A PLAQUE to remember Oxford’s Far East Prisoners of War will go back on public display after more than 40 years in a Cowley wardrobe.

The tribute, made in memory of all of Oxfordshire’s PoWs, was vandalised after being fixed to a tree in South Park in 1973.

It was recovered by Tommy Bowen who was held captive by the Japanese in Chiangi prison between 1942 and the end of the war in August 1945.

On the eve of the 70th anniversary of the prisoners’ liberation from the Japanese, Mr Bowen’s son John, who lives in Cowley, has come forward to put the plaque back on public display after reading an article in the Oxford Mail.

A prominent member of the Oxfordshire FEPoW association, Mr Bowen – a Pressed Steel factory worker – passed it down to his son who has had it in his wardrobe for 42 years.

Mr Bowen said: “I’m relieved to hand it to somebody who can hopefully put it somewhere it can be appreciated and somewhere I’m sure my dad would appreciate it too.”

Mr Bowen Sr served with the Royal Army Ordnance Corps and the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers before being captured in Singapore in February 1942. Chiangi, where he was held, was the main camp for the captured British and commonwealth forces.

Around 50,000 Allied soldiers – predominantly British and Australian – were held in the Selarange Barracks near the prison.

Although the death rate was low compared to other PoW camps – 850 died – prisoners were transferred from Chiangi to various labour camps including the Burma Railway.

Mr Bowen returned to live in Horspath Road in Cowley and worked as a welder at the Pressed Steel factory.

The grandfather-of-six died in 1993 aged 87 and his wife Alice lived to the age of 92, passing away in 1999. His son, a retired bookkeeper, said despite his best efforts he could never get his father to open up about his experiences in the Far East. The 76-year-old said: “Even a pint of beer would not loosen his tongue.”

The group has organised its own ceremony to mark VJ Day at St Michael of the North Gate on Friday.

The Cornmarket Street church has a Burma Star on one of its stained glass windows and the branch hopes to put the plaque just above it.

A short service will be followed by a few prayers and a wreath will be laid.

VJ DAY EVENTS

* Friday, August 14, 1pm – Commemorative service at St Michael at the North Gate in Cornmarket Street organised by Oxfordshire’s COFEPOWs.

* Saturday, August 15 – The Witney branch of the Royal British Legion will hold a short act of remembrance and thanksgiving at the War Memorial on Church Green.
St Mary’s Church in Kidlington will host a short service at its war memorial at noon.

* Sunday, August 16, 10.45am – Civic service at St Mary Magdalene Church, Woodstock Town Hall. The Duke of Marlborough, Oxfordshire mayors and Woodstock town councillors will be attending the civic service and taking part in a procession.