Stanley Benjamin Littlejohns - Charles Shoemake - John Reginald Watts

The Narrow Road To The Deep North 
 Richard Flanagan

The Narrow Road To The Deep North, a book written by Richard Flanagan.  The story tells the story of an Australian doctor haunted by memories of a love affair with his uncle's wife and of his subsequent experiences as a Far East prisoner of war during the construction of the Burma Railway. Decades later, he finds his growing celebrity at odds with his feelings of failure and guilt.

The story is to be shown on the BBC later in the year

Siam–Burma Railway

The Burma Railway, also known as the Siam–Burma Railway, Thai–Burma Railway, and similar names, or as the Death Railway, is a 415 km (258 mi) railway between Ban Pong, Thailand, and Thanbyuzayat, Burma (now called Myanmar). It was built from 1940 to 1943 by Southeast Asian civilians abducted and forced to work by the Japanese and by captured Allied soldiers, to supply troops and weapons in the Burma campaign during the Second World War. It completed the rail link between Bangkok, Thailand, and Rangoon, Burma. The name used by the Imperial Japanese Government was Tai–Men Rensetsu Tetsudō (泰緬連接鉄道), which means Thailand-Burma-Link-Railway.

Three men from Swansea, who lost their lives due to the construction of the Railway, are buried at Kanchanaburi War Cemetery.

Stanley Benjamin Littlejohns

Stanley Benjamin Littlejohns

Born in 1915, Stanley was the son of Joshua Littlejohns and Ellen Lobbett, who were married in Devon, 1911.

At the time of the 1921 census, the Littlejohn family was living at Fairwood House, Killay.

1921 Census

Joshua, 35, who was born in Clovelly, Devon, was a Haulage Contractor.  Ellen was 33 years old.  Their children present at the time of the census were.

Annie, 9; Thomas John, 7; Ben Stanley, 6; Kenneth, 5, who all attended school, and 3-year-old Gladys.

Also employed by the family were two servants, William O’Callaghan, 20, and 23-year-old Arthur Langman.

Herald of Wales

In 1938, Stanley married Mary Millicent Morgan, their marriage was published in the Herald of Wales. By the time of the 1939 Register, the couple were living at The Stores, Waunarlwydd.

1939 Register

Stanley, who served with the Royal Army Service Corps, 53 Infantry Brigade Group Company, was ranked Driver.

Japanese Index Cards of Allied Prisoners and Internees

At the Fall of Singapore, February 1942, Stanley was captured and made a Prisoner of War. 

World War II
Allied Prisoners of War
1939-1945

On 7^th of June 1943, Stanley died from Beriberi.

Charles Shoemake

Charles Shoemake

Born in 1921, Charles was the son of Thomas H. Shoemake and Evelyn Oliver, who were married in 1920.

The only official record is the 1939 Register, Charles and his parents are living at 4 Cwm Terrace.  Charles’ occupation is recorded as Railway Page.

1939 Register

Charles enlisted with the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve and was ranked Leading Aircraftman.

Taken prisoner on the 8^th of March 1942, when Java fell.  Now a Prisoner of War, Charles worked on the Siam–Burma Railway and died on the 3^rd of July 1943, at a POW Camp, Hintok.

John Reginald Watts

John Reginald Watts

Born in 1911, son of Reginald Watts and Gwendoline Annie Price, who were married in 1907.

The Watts family was living at 20 Eversley Road at the time of the 1921 Census.

1921 Census

39-year-old Reginald was employed by Swansea Corporation as a Municipal Clerk.  Gwendoline was 38 years old.  Their three children were

John, 9, and Arthur Lyndon, 7, both attended school, whilst the youngest son was 1-month-old Raymond Price.

In December 1935, John married Gladys Mabel Bancroft at St. Paul's church, Sketty.  

John Reginald Watts and Gladys Mabel Bancroft
marriage certificate
St. Paul's church, Sketty

South Wales Daily Post

The wedding photograph was published in the South Wales Daily Post.  Gladys was the daughter of William James Bancroft, who was the Welsh international fullback who played club rugby for Swansea, and a county cricketer for Glamorgan, for whom he was the first professional player in 1895.

Enlisting in 1939, John served with the Royal Artillery, 125 Anti-Tank Regiment ranked Captain. John saw action in France and was one of the last to leave the beaches of Dunkirk.

Japanese Index Cards of Allied Prisoners and Internees

Herald of Wales

Captured in February 1945, John worked on the Siam–Burma Railway.  Having survived the trials and the hardship of the Railway, John died at a hospital near Bangkok, 25 February 1945.   His death was reported in the Herald of Wales. 

Stanley Benjamin Littlejohns
Kanchanaburi War Cemetery
credit - findagrave

Charles Shoemake
Kanchanaburi War Cemetery
credit - findagrave

John Reginald Watts
Kanchanaburi War Cemetery
credit - findagrave

All three men are buried at Kanchanaburi War Cemetery