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10540249
Craftsman
Frederick John Baxter
Known as John
1919/02/19 - Born London
Son of John Ronald and Ethel Maud Baxter
1942/03/21 - Enlisted
Royal Engineers
att. 77th HAA R.A.O.C.
Japanese PoW
1942/03/08 - Captured Garoet, Java
PoW No. 612
Japanese Index Card - Side One
Japanese Index Card - Side Two
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Date
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Camp
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Commander
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1942/03/08
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Priok, Batavia
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Col. Lane, 15th Punjab
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1942/05/09
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Batavia Hospital
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Capt. Smitt, N.E.I.
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1942/09/20
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Gloduk, Batavia
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1943/07
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Tjimahi, Java
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Col. Roleofsen, N.E.I.
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1943/09/11
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Transported to Singapore in Java Party 16, Harugiku Maru
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1943/09/20
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Transported Singapore to Japan in Sieshin Maru
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1943/10/13
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Kamo, Kyushu, Japan
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Capt. Williams, R.A.
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PoW No. 30328
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John witnessed the Nagasaki atomic bombings from 40 miles away and describes feeling the scorched wind from the blast.
1945/09/02 - Liberated Japan
Post War
John developed a long-running friendship with Hyato Hirano after the guard showed unusual kindness by smuggling extra food rations made by his wife to the starving prisoners.
The men stayed in touch following his release in 1945, with numerous letters exchanged between the pair, culminating in John visiting the former guard in Japan in 1995 for an emotional VJ-Day anniversary reunion.
Their friendship continued until the death of Mr Hirano in 2009, shortly after he sent a 90th birthday card to his former prisoner from his hometown in southern Japan to the UK.
In 2010 John published a book describing his wartime experiences called ‘Missing, Believed Killed’, in which he describes in detail his time in captivity including his friendship with Mr Hirano.
John explained his friendship with Mr Hirano - "If someone in our gang was not feeling well, Hirano would tell him to go and rest by the warmth of the furnace that was kept going in the workshop, stay there until the end of the shift and be excused from work for the day.'
Died
Age 97
February 2017
Much loved father of John, Vanessa and Michael, Grandad to Lizzie and Charlotte, Great Granddad to George. Sadly missed by family, friends
A funeral and celebration of his life was held at Holy Trinity, Trowbridge on Friday 10th March 2017
Inquest Into John’s Death
A Coroner wrote to Wiltshire Police following the conclusion of an inquest into the death of John, a former Japanese prisoner of war at a Westbury care home.
John, was found dead in a narrow alleyway between two courtyards at the Redland Lane home, which specialised in caring for people living with dementia.
Mr Rheinberg said an unfortunate set of circumstances had conspired to result in Mr Baxter’s tragic death at the home just six days short of his 98th birthday.
John had wandered outside in a confused state through an unlocked door, the care home was severely understaffed on the night he went missing, and two busy night duty staff had failed to make regular checks on all residents.
Information
The Telegraph
Wiltshire Times
Java Index - http://www.roll-of-honour.org.uk/Java_Index/
KEW:- WO 361/2217, WO 392/23, WO 361/1254, WO 345/4,
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