During August we take a look at the FEPOW Side-chapel, as it is the main reason for why this church building is here. Originally designated a Lady Chapel for devotional purposes, It was reordered at the 2nd millennium to its current purpose when the Narthex was added. This is a focus for the sacrificial monument and Living Memorial desired by Fr Malcom Cowin. As God’s House it was built to the memory of the Fallen of all creeds and nationalities who perished in the Far East during WWII which did not end until Victory in Japan on 15th August 1945 and global hostilities ceased. It was not ratified until 2nd September 1945 and prisoners were actually released.
As our island Nation celebrated with relief Victory in Europe in May 1945, it was not widely appreciated that the 2nd global conflict had not ended. At that point, the War in the Pacific was still raging with another tyrant. There were still over a million military prisoners and civilian internees in captivity in over 600 POW and Internee camps under Japanese control throughout the Far East. These camps stretched across Asia from Thailand through Indonesia, Burma and Taiwan to Japan.
Whenever we gather here in Peacetime, let us Reflect on what we might have had to undergo, Recall their sufferings endured in horrendous conditions and Remember the price of our Peace.