BORNEO: THE JAPANESE P.O.W. CAMPSA postal history by Neville Watterson The book is based upon an article by Ivor Purden originally published in the Stamp News and on additional information published in the Sarawak Journal in 1985. Further research in many original sources has unearthed more information on both the inward and the outward mail from these camps, substantiated by facts from ex-P.O.W. and widows of former P.O.W. Two other contributors have added their own specialised information. The surprising fact that mail was distributed to these camps via a P.0.W. unit at Changi, Singapore, is set out in some detail, and attention is given to its transmission to and from Singapore, which has a relevance to other camps such as those in Burma and Thailand. In order to put the P.O.W. into perspective, a short background history of pre-war Japanese activities, the abortive attempt to defend Sarawak and the Dutch East Indies, followed by the subsequent re-occupation by the 9th Australian Division are given and add considerably to the narrative of the occupation period. The book consists of twelve chapters. A major chapter on The Japanese P.O.W. Postcards, comprising 46 pages describes and illustrates the different types of cards issued at both Sandakan and Kuching, followed by a discussion of their scarcity. Another chapter is devoted to the connection with Changi and includes detailed information on the inward mail of the two Borneo camps. Copiously illustrated with maps, contemporary photographs, postcards and covers. The book is quarto size, (8 ins x 10 ins, or 20.3 cm x 25.4 cm) with card covers, xiv + 137 pages, 75 full page illustrations plus several in the text. ISBN 0 9514951 0 0. Price: £13 + £1.50 p&p. This book has received the following awards: Stampex / BPE 1989: Silver.
Obtainable from: W. N. Watterson
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