LETTER: Sad farewe1l to former POW and friend

IT was with deep surprise and regret I received an article from the Express, sent by a friend, saying my long-standing friend Harry Howarth had died.
By The Newsroom
Published 9th Jan 2012, 14:01 BST

I was only in conversation with him three weeks ago and he seemed quite well then.

Harry and I have been friends for more than 65 years and were founder members of the POW Association together.

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I was in the 1st Battalion Manchester Regiment also taken prisoner at Singapore, though I spent most of my time as a prisoner of war in Japan.

Harry, Helen, my late wife and I spent many happy holidays together in Northumberland staying on a farm. Later, Harry and I spent a few holidays together after Helen died.

As far as I know there are only two ex-Burnley POWs and a wife still alive now that Harry has died.

Harry did a lot for ex-servicemen in the Burnley area, serving as the SAHFA representative for a number of years. He helped many people, myself included, to receive war pensions and other grants. Harry wrote another book that was only printed privately. It was called “Fate. The Mortal Storm”. I was lucky to receive a copy.

Harry will be greatly missed and any condolences go to his sons.

MR JOHN K. LUCAS

Downs View, Chatham

Kent

Related topics:JapanNorthumberland