For Remembrance Day 2023, the Royal British Legion have included in their annual newsletter a four page feature on Dad’s story. They approached me back in the summer, asking if they could highlight his adventures in Hong Kong and China in the Second World War. I provided some images and extracts from Stranger In My Heart and they did the rest. They have titled his story ‘The other Great Escape.’ I’m really pleased with it because the Far East is often neglected in remembrance of WW2 and the Battle of Hong Kong almost never gets a mention.
I was pleased to see that the newsletter also includes stories from Commonwealth veterans, another neglected group in the story of the Second World War. The Royal British Legion is dedicated to supporting service veterans and their families, providing support for those with mental or physical health issues or financial worries.
Everyone who has served has made sacrifices and endured suffering for the benefit of all of us. They don’t all have dramatic stories like Dad’s, many suffered as PoWs or have served in supporting roles, but they all did their bit. Let us remember them and show our gratitude. And this year, the poppy is entirely plastic free!
Stranger In My Heart 
Mary, have you also followed the
‘Sinking of the Lisbon Maru’ memorial at the National Arboretum, & more recent Chinese film? My father survived this, & 3 more years in Jap prison camp, albeit a changed man. My(later)stepfather,Tony Hewitt, also escaped from HK, like yr Dad.
I have read about the memorial and I know the outline of the horrifying story. Not seen the film – is it on Youtube or anywhere? It’s a miracle your father survived. Hope all’s well with you.