Trove Tuesday: Mother's Day 1943

In 1967 the Australian Women's Weekly held a Mother's Day story-writing competition, for 'The Best Mother's Day I've Had'.

The contest prompted many letters to the editor. One, from Harry Thorpe,  a former Army Padre, wrote about a Mother's Day he had spent in a Japanese POW camp.

His letter caught the attention of my grandfather's cousin John de Crespigny (1908-1995).

de Crespigny, who in 1943 had been a Major interned in the same camp, wrote to Thorpe recalling the occasion.

His letter was reproduced in the Women's Weekly a month later.

Prizewinning letters in our "Best Mother's Day" Contest. (1967, May 17). The Australian Women's Weekly (1933 - 1982), p. 55. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article47121756

AN ECHO FROM MOTHER'S DAY, 1943— IN A POW CAMP. (1967, June 28). The Australian Women's Weekly (1933 - 1982), p. 14. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article42114056

Related post:

• Sepia Saturday 192 : John Chauncy Champion de Crespigny (1908 - 1995)

E is for Exile

George Napier Sprod (1919 - 2003) was my second cousin twice removed on the Cudmore side of my family, one of my grandmother's many second cousins. His grandmother Sara Cudmore was the sister of James Francis Cudmore, my grandmother Kathleen's grandfather.

George Sprod in 1945 from CARTOONS OF LIFE IN PRISON CAMPS. (1945, November 17). The Australian Women's Weekly (1933 - 1982), p. 12. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article55465755

 George Sprod enlisted in the Australian Army in 1940. He put his age up by one year. His mother was his next of kin. He served as a gunner with the 2/15 Field Regiment.

World war 2 nominal roll entry for George Sprod retrieved from http://www.ww2roll.gov.au/Veteran.aspx?serviceId=A&veteranId=152553

 The 2/15th Field Regiment were in Singapore from mid 1941. They served in Malaya and in January 1942 provided artillery support for the infantry withdrawal along the Malayan Peninsula towards Singapore. In February 1942 the British forces in Singapore surrendered to the Japanese. Members of the 2/15th were imprisoned at Changi. The War Memorial's history records

members of the 2/15th found themselves members of parties bound for the camps along the Thailand-Burma Railway and in Borneo, Japan, French Indochina, Java, Sumatra, and Malaya. These men endured the worst horrors of Japanese captivity. Of the 556 officers and men who became prisoners, 294 died. The surviving prisoners were liberated in late August 1945 and began returning to Australia almost immediately.

As a child George Sprod submitted drawings, stories, and short articles to the Adelaide Mail newspaper. For example,

Fairyland of the Fungi. (1933, July 8). The Mail (Adelaide, SA : 1912 - 1954), p. 2 Supplement: SUNBEAMS. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article58623064

Old Ship. (1933, July 22). The Mail (Adelaide, SA : 1912 - 1954), p. 3 Supplement: SUNBEAMS. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article58626325

He went to Sydney to try his luck as a cartoonist , riding his bicycle as far as Hay, New South Wales, a distance of about 400 miles (660 kilometers ). There he sold his bicycle and continued the rest of the way by train. He had various jobs before enlisting in the army.

As a prisoner in Changi Singapore, Sprod met the English cartoonist Ronald Searle (1920-2011). In September 1944 they founded and produced the fortnightly magazine "Exile". There were ten issues. After a few numbers of the Exile Sprod decided that he would like to produce a journal with Australian appeal, which he called"Smoke-Oh" which ran for two issues only.

Illustration by Ronald Searle from the FEPOW (Far East prisoners of war) magazine 'Exile', September 1944. Image retrieved from http://ronaldsearle.blogspot.com.au/2008/02/changi-gaol-2.html

Cover of the second edition of "Smoke-Oh" from February 1945 with three candles representing the three years that they had been held prisoner of war. From Smoke-oh. (1945, November 17). The Australian Women's Weekly (1933 - 1982), p. 12. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article55465753

One of the cartoons that appeared in Smoke-Oh and was reproduced in the Australian Women's Weekly from CARTOONS OF LIFE IN PRISON CAMPS. (1945, November 17). The Australian Women's Weekly (1933 - 1982), p. 12. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article55465755

 Sprod and Searle also painted murals in a club within the Sime Road camp.

SECRET WIRELESS SET. (1945, October 12). Cairns Post (Qld. : 1909 - 1954), p. 5. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article42454880

 When he returned from the war George Sprod and his brothers made a short film called Christmas Crackers, re-enacting the family reunion when George and his brothers and brother-in-law returned from the war. The film is now held by the National Film and Sound Archive.

