Great escape tunnel george

[Little Jo]

Originally Posted by r.morrison

Tony: We may be in luck and have one of the tunnelers still alive here in British Columbia. I can't recall his name at the moment, but one of our members interviewed him a couple of years ago. He has the interview on tape, just has to dig it out. He is a Canuck and was slated to escape that night, however the alarm went off and he barely got back to his hut. Accordingly, he had the choice of being shot in the tunnel hut or being shot trying to get back to his hut. He chose the later and barely made it!

I can follow up on this story as soon as I get the info. Stay tuned.

Robert
Canadian Military Remembrance Society

Hi Robert

I shall surely stay tuned and I agree, interesting stories should be documented before it is too late because once the survivors pass on we have lost another chance of recording that piece of history forever.

Cheers

Tony

[Ed Storey]

Here is an obit for one who just recently passed away.

[r.morrison]

Thanks Ed for the update. There were probably many people involved, if not most of the camp, in this escape. One of my close friends here in Vancouver is a fellow by the name of Anthony "Tony" Cowling. Tony was captured at the fall of Singapore and spent 4 and half years in a Japanese POW Camp. He wrote his autobiography entitled "My life With The Samurai". Can't tell you if the books on line or whether you can buy it at any book stores, but a fascinating book to read from a boy of 17 years of age, when captured. If any of the forum members would like to purchase a copy, I can arrange it, at cost.
The ironic part of this story was that Tonie's brother was shot down over Germany and ended up at Stalag Luft 111 POW Camp and partook in being a " Penguin" in the digging of the tunnels.
As Tony says from "Down Under", all is lost if our generation doesn't record and keep the history alive.
An interesting note on Tony Cowling.... during the time I've known Tony, I've tried to help him out marketing his book, even bought a couple of dozen books and sent off copies for Christmas prezzies, only to be complimented by friends, family and military buffs. I've helped him build and accent his display and made sure he got prominent display in any event we were involved in.
There was a point when I took him for lunch in Richmond BC and as he asked for, we ended up at a Thai Restaurant. At that point, I was ready to eat the arse out of skunk....I was so hungry!
Rather than ordering a selection of dishes of various delights, as would of being my choice, Tony opted for a small bowl of rice and a extremely small bowl of condiments....and that was Lunch! Chopsticks and all.

And to watch this man.... carefully and so cautiously eat this tiny bowl of rice....and I,m talking Tiny, just made me realize what this guy had gone through and who bears that scar till this day.

I know I've digressed from the original topic of this discussion, but because of Tony and his brother, I'd thought I'd share this with the Forum Members. Robert Morrison ( Canadian Military Remembrance Society )

[Comox Air Force Museum]

Just a little more on Stalag Luft 111. There was a fellow named John Colwell who lived in Parksville that donated his diary to our museum. Every day a page is turned to let people read what life was like in camp. Here's a link to the site.
http://www.comoxairforcemuseum.ca/exhibits.html
Sadly, John is no longer with us, I had the pleasure of talking to him and he was a great person.
Rob.

[Little Jo]

Hi Ed, Rob and Robert

Thank you guys for posting your updates to the Great Escape story, When I posted the original information of the finding of tunnel "George" I did not realise how much interest there would be. I have always been interested in the personal stories of veterans involved in historic events and as I stated earlier I do not think enough is done to interview and record invividual veterans stories for future generations, The dialy turning of the pages of the John Colwell diary is a terrific idea. Keep the stories coming.

Cheers

Tony

[r.morrison]

See what you started Tony!!!!!......Robert

[Marc Montgomery]

Too bad i was not aware of Toy Cowling, as the December anniversary of Hong kong has just passed...although i certainly did discuss the battle on air at the time.
Also had a very interesting report just before Remembrance Day on the establishment of the Wall of Remembrance
As the March anniversary of the Great Escape is approaching, perhaps if you could find out who the survivor is and send me contact info, i might be able to talk to him to give his story national and international exposure.