Latest news with #FallofSingapore
Epoch Times
25-04-2025
- General
- Epoch Times
Digger's Wartime Letter Details the Act of God That Saved His Life
In what World War II survivor Richard 'Digger' Bryant could only describe as an act of God, he survived death by a matter of metres, escaping repeated Japanese pattern bombing while fleeing the enemy via a small 'tub' boat. These are the details that the now-late Digger—an Australian sergeant in Singapore—describes in a wartime letter to one of his brothers back home. Digger's nephew Don, and Don's son Jason—his great-nephew—also helped recount his story to The Epoch Times. 'The Japs came over and pattern-bombed the water front when we were in the tub,' Digger wrote in the letter while he was briefly in Jakarta during his covert escape mission. 'It was the biggest fright of my life—out in the water with a wall of falling bombs and horrific explosions coming towards us. 'I gave up and said my prayers but by a miracle, the bombs ran out a few yards from us. I don't mind telling you that I have known fear for what it really is.' Related Stories 1/27/2025 2/28/2025 After the Fall of Singapore on Feb. 15, 1942, three soldiers, including Digger, made a miraculous escape to near Kalumburu in northern Western Australia in a small boat, with the help of a selfless Timorese local. Two other soldiers perished from overhead Japanese bombs. Before landing in northern Australia, Digger constantly hid in mangroves to avoid Japanese detection. 'That was why he hated mangroves,' his nephew Don Bryant, 88, told The Epoch Times. Richard "Digger" Bryant (R) who went on to serve as a coast watcher in Papua New Guinea after escaping the Fall of Singapore via a small boat. Courtesy of Jason Bryant He became severely emaciated and was eventually treated. 'If ever a man believed that there was a god above watching over us, it was now, as only a miracle got us out,' Digger wrote. Digger passed away at the age of 77 in 1991. An Arduous Journey From Singapore, the original five boat crew members steadily traversed the seas north to Banda Aceh, in Indonesia's Aceh province, presumably to avoid being detected by Japanese bombers. They then ventured back south towards Jakarta, and onto northern Australia from Timor. The two Australian soldiers who perished were killed in the strait between South Sumatra and Java, near the island of Krakatoa. There were often ships going past and shooting at the small crew. The arduous journey would have taken several months in total, and Digger and his crewmates are believed to have reached Australian shores in August of 1942. Richard 'Digger' Bryant (right) who escaped the Fall of Singapore via a small boat, and made it to Australia. 'They were helped by the Indonesians all the way, with fuel and food,' Don said. A Timorese man with limited English also pitched in. After dropping off the Australian soldiers, he immediately commandeered his small boat back to where he came from, most likely Timor. The Australian soldiers had no money to offer him—he did it out of the goodness of his heart, and they never learned his name. This mutual care and respect is why Aussies are still so respected in the region. That is the opinion of Digger's great-nephew, former federal policeman and Timor peacekeeper Jason Bryant. 'When I was in Timor, I was in charge of 30 United Nations police [UNPOL]. And they were from all different nations,' he said. 'And I asked a language assistant, 'Why do you love the Australians so much more than everyone else?' 'He said, 'We've always loved Australians because you've always been there for us.' 'They risked their lives for Australians.' Stockmen to the Rescue After landing, an emaciated Digger was found by stockmen following several days of trekking around remote northern Western Australia, the boundary riders taking him into a homestead and feeding him, before he was taken to Perth via submarine. Going to Darwin was out of the question due to the Japanese bombing of the Northern Territory capital on Feb. 19, 1942, and the fact that enemy ships were waiting off the coast. The stockmen waited with Digger until a submarine arrived. This typified the united national spirit against the threat of Japanese invasion at the time, according to Bryant. 'Australia was under threat, and it was every man and their dog who had to help out,' he said. A Court Martial Order For His Troubles After recovering for several weeks at the Merredin Army Hospital—set up about 260 kilometres inland from Perth to make it a more difficult aerial target—Digger received a court martial for deserting the troops under his care after the Fall of Singapore. But that order was quickly dropped when the authorities realised everything Digger went through to get back to Australian shores. When Digger recovered, he went and served as a coast watcher in Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands, spotting ships go by and reporting them. Around the time of Japan's WWII surrender, Digger then had to find young Japanese army men, and try to take them into custody, or just talk them into going home. However, this was made difficult because Japanese soldiers who survived and returned home were held in low regard. Most chose death instead. 'This was what upset Digger because he was dealing with these really young Japanese soldiers,' Jason said. 'Towards the end of the war, Japan was like Germany. They were using everyone–they'd run out of soldiers. 'So they started using young boys. 'And Digger had to kill them. Digger was telling Dad [Don] about this, and crying about it.' The One Who Didn't Return Meanwhile, Digger's brother, Frank, survived two 'death marches' in Sandakan, Malaysia, before Japanese soldiers took his life. The notorious death marches involved Allied prisoners of war being forced to march through dense tropical jungles of Borneo, often bare foot and malnourished. Approximately 2,000 died. Frank served as a Sapper, also known as a combat engineer, in the 2/10 Field Company Unit. 'I'm afraid that you will have to do the tough job of telling Dora [Frank's wife] of what I think Frank's fate is. I know you will all be deeply grieved. No doubt, both us have been reported missing,' Digger wrote. Frank Bryant, who survived two death marches during WWII in Sandakan, Malaysia, before Japanese soldiers took his life. Courtesy of Jason Bryant Don met his uncle Frank when he was just a young boy, before Frank was called up to serve in World War II. A hero of his, Don waited at Tresco train station, just south of Swan Hill, for many afternoons in the hope his affable uncle—who lived in Thornbury with his wife Dora—would return home. He never did. In Digger's letter home to his brother, Victor, or John as he called him, he wrote about how he would be forever impacted by the 'hell on earth' that he witnessed. 'And I don't think I'll ever be able to wipe what Singapore was, out of my mind,' he wrote. Don't Change the Date Jason Bryant says his late great uncles Frank and Digger are his heroes, just like they were to his father, Don. 'Frank would've suffered greatly on the Sandakan death march. And I look at that and think these guys need the recognition they deserve,' he said. 'All of our brave diggers do.' And this is why he will always be outspoken on keeping Australia Day on Jan. 26. Jason Bryant (L) during his peacekeeping service in East Timor. Courtesy of Jason Bryant The Nationality and Citizenship Act was passed federally on Jan. 26, 1949, creating Australian citizenship. It was a particularly crucial protection for Australian soldiers, with Bryant's great uncles Frank and Digger surrendered by the British at Singapore during WWII. 'Jan. 26 is extremely important to me … That's because the date is so important to me. And I've served this country for 35 years, and I will not back down on that,' Jason told The Epoch Times on Australia Day.
