some recent mail from you. I believe there is some expected in tomorrow.
Hoping to be with you soon.
[POW card]
Received Jan 2nd 1945
[Typed letter from Buckingham Palace]
The Queen and I bid you a very warm welcome home.
Through all the great trails and sufferings which you have undergone at the hands of the Japanese, you and your comrades have been constantly in our thoughts. We know from the accounts we have already received how heavy those sufferings have been. We know also that these have been endured by you with the highest courage.
We mourn with you the deaths of so many of your gallant comrades.
With all our hearts, we hope that your return from captivity will bring you and your families a full measure of happiness, which you may long enjoy together.
George R. I
September 1945.
Back to list
