Anger and distress has been caused today by the Fylde Ex Service Liaisons Committee’s lack of support for the veterans of Blackpool’s former Far East Prisoners of War. Today is VJ Day and my cousin was a FE POW.
The only time that many veterans learned of any form of service for our former comrades was when an irate colleague phoned from The Albert and Lion to complain that so little was being done to commemorate Blackpool’s own heroes. Had there not been a funeral earlier this week it can be assumed that none of the Standard Bearers would have known of today’s fiasco. It appears that the liaison officer for it all, Councillor Manure or the similar, was the same thoughtful servant who left former Royal Marine Derek Coyle on this side of the Channel during the last D-Day celebrations.
To the so named Liaison Committee and the less than competent councillor responsible for this farrago, if you can’t do the job properly, GO. The mass majority of former servicemen do not belong to Associations because of the cabals that exist. The late Ted Hargreaves of the 88th Regiment, another former Far East Prisoner of War, was greatly distressed that things were being done in his name but without his consent. Those same organisations still ignore the plight of the prisoners. Why? Because it may offend Japanese tourists! If the Japs do not know of the atrocities that were committed in their name, then it is about time they learned.
There is absolutely nothing on the Ex Servicemen’s website about today’s none event. There is not much more on the Council’s copious web pages. So much for all the lip service they give to veterans and their families. Had I not been in Council chambers when they ‘debated’ the adoption of 12 Regiment RA, I may be accused of just sour grapes, but having witnessed first hand the lack of true commitment on that occasion to the boys and girls in uniform today, that charge cannot be offered.
Blackpool's former Far East Prisoners of War deserve better. All our servicepeople deserve better.
The portly and well fed Councillors of Blackpool can never even begin to imagine the privation and suffering of these brave men who fought and died or were captured and forced into slave labour by the most inhumane regime imaginable.
ReplyDeleteNot for the uncaring Blackpool Councillors the ills of beri-beri, malaria,dysentery,cholera,jungle ulcers and lice.
Not for Blackpool Councillors two cups of rice a day,dehydration and constant beatings.
Yet this bunch of self promoting,
back slapping hypocrites refused to support VJ Day this year. Preferring instead to maintain an undignified silence.
These politically correct mini politicians seemingly do not want the delicate sensitivities of the Japanese disturbed.
Decency has been sacrificed on the altar of avarice
SHAME ON YOU BLACKPOOL COUNCIL.