The Far East Prisoners of War Memorial Building - The National Memorial Arboretum, Croxall Road, Alrewas, Staffordshire, UK
Posted by: 
Dragontree
N 52° 43.750 W 001° 43.950
30U E 585591 N 5842896
A truly, great memorial to the FEPOWs in The National Memorial Arboretum.
Waymark Code: WM93DK
Location: West Midlands, United Kingdom
Date Posted: 06/22/2010
Views: 7
With our expectations high after reading the literature on this special Memorial Building we were almost reduced to tears as we read the informative displays inside. Every detail has been thought of carefully and we have compiled a report on the building below. The National Memorial Arboretum website can be found here: (
visit link)
The FEPOW Memorial Building began with an appeal on 15th February 2002 and was to reach its final opening day on 15th August 2005. This alone is a pure display of honour to the FEPOWs as this is the period of 1188 days that the majority were imprisoned for in the Far East between the same dates. When the building was opened the National FEPOW Association formally handed over its responsibilities to COFEPOW: 'due to the age and infirmity of their members, and COFEPOW's pledge to ensure their continued remembrance through bringing the knowledge of those events to future generations'. There is a dedication plaque inside the door of the building.
COFEPOW is for the Children of Far East Prisoners of War and it is to the credit of Carol Cooper that this excellent charity exists. Carol's story can be seen in the Memorial Building as she realised a secret diary reported in a newspaper article belonged to her father who died as a FEPOW. This was the beginning of a wonderful association as COFEPOW was set up and the forgotten war's prisoners are now honoured by their children and close ones.
The Memorial Building is dedicated to those who died and to those who returned from the war in the Far East. Unlike today where shell shock and post traumatic stress disorder is being recognised, our returning soldiers were expected to continue with their lives with no counsel. COFEPOW's members remember their fathers' enduring illness and nightmares as a result of the atrocities they suffered.
Designed to represent the shape of a jungle hut the building was partly funded by the COFEPOW and the Millennium Commission costing just under £500,000. On 15th August 2005 the building was opened by representatives of the three Armed Forces, Air Marshal Sir John Baird KBE DL MBChB, Surgeon Vice Admiral I Jenkins CVO QHS FRCS and Lt Col C G Stallard. A RAF fly-past by a Jaguar fighter and a Battle of Britain Spitfire was welcomed.
Throughout the Memorial Building are panels explaining life as a FEPOW covering all aspects. Every one of over 55,000 British Serviceman who became a FEPOW is recorded with their name and rank with a facility to select an individual's name and see it displayed, highlighted on the wall. Indeed this database is the starting point for many people's research and can be seen on the COFEPOW's website: (
visit link)
There are original artefacts and tools displayed in cabinets which FEPOWs used whilst incarcerated. Vivid photographs and illustrations show the depravity the prisoners were subjected to and their skeletal frames can be clearly seen suffering from malnutrition and disease.
A model of the bridges over the River Kwai is displayed and a panel sets the story straight about the reality of this 'famous bridge' known in the film. The original drawings for the design of the Changi Lych Gate can be seen. The Burma Star, a Holy Bible and the ingenuity of the prisoners are in the details of the artefacts.
Inside the building is the Java Memorial and a replica of the stained glass windows made by Lt Cdr Upton RNVR. A wooden memorial cross is displayed on the wall nearby made by Cyril and Yvonne Shorten. The large, interactive map of South East Asia shows the relevant sites allowing you to select a specific camp and video presentations from FEPOWs can be seen and heard.
Outside the building are commemorative bricks laid in the paving and the surrounding memorials are dedicated to FEPOWs and the Far East conflict. An ongoing Archival and Research section on the upper floor of the building is available to COFEPOW members by arrangement and is still in need of more funds to ensure the safe storage of them.
We found the experience of visiting this Memorial Building one of true emotion and respect. It tells the FEPOW story honestly, in detail and as it should be told. Carol Cooper describes the meaning of this Memorial Building:
"Together we have brought before others this poignant tragedy of war and will strive to ensure that future generations use this knowledge to work towards global peace."