The Second World War began in 1939. In 1941 the German allied Japan began to attack British locations in the Far East and the Pacific. This included Singapore.
The American port of Pearl Habour was attacked by the Japenese in a sign of aggression. America and their ally Britain declared War on Japan & Nazi Germany. The 1/5th Battalion The Sherwood Foresters set sail and landed 31 January 1942. They prepared for a seige, which came on foot. Something the British were not prepared for. Outnumbered and trapped, British forces surrendered on 15th February. All of the Sherwood Foresters taken as Prisoners.
After a long war around the world, on 7th May 1945 Nazi Germany surrendered. Japan sued for peace on 14th August 1945.
In total 450 Sherwood Foresters died as a result of being POWs. Those that remained were repatriated to Britain where they returned to their lives.
Soldier's Stories
The Commanding Officer
Colonel Harold Hutchinson LILLY O.B.E.,TD
Colonel Harold Lily joined the Sherwood Foresters during the First World War. He commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant with the 3rd /5th Battalion on 16 April 1915. Harold was promoted to Captain on 12 July 1921, then Major on 1 April 1930. Then Lieut-Colonel of the 5th Battalion 16 February 1934 to May 1935. Lily was the Commanding Officer when the Battalion was taken POW at Singapore.
Harold always managed to make sure there was a Forester Officer in any party where there was a Forester. It was reported after the war, that Harold looked after all priosners in his care regardless of thier capbadge. The Battalion were released at Pratchai 15th August 8, 1945, Victory in Japan Day. Colonel Lily retired from the Army in 1946. He passed away in October 1954.
"The losses of the Regiment whilst in captivity have been high, but are lower than the average, thanks largely to Colonel Lilly."
"He often took punishment from the Japense because he was always furthering our cause fo additional food etc. he never ceased his efforts to obtain amenities for the prisoners. "
The mess tin of Private Syndey Wooton shows us how they ate and that they used just one tin for the time they were prisoners. Sydney joined the Regiment in 1940 and like all the other Sherwood Foresters of the battalion were taken as POWs in 1942. They were forced to work on the Burma Railway. Sydney died of Cholera aged 21 on May 29th 1943 at Takanun. He is one of 450 Sherwood Foresters who died whilst POWs.
Sadley we do not have an image of Sydney.
The Handkerchief was drawn by R W Howard. The image is of the POW camp Kaorin in Singapore. Around the edges can be seen signatures of other POWs who have also included which Regiments they belonged to.
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