Within the large cabinet in the side-chapel is tangible evidence of our church’s unique secular dedication as a Memorial Church: The Honour Roll of WWII POW and Civilian Internees who died in Prison Camps all over the Far East as slave labour: in various different mines as well as on the two Death Railways.
In these 3 tomes are 24,582 names of people who died in that captivity of all nationalities and faiths. One man – Frank Hardy, a FEPOW - inscribed them all. He and Fr Cowin gathered names and researched materials for this monumental task to remember their comrades. He started in late 1958, but It was December 1962 before the 3rd and final volume was finished. In all, it took almost as long as his captivity to complete them!
The style of the tomes is basic block binding, and when the books’ end papers started to split several years ago, they were renewed with a sturdier fabric. There is also much symbolism in their construction using sacrificial imagery to beautiful effect. The Books’ covers are of goatskin leather, dyed a deep shade of blue, and the paper colour is similar to goatskin parchment. Each page of names is enclosed by an intersecting black border frame in the Victorian mourning style. The covers’ design implies the global span of the names within, and is thought to be of gold leaf. These parallel lines coming diagonally from right to left on one cover and from left to right on the other simulates the Sun’s rays under which they laboured. This pattern traces its rising in the East to its setting in the west. Where they cross over, on each book’s spine, they create diamonds that act as metaphorical graves wherein the names are laid to rest when the books are closed.
In the smaller cabinet on the wall, is a unique book of Remembrance for FEPOW Survivors. A FEPOW Survivor left a bequest to the church so that his name could be added; reuniting him with his comrades again. This book was created for that purpose. Additional names continue to be added when we are informed of their passing away. When an enquiry is made, the book page is turned to where the name appears. If it is a new name, it is then added. The page remains open there until the next enquiry causes it to be changed. In this way, different names on the pages are exposed to the cool soft air of prayer every time an activity takes place. A truly ‘Living Memorial’.