George Sprod in a screenshot from Christmas Crackers

George also gave an interview to the Australian Women's Weekly and wrote about his experiences for the Sydney Morning Herald, both articles illustrated with some of his cartoons.

After the war George Sprod was a successful cartoonist, eventually working for Punch magazine.

Nearly forty years after his experiences as a prisoner he wrote a memoir which again looked at the humorous side of life as a prisoner, though it did not overlook the misery and cruelty.

Sprod, George (1981). Bamboo round my shoulder : Changi, the lighter side. Kangaroo Press, Kenthurst [N.S.W.] copy held by the State Library of Victoria

George Sprod died in Sydney in 2003.



Sources

• CARTOONS OF LIFE IN PRISON CAMPS. (1945, November 17). The Australian Women's Weekly (1933 - 1982), p. 12. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article55465755 
• 2/15th Field Regiment Australian War Memorial History https://www.awm.gov.au/unit/U54405/
• Valerie Grove (6 May 2010). So Much To Tell. Penguin Books Limited. pp. 25 retrieved from https://books.google.com.au/books?id=yVjvi7lhBVoC&pg=PP25
• Jones, Matt. "Changi Gaol 2." Ronald Searle Tribute. Matt Jones, 26 Feb. 2008. <http://ronaldsearle.blogspot.com.au/2008/02/changi-gaol-2.html>.
• Japanese Danced with Rage. (1945, November 3). The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), p. 9. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article17958642 
• CARTOONS OF LIFE IN PRISON CAMPS. (1945, November 17). The Australian Women's Weekly (1933 - 1982), p. 12. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article55465755 
• "A Funnier Side of Life, Even in War." Sydney Morning Herald 10 May 2003. <http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2003/05/09/1052280441984.html>.  
• Bryant, Mark. "George Sprod Writer and Illustrator Best Known for His 'Punch' Cartoons." The Independent [United Kingdom] 16 Apr. 2003. <http://www.independent.co.uk/news/obituaries/george-sprod-36440.html>.  

Related posts:

• My grandmother's cousins 
• Sepia Saturday 192 : John Chauncy Champion de Crespigny (1908 - 1995)  

A is for aviator: Ernest Osmond Cudmore

Several of my relatives joined the Royal Air Force, or Royal Flying Corps as it was called during World War 1. I have written previously about Hugh Vivian Champion de Crespigny. Two other relatives, cousins of my paternal grandmother joined up: Frederick Cudmore Andrews and Ernest Osmund Cudmore. They both were captured and both became prisoners of war in the same camp, Holzminden in Lower Saxony.

Ernest Osmond Cudmore was born 2 July 1894 at Glen Osmond, South Australia. He was the second of four sons of Milo Robert Cudmore (1852 - 1913) and Constance Cudmore née Alexander (1858 - 1913). Milo was the brother of James Francis Cudmore, my great great grandfather and Ernest was the cousin of my great grandfather Arthur Murray Cudmore.

Ernest Cudmore in 1917 at the time he was issued with his flying licence (certificate) by the Royal Aero Club. Ancestry.com. Great Britain, Royal Aero Club Aviators’ Certificates, 1910-1950 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2008.

When Ernest was fourteen his leg was broken when he was thrown from a horse. The bone did not set and his leg had to be amputated below the knee.

Wentworth (1908, July 16). The Register (Adelaide, SA : 1901 - 1929), p. 8. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article60318056

Wentworth (1908, September 10). The Advertiser (Adelaide, SA : 1889 - 1931), p. 12. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article5181294

After the death of their parents in 1913, the four Cudmore boys were cared for by their aunt Lilian Alexander (1861 - 1931), a pioneering woman doctor. She became a noted surgeon in Victoria.

Ernest took up racing motorbikes. In August 1916 he participated in a 24 hours' reliability trial riding a 7 horsepower Indian in the sidecar class of over 600c.

24 HOURS TRIAL. (1916, August 16). Referee (Sydney, NSW : 1886 - 1939), p. 13. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article121180077

Ernest Cudmore sailed for England and acquired his aviation certificate at Bournemouth on 26 April 1917.

Ancestry.com. Great Britain, Royal Aero Club Aviators’ Certificates, 1910-1950 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2008.

