Captured by Japs - Friend Sends News of Ex-Rushden Journalist

A former “Echo and Argus” reporter who was serving in Singapore at the time of the fighting, Corpl. John T. W. Norman, made a pact with a friend that if anything happened to either of them the survivor should notify the relatives. His father, Mr. Wm. Norman, of 7, Queen-street, Rushden, received a Christmas letter from him, and then the correspondence ceased. On Saturday, however, Mr. Norman received a letter from Sign. G. Gamlin in Australia, written in March.

It said: “I was a friend of your son in Singapore. The last time I saw him he was in good health and full of life. We went up to the fighting line together and returned again quite safely to the island. “I managed to escape myself, and your son expected to follow after me in a couple of days. Unfortunately he was unable to do so and is now a prisoner-of-war. The last time I saw him was shortly before Singapore fell, so that I hope this letter will allay any other fears you may have had.”

Corpl. Norman served on the reporting staff of the “Evening Telegraph” and associated weeklies at Rushden and Wellingborough and afterwards gave up journalism for film work, obtaining a position at Elstree Studios.

Aged 28, he joined the Army about two years ago and after receiving his training was sent to Krangi, in Malaya.