Press Release

Remembrance Travels to the Far East in September

31 August 2005

The Royal British Legion’s Remembrance Travel continues to remember The Forgotten War in the Far East with a series of pilgrimages between 9 – 16th September, including commemorative services to mark the surrender of the Japanese.    

Remembrance Travel, the leading tour operator to war cemeteries and battlefields in the East, has arranged group visits to Hong Kong, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia and Japan.  There will be services in the war cemeteries of each country at which veterans and relatives can pay tribute.  The largest group is going to Singapore, where, on 12th September 1945, the surrender of the Japanese forces in South-east Asiato the British was formally taken.  The 60th anniversary commemorations will include a Service of Remembrance at KranjiWarCemeteryand the unveiling of a memorial to HMS Repulse and HMS Prince of Wales, at Sembawang Wharf, close to where the ships last sailed from.

In Malaysia there will be a special ceremony at sea, directly above the sea graves of the 840 sailors aboard battle cruiser HMS Repulse and battleship HMS Prince of Wales, which were sunk off Malayaby Japanese air attacks on 10th December 1941. 

Head of Remembrance Travel, Piers Storie-Pugh says that the War in the Far Eastwas the longest campaign of WWII and probably the hardest fought: “It is a misconception in the minds of many that the events in the East only consisted of a short term defiance of Hong Kong, Singaporeand Malayafollowed by years of brutal captivity. That is true but only in part; for whilst this was going on a vast army under General Slim was taking to the field, following the longest retreat in history. The subsequent victory through difficult country, in a  hostile climate, against a professional and fanatical enemy made this campaign a nightmare from beginning to end, and one worthy of far more recognition back home’’

“Remembrance Travel is for everyone – those who have lost a loved one or friend in a conflict, as well as those who simply wish to acknowledge the efforts of those who served.  It’s very  moving to see these people at the grave of their loved ones, or to help them visit  places where they served so many years ago.  This is our core business.  The emotions and memories have often been frozen in time because life has to go on.   For most it is the ambition of a lifetime.”

Piers is justly proud that Remembrance Travel has worked continuously for 20 years to take Remembrance to often remote areas of the Far East.  “We are privileged to have had the opportunity to help so many pilgrims and we hope that those who feel sad that either their efforts, or the efforts of their loved ones who fell in battle, receive so little acknowledgement compared with the Western Theatres will now realise that they are not forgotten, certainly not by us.”

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