Java Memorial

COFEPOW (children and families of Far Eastern prisoners of war) are to build a permanent memorial building to all Far Eastern prisoners of war which will be sited at the National Memorial Arboretum, Alrewas, Staffs. It will be officially opened on 15 August 2005 and will include a special memorial to all Java Far Eastern prisoners of war. The Java memorial will take the form of specially-commissioned painted windows, replicas of the two made by Lt Cdr Upton, RNVR for the tiny St George’s church, built by the POW at Tandjong Priok. The original windows were saved after the war and are now on permanent display at the Anglican Church of All Saints in Jakarta. The replicas will form a fitting memorial to not only all those held at Tandjong Priok but also all who were taken prisoner by the Japanese and held captive in Java.

"In 1942 at Tandjong Priok camp, and occupying a space no larger than some 20 x 15ft, a purposeful building was erected, dedicated as a non-denominational Christian church called "St George's Chapel". It had two painted windows, an archway but no door, and was furnished with an altar and reading desk. It was used by the few POW chaplains but also served as a reminder of such places of worship in our own towns and villages… it signified FAITH and HOPE in those dark days and it indicated both a moral DEFIANCE and spiritual DEI GRACIA. When men of all ranks had to leave and serve or die elsewhere, we and they took with them that same Faith and Hope… this permanent memorial will bring joy to we few who remain and our children's children."

Hugh Edwards, 77th HAA Regt, RA, former FEPOW, who worshipped at St George‘s Church in 1943

We need to raise £6,000 within the next 12 months to make this a reality. If you know of any Java Far Eastern prisoners of war (of any nationality) or their relatives, please tell them about this project.

This cutting was taken from the Nippon Times, 27 June 1943, found at a POW camp in Japan. It tells of the service of consecration of St George's church, Tandjong Priok, Java, which took place a year earlier, in July 1942. The POW who found it had been at the service before being shipped to Japan.
To make a donation please make your cheque payable to COFEPOW and mark the back "Java Windows Appeal".
UK taxpayers can give under the Gift Aid scheme, please request a form.
For further details about the appeal:
e-mail mm.parkes@btinternet.com
telephone 0151 632 2017  (or from outside the UK +44 151 632 2017)
or write to Meg Parkes
'Kranji'
34 Queens Road
Hoylake
Wirral
CH47 2AJ
England