TEN YEARS OF REMEMBERING THE TAIWAN PRISONERS OF WAR

1996

Nov. - Kinkaseki Camp is mentioned at Remembrance Day Service. Canadian Trade Office in Taipei Director Hugh Stephens conceives the idea to hold a memorial service for the men of Kinkaseki – talks to Michael Hurst at the Canadian Society whotakes on the project with the CST’s assistance.

1997

Jan. - Michael Hurst forms the Kinkaseki Committee to organize the memorial service which takes place on May 16 with the showing of the film “A War Story”. Former POW Jack Edwards is in attendance and leads a tour to Kinkaseki Camp
May 19 - Kukutsu Camp is found.
Nov. 23 - The Taiwan POW Memorial is dedicated at Chinguashi with 3 former POWs present. News of the memorial spreads to the UK, Canada, USA and Australia.

1998

Jan. - The project to find the former Taiwan POWs and locate the sites of all the POWcamps on the island is initiated by Michael Hurst. Location of Karenko Camp is verified.
Mar. - POW information plaques at Chinguashi are completed and installed.
Oct. - The location of Taichu Camp is found south of Taichung.
Nov. - The first group of former Taichu POWs returns to the camp for a visit after 54 years.

1999

Mar. -The wall and landscaping project at the Chinguashi POW memorial is completed.
Apr. - The original Kinkaseki Committee closes down - its work is done.
May - The Taiwan POW Camps Memorial Society is launched to continue the work started by Hurst and the Kinkaseki Committee.
The Commonwealth Remembrance Committee is also formed to assist the Society with Remembrance Day Services.
Jul. - The first ever Kinkaseki POW Reunion is held in the UK. Michael and Tina Hurst attend.
Sep. - Discovery of the former Heito Camp.
Nov. - Kukutsu POW Memorial is dedicated with 3 former POWs in attendance.

2000

Jun. - Discovery of Taihoku Camp # 5.
Sep. - The locations of the Shirakawa and Toroku Camps are uncovered.
Oct. - Verification of the site of Taihoku Camp # 6.
Nov. - Taichu POW Memorial is dedicated with 3 former POWs and 6 other POWs present.

2001

Jan. - The site of the Takao Camp is discovered at Kaohsiung Harbour.
Aug. - The Inrin and Inrin Temporary Camps are located.

2002

Jun. - The site of Tamazato Camp is discovered and explored.
Aug. - The location of Churon Camp is verified.
Oct.- HRH Prince Charles presents MBE to Michael Hurst for his work with the POWs at a ceremony in Buckingham Palace.
The location of the Taiwan POW Memorial Tree at the National Memorial Arboretum at Alrewas, Staffs., UK is confirmed.

2003

Apr. - Taiwan POW Memorial Tree is dedicated at the National Memorial Arboretum in the UK.

2004

May - Re-dedication of the Kukutsu POW Memorial following its relocation.
Oct. - Location of the Oka Camp is finally confirmed after a 5-year search.
Nov. - Dedication of the Heito POW Memorial with 6 POWs present.

2005

Jan. - 60th Anniversary of the bombing of the hellship Enoura Maru in Kaohsiung Harbour.
Jun. - 60th Anniversary of the execution of 14 American flyers at the Taipei Prison.
Aug. - 60th Anniversary POW Exhibition & launch of the TPCMS 60th Anniversary commemorative stamp sheet.
Sep. -60th Anniversary of the end of WWII and the evacuation of the POWs from Keelung Harbour.
Nov. - Dedication of the Taiwan Prisoner of War Memorial Park – 3 POWs present.

2006

Jan. - Dedication of the Taiwan Hellships Memorial at Chijin Beach, Kaohsiung.
Nov. - Dedication of the Eternal Flame of Peace and Remembrance at the POW Memorial Park, Chinguashi.

--- from the Director

As we come to the end of 2006, we can look back and see what a great year it has been. Although we have not had as many events as we held last year during the 60th Anniversary of the end of WWII, it has nevertheless been an extremely fruitful year for the Society and our efforts to remember the former Taiwan prisoners of war and tell their story.

This is so important at this time as so many of our dear POW friends are passing away – among them Jack Edwards, whose inspiration helped lead to the building of the memorial that stands on the site of the former Kinkaseki Camp today. Other very dear POW friends – Basil Baker, Fred Holdsworth and Ben Slack have also passed away this year and I will miss them all. In the past year we have recorded the deaths of more than 40 former Taiwan POWs and veterans, so the number of survivors is dwindling month by month.

However, there are still more than 60 former Kinkaseki POWs with us – who we know of, and altogether more than 200 former POWs who suffered so much here in Taiwan for our freedom in those dark days. It is all of these men who we remember – both those who have died and those who remain, and we assure them and their families that although some are no longer with us, they will not be forgotten.

Many of these wonderful men and their families have shared their diaries, photos, notes, stories and mementoes with me, and this has really helped in putting together more of their story. Thanks to their help – and also that of fellow researchers, we have learned a lot more of the story and the pieces of the huge puzzle are rapidly coming together now.

I urge you to take a close look at the cover of this newsletter, and as you gaze on those war cemeteries, realize the terrible price that was paid for the freedom and prosperity that we all enjoy in our world today. If it weren’t for those men – doing what they did back then, we would certainly not likely be doing whatever we are doing today! They gave everything they had – let us take a moment and give them the respect they are due and help us to make sure that they are never forgotten.Sincerely,

Michael Hurst MBE

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