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D/SSX13733
Able Seaman
Herbert Grimshaw
Royal Navy
HMS Exeter
Japanese PoW
Taken prisoner by the Japanese after the Battle of the Java Sea.
Japanese Index Card - Side One
Japanese Index Card - Side Two
Poem dedicated to Cornelis Antonie de Jong in Macassar
Recollections
by
Herbert Grimshaw
(4th July 1942)
When the sun rises , o’er Makasser’s isle
Frequent surmises raise in me a smile
To think of the days most happy and free
So will I always a friend to you be.
You need not explain your disadvantage
I feel far from vain when my ills I gauge
If we two were free and gathered no moss
How strange it would be, how great thus my loss.
For we should never have met so it seems
Yet I shall ever remember our schemes
To consolidate the Dutch and English
Why all this hate? Is this what we wish?
We will not digress, hate thrives in our fold
This gross wickedness seems increased tenfold
Yet, we are fine friends, perhaps we inspire in others, amends?
Of this please enquire.
I am so grateful that you I have met
And ever thankful til my sun shall set
All you meant to me throughout those long years
In my memory steadfastly adheres.
Remember those days we argued in vain?
Folks thought from our ways we were not quite sane
But we knew just the great importance
Discover we must the big difference
Between you and me, your country and mine
And so try to see some promising sign
Warmer unity, with each from now on.
Cordial entente between everyone.
As we found content, comfort, pleasure too
Fond thoughts with intent I fostered for you
Succour & wisdom, honour & pure trust
When all’s said and done, confess it I must.
And you were not slow, not unresponsive
To the transient glow that my heart can give
So think of me when the years have rolled on
And think of me then as more than ‘someone’€
Think of me kindly & without restraint
Seek such thoughts blindly, your soul they’ll not taint
Of as mutually with mine they remain
So eventually we’ll both feel the gain.
And what should befall, it matters nought
We gave each our all-such friends are not bought
Nor staunch yet their zeal, nor pregnant their zest
Of things they can’t feel deep down in their breast.
Died
Died at Makassar of Cerebral Malaria.
Age 27
14th August 1942
Loved Ones
Son of James and Jane Alice Grimshaw; husband of Sarah Grimshaw, of Royton, Lancashire.
Memorial
30. A. 3.
AMBON WAR CEMETERY
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