Peter Goodwin Hartley - St Mary and St Helen's Church, Elstow, Bedfordshire, UK - Remembering FEPOW on Waymarking.com

Peter Hartley became a FEPOW when he was captured in the Far East at the surrender of Singapore. He was a very young Sergeant in the Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Regiment. He was the son of the Reverend Stanley Hartley, whose memorial plaque appears above the door of the church and whose grave lies next to Peter's buried ashes in the churchyard.

On Peter's return from the war he wrote a book about his experiences as a FEPOW called 'Escape to Captivity'; summarised visit link as: 'The author was in Singapore, and escaped to Sumatra where he was captured'. He became the Chaplain to the Bedford and District Branch of the Far East Prisoners of War Association and was instrumental in remembering his fellow men. He conducted the service at the dedication of the FEPOW Memorial Altar in the Bunyan Chapel of the church. A Service of Remembrance was held on Sunday 5th May 1957 at 3pm.

Peter was Vicar of Elstow from 1952 to 1976. He left Elstow and became Canon Residentiary of Bermuda Cathedral. He lived from 6.1.1918 to 5.6.1992. His ashes are buried here with his relations.

Many of the features in the church are thanks to Peter Hartley and his father. Peter designed the wooden housing of the pipework of the organ we see today; he was studying at the Slade School of Art. The Bedford firm C. A. White built the organ case, Altar, Lectern, and Clergy Stall. Another feature in the church is the oak reredos which was given by the Bedfordshire Branch of the Far East Prisoner of War Association.

Elstow church remains an important place for FEPOW and now COFEPOW. So many from the Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Regiment died as prisoners or returned as changed men. Doug Gautrey, the Reader at Elstow for many years was a FEPOW and the annual reunion service of prayer and remembrance for the Bedfordshire Far East Prisoners of War Association was always held here.

Type of Resource: Grave Other from above - Please Specify: Also Church Features Date if Relevant: 06/05/1992 Relevant Position in Armed Forces: Sergeant - Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Regiment. Nationality: British Relevant Website: [Web Link]

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