No.C/MX 54645, Petty Officer (Supply), John Kenneth KING
Aged 25
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Born 28th December 1916 at 77 Valnay Street, Tooting, London (1st qtr 1917 Wandsworth 1d:1033) son of John Henry and Cecilia Annie KING
(née ENGLISH)
In 1939 his parents (father a boot repairer) and sister Doris were at 63 St.Andrews Street North, Bury St.Edmunds. |
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H.M.S.Tamar was a "stone frigate", ie a shore base, in Hong Kong - see below. Until 1941 it was actually a ship, but was scuttled to prevent her being used
by the Japanese. The PoW card indicates he was captured on Christmas Day 1941. He met his death when being transported to Japan for forced labour. He was
aboard the Lisbon Maru when she was torpedoed by the US Submarine "Grouper". Carrying 1816 Allied prisoners, the vessel took nearly 24 hours to sink, during which time many of the Allied prisoners on board
were shot attempting to save themselves. Many were trapped below decks. It is estimated that eventually all bar about 100 did get off the ship, but at least 800 were killed
by the Japanese, drowned or were taken by sharks. The American submarine had no idea the Lisbon Maru was carrying prisoners of war, no such signals being flown.
The only Japanese who had survived — or could be tracked down — and put on trial was the captain of the ship, who received seven years imprisonment for allowing the hatches of the holds to be battened down.
click here to go to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website for full cemetery/memorial details |
