Captain Horner arrived in Singapore at the End of January 1942, only two weeks before Japanese forces captured the island. He became a prisoner of war in the infamous Changi prison. In his diary he describes camp life – if you can call it life – and the daily struggle of getting at least some food, and keeping the morale up. Astonishingly, the men were able to organize a theater group, practising and performing in front of prisoners and guards.
But only reading about it cannot convey the horror and despair. Neglecting to bow in front of Japanese officers or soldiers could lead to instant decapitation. Lack of vitamins and tropical diseases, as well as the lack of food led to a vast number of dead. Keeping track of his weight became an obsession with Horner, worring if he would be strong enough to rise the next morning.
When he thought that it could not get worse, he and his troups were sent into the jungle to build the Burma railway. Mosquito bites, ulcers, disentry, , beri-beri, and many other diseases caused the death of most of his friends.
Communications from home was nearly non-existent. He had no idea if his letters arrived, or even if they were sent. No way to know if his loved ones knew if he was still alive. After more than one year he received the first letter from his wife, whom he left pregnant. No mention of a child. Finally, after more than two years, he received word that he had a fine son.
After more than three years, finally: “It’s over, it’s over, it’s over!”. The Japanese have lost the war, they leave Singapore. Yet, it takes Horner another year before he finally get’s home to meet his family, and for the first time see his son.
It’s amazing how Captain Horner and many of his fellow prisoners could keep up morale, still trust that one day the suffering would be over, and carry on day after day despite danger and sickness. This is a story that can give us hope that no matter what, we homans are made for survival.
