Description
Object description
Papers regarding his Second World War service in the Federated Malay States Volunteer Forces (FMSVF) and as a prisoner of war of the Japanese, comprising: Fragmentary 'letter journal' (72pp ms) written during his captivity in Changi prisoner of war camp, Singapore, begun in May 1942 and addressed to his wife, giving a detailed account of various aspects of his experiences before and after capture when Singapore fell to the Japanese in February 1942 (his wife had got away from the colony in late January 1942 with other evacuees aboard the USS WEST POINT, which took them to Ceylon), expressing at length his concern for her safety and the wellbeing of his family in his absence (not knowing at that time what had happened to them since their evacuation), his wishes and plans for their future after the war, his own condition in the early period of captivity, an account of events during the fighting for Singapore prior to his capture and the circumstances in which he was made a POW, first experiences of Changi camp, also recording the fate or current whereabouts of many family and professional acquiantances in Malaya, his thoughts on the causes of the British defeat in Malaya and Singapore, a lengthy exposition of his financial and business affairs for his wife's benefit, should he not survive the war (Faber was a successful businessman in Kuala Lumpur before the oubreak of hostilities), his departure from Changi in late October 1942 for the Burma-Thailand Railway, presumably as part of 'U Party' led by Lt Col S Mackeller FMSVF, based principally at "Kanu" (Konyu / Kanyu) camp until June 1943 when he was moved to Tarsao camp in a party of sick POWs (having contracted malaria and dysentery), onwards to Chungkai (October 1943) and Tamuang (May 1944), the journal ending in January 1945 at Nakom Paton / Pathon camp; 4 POW postcards sent by Faber to his family from Thailand during 1944, and 6 letters to Faber by family members and acquaintances, 1942 – 1946, including one from his young son Henry (July 1942); long letter (30pp ms) dated October 1945 in which Faber outlines his experiences between February 1942 and the time of writing, most of the letter describing his time on the Burma-Thailand Railway and the eventful journey to rejoin his family in southern India at the end of the war; miscellaneous associated papers, mostly concerning his financial affairs (with particular reference to the official requisitioning in February 1942 of private cars owned by Faber).
Content description
Papers regarding his Second World War service in the Federated Malay States Volunteer Forces (FMSVF) and as a prisoner of war of the Japanese, comprising: Fragmentary 'letter journal' (72pp ms) written during his captivity in Changi prisoner of war camp, Singapore, begun in May 1942 and addressed to his wife, giving a detailed account of various aspects of his experiences before and after capture when Singapore fell to the Japanese in February 1942 (his wife had got away from the colony in late January 1942 with other evacuees aboard the USS WEST POINT, which took them to Ceylon), expressing at length his concern for her safety and the wellbeing of his family in his absence (not knowing at that time what had happened to them since their evacuation), his wishes and plans for their future after the war, his own condition in the early period of captivity, an account of events during the fighting for Singapore prior to his capture and the circumstances in which he was made a POW, first experiences of Changi camp, also recording the fate or current whereabouts of many family and professional acquiantances in Malaya, his thoughts on the causes of the British defeat in Malaya and Singapore, a lengthy exposition of his financial and business affairs for his wife's benefit, should he not survive the war (Faber was a successful businessman in Kuala Lumpur before the oubreak of hostilities), his departure from Changi in late October 1942 for the Burma-Thailand Railway, presumably as part of 'U Party' led by Lt Col S Mackeller FMSVF, based principally at "Kanu" (Konyu / Kanyu) camp until June 1943 when he was moved to Tarsao camp in a party of sick POWs (having contracted malaria and dysentery), onwards to Chungkai (October 1943) and Tamuang (May 1944), the journal ending in January 1945 at Nakom Paton / Pathon camp; 4 POW postcards sent by Faber to his family from Thailand during 1944, and 6 letters to Faber by family members and acquaintances, 1942 – 1946, including one from his young son Henry (July 1942); long letter (30pp ms) dated October 1945 in which Faber outlines his experiences between February 1942 and the time of writing, most of the letter describing his time on the Burma-Thailand Railway and the eventful journey to rejoin his family in southern India at the end of the war; miscellaneous associated papers, mostly concerning his financial affairs (with particular reference to the official requisitioning in February 1942 of private cars owned by Faber).
History note
Cataloguer SWW
