COFEPOW or Children of Far Eastern Prisoners of War was a group set up in the mid 1990s. At that time there were still many FEPOWs alive and it gave many the opportunity to others who had similar experiences. It was also an opportunity for their children to understand more about the appalling conditions that their parent or parents endured during that terrible time.

The majority of the POWs were servicemen but it should be remembered that there were also women taken captive by the Japanese and while the men are used as forced labour many of the women were raped at gunpoint. The actions of the Japanese military has never been forgiven by all those either directly or indirectly involved.

The COFEPOW membership is very extensive and details can be found on their website.

www.cofepow.org.uk

The HQ is based at Alrewas in National Memorial Arboretum which is set in 150 acres, has over 300 memorials and an abundance of trees and wildlife. COFEPOW has a building which echoes the chapel at Changi and has a section of the Burma Railway as a memorial to those who lost their lives. All of those who lost their lives are recorded on a central database which is continually being updated.

The NMA website is www.thenma.org.uk

It should also be noted that the BBC are presenting a special programme, marking the 75th anniversary of VJ Day. There will a National Moment of Remembrance at 11.00 am on the 15th August, in the presence of a number of VVips, at the National Memorial Arboretum (NMA), This will form the centrepiece of a two hour long programme to be broadcast on BBC One from 9.30 to 11.30 am from the veranda of the FEPOW building.