Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

10 October 1945

From a Special Staff Reporter.

Intense Loyalty Built Up

Tasmanians imprisoned in Changi camp, Singapore, were active ambassadors for their State. They found intense interest in the island among other internees. The story was told by 16 Tasmanians who reached Sydney today in the Largs Bay, which carried 534 released war prisoners.

THEY received a tumultuous welcome to which they responded with a rousing "Oy! Oy!Oy!" a cry evolved in Changi to attract attention to Allied bombers raiding Singapore. The ties binding the Tasmanians might best be described as clannish.

Comparatively few in numbers, they were intensely loyal to each other, and have developed an imperishable comradeship binding them as closely as blood ties.

Their regular meetings - they were held nightly in Changi and at least weekly in Siam - were the signal for cries of "The apples are on" from men of other States.
At these meetings they talked of Tasmania, watched each others interests, and planned holidays together when they got home.

Lt J. W. Gillies, of Lambert Ave., Sandy Bay, who has a young son he has not yet seen, told me the interest in Tasmania throughout the camps was general.
It was keenest among English and Dutch civilian internees who saw in Tasmania a place where they might settle in peace. "Our knowledge of Tasmania's products, geography, manufactures, living conditions, and prospects was fully tested by inquirers," he said.

S-Sgt G. S. Copeland, formerly a chemist at Ulverstone, said he gave 15 lectures on Tasmania to hundreds of listeners who were so curious about the island that he
composed a guide book containing all the information he could recall, and illustrated with maps.

The fine spirit among the Tasmanians was exemplified by contributions from each man's meagre pay towards little comforts they could buy their sick. This gesture meant real sacrifice to them.

Men on the Largs Bay paid warm tributes to Lt Gillies, and claimed that Lt T. G. Pearsall, of Kingston, who returned yesterday in the Esperance Bay, had earned
a citation for his constant and unselfish work for his men.

Took Risks For Them

"Lt Pearsall was father and mother to the Tasmanian group in Changi and with a force on the Burma railway," said a Tasmanian today. "He took risks to scrounge food for his men, and often took the blame and punishment for things done by others, and regarded by the Japs as misdemeanours."

When Dick Findlay, of Devonport, died. Lt Pearsall, who had helped Findlay in every way in his power, mustered a parade of Tasmanians for the funeral. Each man turned out in the best clothes at his disposal, and the Japs, who were then beginning to realise the turn of events, provided an armed guard of honour.

Lt Gillies almost lost his life when he was struck over the head by a guard when crossing a flooded stream in Siam. He was rescued by a warrant
officer.

Pte H. Davis, of Smithton, is one of the few who contracted cholera and survived.
Cholera is a disease which saps the system so that a man becomes unrecognisable quickly. Davis said he lost 4st. in weight in about two hours. He was captain of Devonport High School football team and played for Smithton.

All the Tasmanians are well except Sig Lloyd Phillips, of Stanley, who has had an attack of malaria, but was able to walk off the ship.

The men said the presence of Tasmanian nursing sisters in Singapore after their release was a tonic to them.

Extract From: The Mercury (Hobart)