FEPOW Grove - The National Memorial Arboretum, Croxall Road, Alrewas, Staffordshire, UK - Remembering FEPOW on Waymarking.com

From the Changi Lych Gate this beautiful grove is a truly emotional place where dedicated trees and memorials are surrounded with bamboo. The National Federation of FEPOW Clubs and Associations has a memorial and there is a map showing the Japanese Empire after six months of the war and where prisoners were already being held. There is a summary of the war in the Far East with statistics next to the map which is shown in the gallery.

Dedicated plaques and trees line the path and grove. Notable plaques include memorials to those who died in little known atrocities such as the 1000 of the North Borneo Death Marches, the 600 transported who died near the Solomon Islands, all those who died at sea and the many women and children who were civilians. Another plaque which caught our eye instantly was to Lt. General A.E. Percival CB, DSO, OBE, MC and Brigadier Sir P.J.D. Toosey CBE, DSO. They were both former Presidents of the FEPOW Association and notable heroes of the war.

The Memorial of the National Federation of FEPOW Clubs and Associations is a brick plinth with a slate and black, polished plaque. It was unveiled on 15th August 1998 by Harold Lloyd Payne CBE; there is a blue plaque nearby to his memory. It has the following inscription:

'Federation of Far Eastern Prisoner of War Clubs Associations and Internees
In Memory of those who died as a result of captivity in the Far East 1941 - 1945.

And we who are left grow old with the years
Remembering the heartache, the pain and the tears,
Hoping and praying that never again
Man will sink to such sorrow and shame
The price that was paid we will always remember
Every day, every month, not just in November.'

A few other plaques are featured in the gallery of Major Douglas Allan, Mrs Theresia Armstrong and her daughters Gracie and Dixie and "The thousand men of Liang". There are many, many more plaques of equal importance.

Type of Resource: Other Other from above - Please Specify: Memorial Grove Relevant Website: [Web Link] Date if Relevant: Not listed Relevant Position in Armed Forces: Not listed Nationality: Not listed

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Date Logged Log   05/15/2014 Alancache visited it