Until 1911 the British military did not have any pilot training facilities. As a result most military pilots of the period were trained by members of the Royal Aero Club. By the end of World War 1, more than 6,300 military pilots had taken RAeC Aviator's Certificates.

On 6 June 1917 Ernest Cudmore enlisted in the Royal Air Force. On 23 August 1917 he was discharged as a 3rd class air mechanic as he had received a temporary commission on probation as a 2nd lieutenant in the General List for duty with the Royal Flying Corps. He was described at this time as 6 foot tall, keen and efficient with good military character.  No descriptive marks were noted; the wooden leg was not mentioned.

His next of kin to be informed of casualties as recorded on the service records was Mrs D. H. Cudmore, Union Bank of Australia, Cornhill, London. This is probably Mrs Martha Cudmore, the widow of Ernest's uncle Daniel Henry Cashel Cudmore (1844 - 1913). She had sons fighting in the war, including Collier Robert Cudmore and Milo Massey Cudmore, cousins of Ernest.

Ernest was confirmed in his rank of 2nd Lieutenant with effect from 13 November 1917. (London Gazette 15 December 1917). He was mentioned in dispatches gazetted 30 May 1919.

On 5 February 1918 Ernest Cudmore went missing and was taken prisoner of war. He was transferred to Holzminden.

 

card compiled by the Prisoners of War International Agency retrieved from http://grandeguerre.icrc.org/en/File/Details/3059076/3/2/

Prisoner of war record retrieved from http://grandeguerre.icrc.org/en/List/3059076/1872/20434/

Ernest had been captured at Jabbeke, about 17 kilometres west of Bruges in Belgium. Sergeant Leslie Bains was captured at the same time. They were probably in the same plane.

A family story has that Ernest tried to escape while a prisoner so the Germans took away his wooden leg.

The story of Ernest's life is continued at B is for Buick.

Additional Source

• British Royal Air Force, Officers' Service Records 1912-1920 retrieved from FindMyPast.com.au 

Related posts

• Hugh Vivian Champion de Crespigny (1897 - 1969)  
• My grandmother's cousins

Philip de Crespigny in the French Revolution

I came across a mention of a Philip de Crespigny being a prisoner of Napoleon Bonaparte in the 1889 book Englishmen in the French Revolution:

Philip Champion de Crespigny, brother of the first baronet—he was married at the Danish Embassy, Paris, in 1809, his bride having apparently gone over to share his detention—escaped from St. Germain in May 1811. He lived to be eighty-six, dying in 1851. ( From Alger, John Goldworth & Robarts - University of Toronto (1889). Englishmen in the French Revolution. London S. Low, Marston, Searle & Rivington Page:Englishmen in the French Revolution.djvu/295. (2011, April 1). In Wikisource, . Retrieved 23:10, August 31, 2013, from http://en.wikisource.org/w/index.php?title=Page:Englishmen_in_the_French_Revolution.djvu/295&oldid=2641334 )

The first baronet was Claude Champion de Crespigny (1734 - 1818). His siblings, the children of Philip Champion de Crespigny (1701 - 1765) and his wife Anne nee Fonnereau (1704 - 1782), were:

• Susan (1735 - 1766)
• Anne (1736 - 1738)
• Philip (1738 - 1803), my fifth great grandfather
• Anne (1739 - ?)
• Jane (1742 - 1829)
• a child of whom I do not know the name, born 1733 and presumably died young

Philip, the brother of the first baronet, had died in 1803, so who was the Philip who was imprisoned? My family tree currently has ten Philip Champion de Crespignys though many of these are quite obviously not the man referred to in this book. My fourth great grand uncle Philip (1765 - 1851), son of Philip the brother of the first baronet seems to be the right man.

Philip married Emilia Wade on 21 October 1809. She died in 1832.

Family history notes compiled by Stephen de Crespigny state:

Philip was in France when Napoleon's detenu order was signed in May 1803 and was held at the fortress town of Verdun for some years , then moved to St Germain from where he escaped in May 1811. But during the time he married Emelia Wade in Paris in November 1809, a lady with a considerable fortune. (photocopy of handwritten notes on the family history compiled by Stephen de Crespigny and in possession of my father)

The Treaty of Amiens had been signed on 25 March 1802 and meant peace between the French Republic and the United Kingdom.  The peace lasted only until 18 May 1803 when Britain declared war on France.  Issues leading to the recommencement of hostilities seemed to include the British not withdrawing from Malta in accordance with the treaty terms. The Wikipedia article on the recommencement of war between France and Britain states:

