Another “Hero” Passes On! |
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- by Michael Hurst MBE |
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For Charles “Chuck” Towne this was another part of a journey of memories that had brought him back to the Philippines once again, this time as a participant in the World War II Hellships Memorial Tour. There were memories of his days as a medic during the fierce bombardment of the island by the Japanese, and how he had rescued his fellow soldiers who had been wounded in the battles and carried them through enemy fire to the hospital in the Malinta Tunnel. We visited the batteries where his mates had died and also the Malinta Tunnel where he had worked so hard to save the men, and he shared many thoughts and memories with me. As we continued the tour, the memories came back of his time as a prisoner of war, when after suffering for months in Cabanatuan POW Camp and Bilibid Prison, he was put aboard a Japanese “hellship” – the Oryoku Maru, with 1618 other men bound for Japan, and of the terrible conditions they suffered on board that ship. He remembered how the ship was bombed and finally sunk by American carrier aircraft, and how - as he struggled to swim to shore, he heard the cries of his fellow POWs who could not swim and “towed” several of them to safety. Then, with no regard for his own life, he jumped back in to rescue more. After several such trips he dropped exhausted on the beach by the sea wall. Many men owed their lives to this brave man on that day.
The horrors did not end, for the survivors were then put on another hellship – the Enoura Maru, which was bombed – again by US Navy aircraft, while on a layover in Takao (Kaohsiung) Harbour in Taiwan on January 9th 1945. More than 300 men were killed in the bombing and once again Chuck tried to do what he could to help his mates, although he was wounded himself. After several days the Japanese removed the bodies of those who had died in the bombing and buried them in a mass grave nearby. Then he and the other survivors were transferred to the Brazil Maru to continue the journey to Japan. Chuck was never a POW on Taiwan – he finished the war in a prison camp in Keijo, Korea and then returned to the States. During our tour together in the Philippines we took part in the dedication of the World War II Hellships Memorial at Subic Bay and a visit to the American War Cemetery in Manila, and he continued to share the memories of his wartime experiences with me. Last year in January Chuck flew to Taiwan to be with us at the 60th Anniversary service to commemorate the bombing of the Enoura Maru. That ceremony led to the building and dedication of the Taiwan Hellships Memorial at Kaohsiung Harbour on January 26th this year. We became great friends and kept in touch, and it was so wonderful to be able to be with him again this time in the Philippines. We had a wonderful time together and Chuck also wanted to come to Taiwan to take part in the dedication of our memorial but sadly wasn’t able to. He returned to the States on January 27th and on January 31st he passed away at his home. This came as a real shock to all of us who were on the tour with him as he seemed so spry and determined to take part in everything. Everyone on the tour enjoyed Chuck's presence. He contributed so much in the way of factual information and personal experience which was a real help to those family members whose relatives didn't come home. His sense of humour and his indomitable spirit was an inspiration to us all. He is leaving many friends to mourn him - some who are unknown I'm sure, and perhaps even some who he rescued and saved those many years ago. Be assured that Chuck was a hero - even though he didn't like to be called one, and that he has left his mark on this world and made it a better place because of his presence here. Now the old soldier is with his former mates again and may he rest in peace at last. |
We stood together arm-in-arm on the deck of the boat as we approached the island of Corregidor. It was January 19th 2006 and an old soldier was returning once again to his former place of battle. I photographed him getting off the boat - coming down the gangway, struggling with his two canes, but with his head held high.
IMPORTANT – UPDATE OF MAILING LIST. . .
After many years of sending out the “Never Forgotten” newsletter, we feel that it is time to update our mailing list to ensure that we are sending copies to those who really want them. We hear from many of you on a regular basis, but some we have never heard from – or haven’t heard from for several years. With costs of printing and postage rising, we feel that we need to make contact with all of you to see if you are still interested in receiving the newsletter and to make sure that we are sending it to the correct address.
Therefore we are sending this notice to everyone and asking that you please fill in the questions below, cut on the dotted line above and return this form to us as soon as possible. You may also FAX the form to us or email us with your response. If we do not hear from you by August 31, of this year then your name will be removed from the mailing list.
Name _________________________________________ Former POW POW Family Member Other
Mailing Address ___________________________________________________________________________
I want to continue to receive “NEVER FORGOTTEN” Yes ____ No ____ Comments: ________________________
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Thank you for your help and co-operation in this matter. We look forward to hearing from you soon.
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