Seven: Squadron Quartermaster Sergeant C. J. Ewer, Royal Signals - a prisoner-of-war of the Japanese who undertook minor acts of sabotage

India General Service 1908-35, 1 clasp, North West Frontier 1935 (2320947 Sgln., R. Signals); India General Service 1936-39, 1 clasp, North West Frontier 1936-37 (2320947 Sgln., R. Signals); 1939-45 Star; Pacific Star; War Medal 1939-45, these unnamed; General Service 1918-62, 1 clasp, Malaya, G.VI.R. (2320947 W.O. Cl. 2, R. Sigs.) first four digits officially corrected; Army L.s. & G.C., G.VI.R., 2nd issue, Regular Army (2320947 S.Q.M.S., R. Sigs.) mounted as worn, very fine (7) £400-500

Charles John Ewer was born in Coventry on 31 May 1911. By the time of the Second World War his next of kin address was at 5, Park Street, Cleethorpes, Lincolnshire. Charles enlisted in the Royal Signals on 30 December 1930. On the capitulation of Singapore Colony on 15 February 1942, he was captured and became a prisoner-of-war of the Japanese. As verified by his P.O.W. debrief, he was transported to Thailand and worked on the notorious ‘Railway of Death’. There, at great danger to himself, he participated in acts of sabotage against his captors, including; ‘Obstructions on railway bridge building. Introduction of foreign matter into oil and grease passages ... and on air compressors. Failed (?) to understand Japanese orders.’ He also mentioned in the same debrief the bravery of Lieutenant T. Douglas, Royal Signals, for maintaining radio reception for news throughout 1942-45, ‘regardless of the threat of extremely violent physical and mental punishment.’ 

Sold together with hard-copy set of recipients Far East Prisoner of War questionnaire, and Japanese POW Card.