Added a page for Ernest in the Roll of Honour, ‘Site Memorial’ section:-
https://www.roll-of-honour.org.uk/B/html/bass-ernest-edward.htm
Information
Sean Gadsby
Japanese Transport
Thailand-Burma Railway
Liberation Questionnaire – Supplied by Sean Gadsby
KEW:- WO 361/2172, WO 392/23, WO 345/4, WO 361/1954, WO 361/1979, WO 361/2196, WO 361/2058, WO 361/2189, WO 361/2167, WO 417/42, WO 417/70, WO 417/72, WO 417/97,
Researching and adding to the Roll of Honour, there are dark moments, and there have been many.
Today looking through my files I found this, I wrote in one of those dark moments. Spent some time re-vamping it and then shared it with the FEPOW Family Facebook Group.
Those who died and have ‘No Known Grave’ are remembered on the Singapore Memorial, this was for them.
.
.
Why am I still lying here?
Beneath this canopy of green
With an unknown bird chorus above my head,
Although many years have faded, I recall the promise made
Did my mates forget, or too lie in rest
After placing this makeshift cross upon my bed.
.
Nestled against my body
Lie reminders of my passed,
Slipped from the pocket where they were kept,
Golden memories of a farewell wave,
A new born cradled in her arms,
The tiny greeting hand I have never met.
.
Lying within a corner a silver Christmas joey
Almost new, a horseshoe from our wedding cake,
A fading image of my loved ones, with a tear, slightly grown,
Loving, silver bow of ribbon, from a sender, unknown
All locked in are my treasures, with an old rusting key
In this unknown ground in which they were sown.
.
Am I forgotten ?
Did I die in vain ?
How many mates have made this soil their bed ?
Will we be together, someday to meet again ?
Sharing memories of times, joyfully said,
Please, why am I still lying here ?
