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92752
Brig Inf (Corporal)
Jan Hamelink
1911/06/11 - Born Terneuzen, Zeeland
Netherlands Army
Japanese PoW
1942/03/08 - Captured Bandung, Java
PoW No. 4205
1943/01/15 - Transported oversea in Harugiku Maru with Java Party 9 to Singapore,
1943/02/02 - Transported overland to Thailand, train 45
New PoW No. II 8888
1944 - Transported back to Singapore
1944/07/04 - Transported oversea in Hofuku Maru with Japan Party 2
The Hofuku Maru sailed from Singapore to Miri, Borneo as part of convoy SHIMI-05. The convoy consisted of 10 ships, 5 of which carried, in total, 5,000 POWs, all in appalling conditions.
At Borneo, the Hofuku Maru left the convoy with engine problems, and sailed on to the Philippines, arriving on 19th July. She remained in Manila until mid-September while the engines were repaired. The POWs remained on board, suffering terribly from disease, hunger, and thirst.
On September 20, 1944, the Hofuku Maru and 10 other ships formed Convoy MATA-27, and sailed from Manila to Japan. The following morning, the convoy was attacked 80 miles north of Corregidor by more than 100 American carrier planes. All eleven ships in the convoy were sunk. Of those on the Hofuku Maru, 1047 of the 1289 British and Dutch POWs on board died.
Died
Age 33
21st September 1944
When the Hofuku Maru was sunk North of Corregidor
Information
Jack Hamelink - Nephew
Japanese Transports
Java Parties
Hofuku Maru
KEW Files:- WO 361/2002, WO 361/1525, WO 361/1956,
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