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T/69326
Sergeant
George Priestman
1903/03/01 - Born: Birkdale Southport
Son of George Alfred Priestman
Occupation Decorator
Royal Army Service Corps
29 Combined Motor Transport Depot
1942/04/03 - WO 417/41, Casualty List No. 788. Missing
1943/09/22 - WO 417/66, Casualty List No 1245. Previously posted on Casualty List No 788 as Missing now reported Prisoner of War.
Japanese POW
1942/02/15 - Captured Singapore
Changi Camp, Singapore
PoW No. M-337
Japanese Index Card - Side One
Japanese Index Card - Side Two
1942/10/25 - Transported overland with ‘X’ Letter Party to Thailand
650 PoW in group
17th Train from Singapore to Thailand
Commander Lt-Col. C.E. Morrison, 1st Battalion, Leicestershire Regiment
1942/11/01 - Arrive Ban Pong, Thailand
New PoW No. 24536
1943/01/07 - George was sent to Chungkai, Thailand and remained there until 7 April 1943.
1943/10 - Lines joined at Konkoita
George’s Affidavit which was signed on 3rd April 1946, said he was Senior NCO of No 3 Company 2 Working Battalion which consisted of 3 officers and 81 men. The company returned from building bridges in Thailand on 16th March 1944.
New PoW No. 13153
Kanchanaburi - PoW’s Line up For a Meal
George as indicated by an arrow
1945/08/30 - Liberated Thailand
1945/11/16 - WO417/99, Casualty List No. 1912. Previously reported on Casualty List No. 1245 (Corrected by Casualty List No. 1415) as Prisoner of War now Not Prisoner of War. Previous Theatre of War, Malaya.
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Pacific Star
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War Medal
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1939-1945 Star
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Died
Age 46
12th January 1950
as a result of the horrors he endured during his time in captivity
Loved Ones
Ethel wife of George and daughter Ethel.
Grandchildren Jean and Carol who are the children of George’s daughter Ethel.
Notes from Grand daughter Jean:-
He was already 39 when he was captured so I imagine it was very hard for him (and everyone else of that age). He had already been at Dunkirk, so being captured at that age must have been dreadful. I remember seeing a letter that was sent to my grandma shortly after his death, by a fellow prisoner from the Wirral who said that he was always there for his men and suffered badly for it. I believe he had dreadful nightmares right until his death. I was born in 1947 so don't really remember him, but still have the photos and this letter:-
Copy of Letter
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........Pensby Road
Heswall, Cheshire
16th January 1950
Dear Mrs Priestman
I hope you will allow me to send my condolences, upon the sad bereavement of George. I read of the tragedy in tonight’s Liverpool Echo.
I was one of George’s company, the 29 C.M.T.D. and George was my Sergeant for a long time, whilst we were prisoners. He was a great fellow, and was respected by all who knew him.
I am so sorry for what has happened; unfortunately for too many of us, neurosis has haunted us.
My wife and I send our kindest regards, and although this will not be of any help, in many respects, we do wish to say our words are sincere.
Yours sincerely
P.V. Smith
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Letter from:-
Percy Victor Smith
Private S/13040758
Royal Army Service Corps
29 Combined Motor Transport Depot
Born 1915/11/17
https://www.roll-of-honour.org.uk/s/html/smith-percy-victor.htm
Rest in Peace George
Information
Jean Birch - Granddaughter
Japanese Transports
Thailand Burma Railway
KEW Files:- WO 361/2172, WO 345/48, WO 361/1955, WO 361/2196, WO 361/2064, WO 361/2165, WO 361/2069, WO 392/26
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