Wigan Album

So very sad what happened with all those young men. The cruelties they endured even before the ship was bombed. Locked in the holds with hardly any water to drink or food , just a little rice. No room to turn and having to answer the calls of nature in over flowing buckets. Nightmarish on all those ships, usually taking them to Japan for slave labour. Rest in Peace young man.

From the sparse details that I have been fortunate to acquire. He was in the 1st Battalion of the Manchester Regiment.

The regimental badge of the Manchester Regiment was the fleur de lis.

Such a tragic loss, at such a young age.We owe them all a great deal.They must never be forgotten. RIP.

Name: Cyril Dermott
Given Initials: C
Rank: Corporal
Death Date: 21 Sep 1944
Number: 3528806
Birth Place: Wigan
Residence: Wigan
Regiment at Enlistment: Manchester Regiment RA
Branch at Enlistment: Infantry
Theatre of War: Malaya
Regiment at Death: Manchester Regiment RA
Branch at Death: Infantry

Name: Cpl Cyril Dermott
Death Date: 21 Sep 1944
Cemetery: Singapore Memorial
Burial or Cremation Place: Kranji, North West, Singapore
Cpl Cyril Dermott
BIRTH 13 Jul 1916
DEATH 21 Sep 1944
MEMORIAL SITE*
Singapore Memorial
Kranji, North West, Singapore
* A structure erected in honor of someone whose remains lie elsewhere.

PLOT Final resting place unknown. Name listed on Column 75.
MEMORIAL ID 56215989 ·

address on his Probate is Bath Springs Hotel ,School lane

Thank you for this Winnie.

He was on the ship Hofuku Maru, a convoy from Singapore to Borneo. British and Dutch prisoners. Ship developed problems so made for the Phillipines for repairs, prisoners kept on board there from 19th July to 21st September. Attack put in on the ship 21st September. They didn't stand a chance did they, tragic. Ships always given Maru in the name, as Maru was the Japanese God of Wind, a deity. Disgraceful blot on mankind.

Thank you Woodbine. Have you visited the National Memorial. Well worth a visit, but choose a day of good weather. Much is in the open. Good restaurant.

Yea I have visited, Albert. Supporter for years of the group who got that hall of memory built. CoFepow ( Children and supporters of the children of FEPOWS). Was started by a lady from Norfolk so many years ago, every victim's name on a roll round projection. Very determined lady was Carol, who lost her own Daddy who was in the Norfolks. She made all that happen.

Here you go Albert:-
www.cofepow.org.uk

May your organisation’s future be prosperous Woodbine. I have made a donation.

He is commemorated on the Wigan Cenotaph - and also at St George's Church, on a replacement oak memorial for the one lost in the fire which gutted the church.

Thank you Reverend David.