The Purbrook PoW who survived to become a successful businessman

Edward Whitmore Jones from Purbrook ( pictured right) built up a successful furniture store in Chichester after surviving three years as a Japanese prisoner of war.

His hard work and commitment to customer service at Whitmore Jones Chichester ensured the shop prospered under his guidance.

But he tragically died in 1968 aged 54, the years of starvation and prolonged captivity at the hands of the Japanese having taken their toll.

Edward’s son, Christopher Whitmore Jones, and grandson, Mike Whitmore Jones, have decided to share his story following last month’s 75th anniversary of VJ Day, marking Victory Over Japan in the Second World War.

Edward was a Leading Aircraftman in the RAF, part of 211 Squadron, Middle East Forces, and became a prisoner of war when Java fell in 1942.

An article in the Portsmouth Evening News dated January 10, 1944, reported that a card he wrote on Christmas Day 1942 had finally arrived at his parents in Purbrook on New

Year’s Eve 1943, over a year later.

When he was finally released, Edward wrote again on September 17, 1945.

He started by saying he had sent a total of six cards, though the first cards he had received were on October 12, 1944.

Christopher and Mike said: ‘We find his first letter home after his rescue from captivity is very understated but informative and very moving.

‘Regrettably, three bouts of malaria, five bouts of dysentery and beriberi, coupled with forced labour and poor diet, contributed to an early death in 1968, just 23 years after the end of hostilities.

‘Having survived the war, he moved to Chichester to open and run a branch of our family business in Oving Road, which we are pleased to say is one of the few longstanding family businesses still trading in Chichester.’

Edward announced in his letter ( pictured above, far right) that he was given 15 minutes’ ‘scribble time’. It reads as follows:

‘My dear Mum and Dad, At last after a weary 3½ years, we are all again free men.

‘This is my first attempt at writing for a very long time - after working on rice and stew for 3½ years one’s brain becomes decidedly dim.

‘Did I say stew? Soup and mighty thin at times too.

‘How is everyone at Sandy Brow? Am looking forward to having all the news.

‘So much has happened during these last wonderful weeks that we still wonder if we are dreaming or not.

‘I wrote a few scratchy lines yesterday in about 5 minutes and was told that they probably would not be delivered and were being substituted by these. So here’s hoping.

‘We are at present (about 50 of us) staying in a large building standing in spacious grounds in Batavia, a grand place. Our food is excellent.

‘Sept 17th. A very memorable date – doctor has just come to see us and informed us to pack our kit.

‘Shall be flying to India any moment! GOSH!

‘Everyone’s all a buzz. We had been saying that everyone was going home except us.

‘I get so excited these days – especially when I think of home – my mother and father and all those I love.

‘In fact writing this and thinking of you all is nearly too much for me. I’m a bit soft.

‘During the past years one found it best to forget everything and take what was coming.

‘Have tasted eggs, butter, milk and meat, fruit, etc first for over 3 years. (STOP PRESS the ‘Gen’ is we are flying into Colombo, given warm kit and then straight to Good Old England. I wonder!)

‘In any case shall post this where we stay, or bring it with me.

‘Have been telling my ward that something big was bound to happen on the 17th.

‘He’s a grand fellow, lives in Brighton and used to work for Small and Parkes s.c. Rep.

‘Although Java is a beautiful island, not so much now the Japs have had it for 3½ years. Shall be glad to get away from the eternal sun.

‘Pompey lads been very fortunate only 2 dead that I can find anything about.

‘I am fairly fit, very thin and suffering from the after effects of having dysentery 5 times, but good food will soon put me right.’

Edward was the youngest son of Arthur Whitmore Jones, who founded the family business in Southsea in 1909, and was 32 when he returned from the Pacific.

He expanded the business by opening the Chichester store, taking over the site of an existing hardware and furniture store which had operated ever since the early 1800s.

After Edward died, Christopher joined the business to help his mother Jean and took over the day-to-day running.

Mike joined in 2003, the fourth generation to be actively involved.

He now runs the business with the aid of senior sales manager Gerald Lloyd.