On 17 May 1803, before the official declaration of war and without any warning, the Royal Navy captured all the French and Dutch merchant ships stationed in Britain or sailing around, seizing more than 2 million pounds of commodities. In response to this provocation, on 22 May (2 Prairial, year XI), the First Consul [Napoleon Bonaparte] ordered the arrest of all British males between the ages of 18 and 60 in France and Italy, trapping many travelling civilians. This act was denounced as illegal by all the major powers. Bonaparte claimed in the French press that the British prisoners he had taken amounted to 10,000, but French documents compiled in Paris a few months later show that the numbers were 1,181. It was not until the abdication of Bonaparte in 1814 that the last of these imprisoned British civilians were allowed to return home.(Treaty of Amiens. (2013, August 28). In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved 07:15, September 1, 2013, from http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Treaty_of_Amiens&oldid=570571270)

In 1851 Philip was recorded on the census as living at Harefield House in Middlesex with his half brother, my fourth great grandfather, Charles Fox. Charles Fox Champion de Crespigny was twenty years younger than his brother. Philip was described as a lunatic, by which I assume he was suffering from old age dementia.

Source Citation: Class: HO107; Piece: 1697; Folio: 376; Page: 35; GSU roll: 193605. Source Information: Ancestry.com. 1851 England Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2005.

Stephen's notes tell us a little more of Philip:

It was said of him that he was a gay fellow with a happy talent for drawing. He lived for many years in Harefield House, near Uxbridge, where he kept a dozen or more servants. Towards the end of his life he became a little senile, and his half brother Charles Fox looked after his estate for [him (remainder of note missing)] (photocopy of handwritten notes referred to above)

Philip died on 22 May 1851, only a few months after the census was taken. He died without issue.

Harefield House was used as a military hospital by the Australian Army in World War I.

ID number P02402.005 Photographer John H Avery & Co Description Harefield, England. c. 1915-06. Exterior of `Harefield House' the former stately home taken over by the No. 1 Australian Auxiliary Hospital (1AAH) in 1915-03. On the right is the corner of one of the first wards and hidden from view behind the shrubbery is the bay window of the first operating theatre (formerly the sitting room). (Original housed in AWM Archive Store) (Donor R. Brown).
Retrieved from http://www.awm.gov.au/collection/P02402.005  1 September 2013

Sepia Saturday 192 : John Chauncy Champion de Crespigny (1908 - 1995)

From SATURDAY WEDDINGS IN TOWN AND COUNTRY CENTRES. (1947, June 9). The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957), p. 8. Retrieved August 29, 2013, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article22431673

This is my first post following the Sepia Saturday theme.  The prompt for this week was a photograph of musicians in 1947. While the musicians were in their shirt sleeves, I chose this photograph as it was taken the same year.

John Chauncy Champion de Crespigny was born on 25 August 1908 at Royal Park Melbourne to Philip, a journalist, and his wife Birdie. He was the youngest of four surviving children:

• Annie Frances born 1903
• Lorna Blanche born 1904 
• Philip George born 1906

There had also been a baby who died at birth in 1901.

John's father enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force in 1918 and was killed in Palestine in July 1918. (My earlier bog post from April 1913). John was only nine years old.

John enlisted in World War 2 and was a prisoner of war of the Japanese. He was captured in Java and imprisoned in Thailand where he was ADC to "Weary" Dunlop in camp number 4. Twenty years later John wrote about celebrating Mothers' Day while a prisoner of war. (AN ECHO FROM MOTHER'S DAY, 1943— IN A POW CAMP. (1967, June 28). The Australian Women's Weekly (1933 - 1982), p. 14. Retrieved August 29, 2013, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article42114056 .)

Summary of service in World War 2 retrieved from http://www.ww2roll.gov.au/VeteranCertificate.aspx?VeteranID=416833 29 August 2013

The wedding pictured above is John's second marriage.  His first marriage of 1932 ended in divorce in 1939. At the time of his divorce he was an advertising specialist of Dawson Street, Ballarat. ( DIVORCE COURT. (1939, April 6). The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957), p. 2. Retrieved August 29, 2013, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article12115198 ) John's second wife, Margaret Nicol (1909 - 1998), was the widow of Esmond Bernard Serisier (1905 - 1945).

John died on 7 February 1995. His wife Margaret died three years later.

John does not look nearly as relaxed as the musicians: weddings are not relaxing and it is not long after his experiences as a prisoner of war.