BBC News
01-03-2025
- General
- BBC News
Painting of Winston Churchill's hero goes on display at Chartwell
A restored painting gifted to Sir Winston Churchill to lift his spirits during World War Two goes on public display for the first portrait of the first Duke of Marlborough, who was known to be Churchill's ancestor and hero, was given to him by Lord Saltoun on 15 February followed the Fall of Singapore, which he deemed "the worst disaster" in British painting is on display at Churchill's family home, Chartwell in Westerham, Kent, which is now owned by the National Trust. Churchill's four-volume history of the Duke of Marlborough, written largely at Chartwell, was cited among the works for which he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature. Writing to Lord Saltoun, Churchill said: "It is exceedingly kind of you to offer me the portrait of the first Duke of Marlborough. I am greatly complimented by this kind thought and accept your offer with gratitude"I shall always value the picture not only in itself but also for the feelings so gracefully expressed in your letter."In reply, Lord Saltoun wrote: "I was sure that your sensitive ear and taste must have suffered and suffer even more and more often than my own, I ventured to offer it (the painting), and as I said before, I hope it may bring you good fortune." Initially thought to be a 19th Century copy of an early 18th Century painting, the artist is painting was previously in too poor condition to be displayed until a donation of £25,000 was received for its analysis and revealed that the painting dates back to the late 17th or early 18th curator, Katherine Carter, said: "The addition of the Duke of Marlborough painting enriches the collection and provides visitors with a more intimate glimpse into Churchill's life and legacy."She says it "underscores the emotional support and encouragement that sustained Churchill during the war".
Yahoo
12-02-2025
- Yahoo
Battle for Singapore 2025 from 15 Feb to 2 Mar with heritage tours
With Total Defence around the corner, commemorate the 83rd anniversary of the Fall of Singapore at Battle for Singapore 2025 from 15 Feb to 2 Mar. Organised by The Museum Roundtable (MR), a group of museums and heritage institutions and the National Heritage Board (NHB), the events include tours, talks, and exhibitions. These will highlight familiar and lesser-known stories and historical locations around Singapore during WWII. All programmes require prior registration. While you'll have to pay to attend some of the activities, a good number of them are free. Check out these highlights. If you have time in the evening to spare, the Fort Siloso Twilight Tour takes participants through the historic fortifications and the strategic areas of Fort Siloso. It is unique in that the guns originally pointed south to the sea, and were flipped to face northwards into mainland Singapore when the Japanese attacked by land via Malaya. Throughout the tour, learn more about the events leading to the decline of Singapore during World War II. As dusk falls, hear the stories of the soldiers and civilians who prepared for the war and enter preserved areas of the fort that played an important role in defending the country. Registration costs S$25 per person. 15 Feb – 2 Mar (weekends only) Sat & Sun: 6pm – 7.30pm Closed Mon to Fri Are you a nature lover and military geek? If so, join heritage veteran Jerome Lim on a trip to the sensitively reconstructed Cashin House at Lim Chu Kang Nature Park. The site witnessed some of the initial landings of the Japanese forces during World War II. This experience takes you into the minds of troops from both sides as they fought each other. It's an eye-opening peek into perspectives that you may not have considered before. While you are there, also explore the area's historical surroundings. Registration is free. 15 & 22 Feb 9am – 10.30am & 11am – 12.30pm Explore a soldier's kit with items from World War II and replicas owned by Alvin Lee, a local collector of WWI and WWII militaria, at war museum Reflections at Bukit Chandu. Discover what soldiers in the 1940s ate, how they groomed themselves, and the evolution of rations and hygiene kits from then to now. Every participant will get to bring home a mini World War II ration pack. Registration costs S$21.80 per adult-child pair and S$10.90 per adult. 15 Feb 10am – 11am for families with children aged 7 and above 11.30am – 12.30pm for those aged 16 and above Singapore HeritageFest 2024: Greatest number of activities post-COVID The post Battle for Singapore 2025 from 15 Feb to 2 Mar with heritage tours appeared first on
