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Yahoo
5 days ago
- Lifestyle
- Yahoo
Island man tells of bravery of parents both awarded MBE in Far East
A RETIRED engineer could well be the the only living Isle of Wight resident whose parents were both awarded the MBE for their bravery and work during and just after the Second World War. Don Webber, of Bembridge, who spent most of his childhood in Malaya, is set to commemorate the 80th anniversary of VJ Day this summer and has shared his parents' stories of bravery in the Far East during conflicts. His parents, Donald and Patricia Webber, were rubber planters in colonial British Malaya, during a time when the Japanese began advancing into the peninsula before war broke out. After hostilities in the Far East began against Japan, Don's father joined the Malay Regiment as a second lieutenant, but was captured at the fall of Singapore in 1942. Patricia Webber was awarded the MBE in 1953, after being named on the newly-crowned Queen Elizabeth II's first birthday honours list. (Image: Don Webber) He became a British prisoner of war (POW), on the infamous Burma-Thailand Railway, nicknamed the 'Death Railway', at Nakom Nayok Camp in Thailand, between November 1942 and August 1945. His mother, an ex-nurse, managed to escape, with six-month-old sister Anna, on one of the last ships to leave Singapore before its fall, ironically named The Empress of Japan. The ship, bound for Liverpool, was targeted by Japanese bombers, but somehow managed to evade being sunk. Both Donald and Patricia received the MBE after the war. Patricia Webber with baby Anna after arriving at Liverpool, having taken one of the last ships out of Singapore two weeks before the surrender to the Japanese army. (Image: Don Webber) Don said: "My father, emaciated during his time in a POW camp, was reunited with my mother when war ended. "He weighed only five stone when he got back to England. It took him months to recover." Despite the grim, harsh conditions, Don's father bravely managed to run a secret radio in the POW camp, which he used to keep fellow prisoners informed of the news. Don added: "With my uncle Max, an intelligence officer, they ran a secret radio. It was a beheading offence if caught. "But sharing news gave fellow prisoners a feeling of morale. Bembridge man Don Webber as a child growing up in Malaya (Image: Don Webber) "Bits and pieces of radio were found, on their marches up to the POW camp, which were carefully secreted away in a water bottle." In a recording held by the Imperial War Museum, Don's father spoke of his actions in the camp. He said: "After two or three days, we got the radio going and, from then on, Max and I distributed the news throughout the camp and others along the railway. "In all, we managed to produce 703 news bulletins — but security had to be better than better. The Japanese were very strict on searches." His father was awarded the MBE in 1946 from King George IV, for his bravery during the war. Bembridge man Don Webber could be the only Islander whose parents both received the MBE (Image: Don Webber) After the war ended, Don's parents returned to Malaya to continue their work on a rubber plantation, with his father managing the estate for British company, Guthrie's. Don's mother also received the honour in 1953, in recognition of her public service in Malaya. Read more: Nuclear weapons test vet Ron to attend Island Remembrance Service with new medal "I'm still going" jokes war hero Alec at huge 100th birthday bash Last of Isle of Wight VJ Day servicemen Harry Aitken remembered Patricia was on Queen Elizabeth II's first birthday honours list after her coronation. "She was known for her cheerfulness and in her helping the locals on the estate. Being an ex-nurse, she would dress wounds," said Don. "She worked for the police while the 'Malaya Emergency' was going on." The family lived near the jungle, close to where communist insurgents were active and murdering people, during the Malaya Emergency uprising in 1948. Rubber plantations and police stations were targeted during that time, bringing Don's parents right into the firing line. Donald said: "My mother was attacked twice. "On both occasions, while being transported in a car, she was shot at, but survived both attempts, uninjured." Don spent his childhood in Malaya until 1960, before moving to the Isle of Wight 25 years ago. When he was aged 16, Don joined the army's Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers as an apprentice in electronics. Don went on to teach electronics and spent 14 years in the army, rising to the rank of staff sergeant. He spent his career in the UK, Germany and also Libya, in the days before dictator, Col Gaddafi, came to power. Don went on to run a recruitment agency for electronics and computer engineers, then retired to the Island. "I brought my wife Gill to the Island to look at the place — and she fell in love with it," said Don. "I decided to take early retirement and make the move to Bembridge, where I've lived ever since." Gill died in 2016. Don plans to mark this year's VJ Day in remembrance of his parents' bravery in the Far East. VJ Day is celebrated nationally on Friday, August 15.
Edinburgh Reporter
28-05-2025
- Health
- Edinburgh Reporter
Charity cycle for PoppyScotland
A group of six military rehab specialists will embark on an epic 530-mile charity cycle in aid of veterans' charity Poppyscotland next week. Known as the Rehab Rollers, they aim to complete their challenge in just six days, leaving from Redford Barracks in Edinburgh on Saturday, 31 May, stopping at nine rehabilitation centres located across the country. These include Faslane, Kinlochleven, Fort George, Lossiemouth, Arbroath and returning to Edinburgh on 5 June. The keen cyclists, who help to rehabilitate injured tri-service personnel, will also place commemorative poppy wreaths at every location they visit to mark 80 years since VE Day and the approaching 80th anniversary of VJ Day. Gordon McKay, is Clinical Lead Physiotherapist at Redford Barracks, and he is taking part in the challenge. He said: 'We have chosen to do this in aid of Poppyscotland because a lot of the people who come through us we aim to get back into full deployable service, but there are some unfortunate souls who don't make it back and when they leave the service they may well find themselves relying on some of the veterans' charities located in Scotland. So, we thought we would raise some money to help those charities whilst also challenging ourselves and cycling is something we all really enjoy, so it seemed the perfect thing for us to do. 'We have prepared with lots of cycling as a team and solo rides at the weekend and generally trying to get as much time on the saddle as possible. I'm sure there will be blood, sweat and tears but we massively appreciate any donation you can give. 'We're proud to support Poppyscotland and help our veterans. Together, we can make a difference.' All funds raised by Poppyscotland are used helping men, women and families with issues linked to their time in the Armed Forces or with struggles adjusting from military to civilian life. To donate to the Rehab Rollers visit their JustGiving page at Or to find out more about the charity, please visit Like this: Like Related
Cambrian News
24-05-2025
- General
- Cambrian News
Ponterwyd's Red Kite Cafe Raffle Raises £300
He added: 'We will be looking to do further events throughout the year, and shall be doing a similar event to this in August this year, as it will be the 80th Anniversary of the end of the war - VJ Day -again raising money for a charity!
