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LBnr Roy F. Finch 7910723,RA 48 LAA Rgt 49 Bty Like so many others Roy heard the call of his King and Country and gave the ultimate price for freedom we have today. Roy, the oldest of nine children, and his father, Frederick J. Finch, joined "Clactons Own". On December 6, 1942 at the ship yards in Glasgow, Scotland it was discovered that there was not enough room for all the men to board the transport ship to the Middle East. The order was given that older men with large families where to stay behind. This saved many a mans life including Roy's father. While at sea the news of Japan bombing Pearl Harbor and other cities in Asia came in and their orders were changed. After a stop off in Durban, South Africa they headed for Java. Roy and his unit took part in one of the most spirited defensive actions against the Japanese in the whole S E Asian campaigning of 1942, an action in which the 49 Battery covered themselves in glory! After sweeping down through Malaya and Sumatra, the Japanese invaded Jave with a large force. They landed at several spots, one of the landings leading to Subang in West Java with its nearby airfield of Kalijati. This airfield was defended by a mixed force of Royal Dutch Netherlands East Indies Army, 49 Battery of the 48 Light Antiaircraft Regiment R A, a detachment of RAF acting as ground troops, and a company of light tanks of the 3rd Kings Own Hussars, RAC. During the night the Dutch forces were withdrawn without notice from the airfield. Soon after dawn the next day (01/03/1942) the remaining defenders unexpectedly discovered Japanese armoured vehicles advancing onto the edge of the field. They hastily assembled and flung up a remarkable defense, one in which almost all the defenders laid down their lives, 49 Bty losing over 50 of their men. The survivors were taken prisoner by the Japanese. When later that week the Allied commanders met with the Japanese in connection with the capitulation negotiations, the Japanese commanders congratulated the British on the courageous stand their men had made during the defense of the Kalijati airfield. Roy spent some time in a camp in the Bandung area, probably Tjimahi, before being brought down to Batavia (Jakarta) by train. There the RA men were mostly housed in Makasura Camp or in Bicycle Camp. In all , about 15,500 British & Commonwealth men were taken prisoner in Java alone. After a few months the Japanese decided, contrary to the Geneva Convention, to make use of these POWS as work parties throughout Asia, mainly on the repair or construction of airfields and railways, but in many cases also on docks and in mines. They were shipped out in batches and ended up all over Asia. LBnr Roy Finch left Java in a large party of gunners led by Capt J D Mills of the 77 Heavy AA Regiment RA. They traveled from Tanjong Priok at Batavia to Singapore, transshipped there, and went on to Jesselton in Borneo, dropping off a party of men at Kuching on the way. After a time in Jesselton, where many died, the part was sent on to Sandakan on the northwest coast of Borneo to construct an airfield. Conditions in Sandakan were very poor, and many men died of malnutrition, disease and beatings. Of the 2,500 POWS in Sandakan only 6 survived the war, and those six only because they succeeded in escaping into the jungle. Roy died January 14, 1945 of malaria in one of the camps in Sandakan. There were rumors that he died on one of the death marches however we now know he died just before they began. After the announcement of the end of the war (VE-Day) Roy's family, along with his home town, waited for the return of their sons, brothers and fathers. Only a few of the POWS who did not go to Sandakan retuned. It wasn't until December of 1945 that Roy's family was notified of his death. Roy we think of you often and we will not forget you and the others who gave their yesterday so we can have our today! Your Nephew Mark S. Taylor |
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