South Wales Argus
20-05-2025
- General
- South Wales Argus
Chris Evans MP on CWGC appointment and importance of remembrance
For those who are not familiar with the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC), the organisation was founded more than 100 years ago in 1917 to commemorate the fallen during the First World War. Since then, it has expanded to include the more than 1.7 million men and women from across the commonwealth who died during the two world wars. The CWGC has a global impact. It works on behalf of the governments of the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, India and South Africa in its mission. Some of the most important activities of the CWGC are to mark, record, and maintain military graves and sites of commemoration across the commonwealth. In total, it looks after more than 12,000 sites across at least 150 countries and territories. The reason I am so honoured by this appointment is because of how important it is we remember the fallen over the two world wars, across the Commonwealth. In Caerphilly, Penyrheol cemetery alone contains 19 war graves from the First World War, and 28 from the Second World War. There are many others. Only recently we came together to remember and commemorate the 80th anniversary of VE Day, holding a two minute silence in respect and reverence for those who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country. The events that were held across the country and locally demonstrate the strength of our commitment to honouring and remembering our war dead. War is a terrible thing, and we can only truly appreciate that by diligently reminding ourselves of the almost unbearable costs of conflict. It is also important that we ensure our children and young people learn and understand the sacrifices their forebears made for them, to ensure the freedoms we all enjoy to this day. The CWGC runs many educational projects including a virtual Wall of Remembrance, and regular live talks hosted online on many different topics. They also hold events and talks that explore the important contributions made by commonwealth forces in the two world wars, including in the Far East as part of the 75th anniversary of VJ Day. I am looking forward to working as a Commonwealth War Graves Commissioner over the coming years, and I feel the profound sense of duty that it brings. I would encourage everyone to visit the CWGC website to find out more about its important work, and how to support it. The website can be found at: Chris Evans is MP for Caerphilly.
The National
14-05-2025
- Business
- The National
Indian restaurant owner takes on historic Prestonpans pub
In January, the licensees of "the Goth", on the town's High Street, announced the "tough decision" to close. After a public meeting, a "unanimous" decision was made to keep the premises, which dates back to 1908, "for eating out locally and for family and social events". And it has now been confirmed that the team behind the Bombay Lounge in Dalkeith will be opening an Indian restaurant at the Goth. Bombay Lounge opened 15 years ago and has received many awards, including at the Scottish Curry Awards in April. Michael Singh, 52, owner of Bombay Lounge has enjoyed 35 years of experience in the hospitality trade. He told the East Lothian Courier that the new restaurant at the Goth would be named Bombay Bar & Grill. An Indian restaurant is set to open at the Prestoungrange Gothenburg (Image: NQ Staff) Singh said: "We are bringing a multi-award-winning team to the Bombay Bar & Grill in Prestonpans and we are very excited for it. "Prestonpans is a good platform for us because East Lothian is a great catchment area, but we just want to make sure that East Lothian is ready for us because people may have already experienced our first restaurant in Dalkeith. "We are hoping to be open end of June or start of July and we are working hard on the menu, which will consist of a lot of modern Indian grill food with the addition of takeaway as well." When open, the restaurant is expected to have about 20 members of staff, with jobs such as kitchen porters, delivery drivers and bar staff anticipated to be advertised soon. Rahat Hasan Chowdhury and Qazi Yousef Sumon, both from Bangladesh and co-managers of Bombay Lounge for five years, will continue their roles in the new Prestonpans venture. Rahat, 22, said: "I am excited. "The team at Bombay Lounge will be same team in Prestonpans and that means there will be some familiar faces. "It is the same job but will be challenging as a new business and I am looking forward to it." The restaurant will be open six days a week, Tuesday to Sunday, 3-10pm. At these times, the bar, restaurant and upstairs lounge will be open, with a takeaway service available in addition. Gordon Prestoungrange, for the Baron Courts, owners of the Gothenburg, said: 'It's a big challenge for them both to honour the heritage of the Gothenburg and to offer excellent service for the community in their own distinctive Indian style. "Those who have visited their award-winning restaurant in Dalkeith will know just how successful they have been there for many years and their enthusiasm at their arrival in the Pans is infectious. 'They are keen to learn from Panners how they can honour all the Gothenburg has meant and still means after nearly 120 years on our High Street. "Suggestions and ideas before and after they open the doors again will always be welcomed. "One readily apparent celebration all can join on August 15 will be VJ Day – remembering that World War II, in which all the Indian subcontinent was engaged, continued well after VE Day here in Europe. "And never forget that India has great heritage with the pipes and tartan, and a not-inconsiderable Scottish diaspora.'
