Waring, Hugh Douglas (Lieutenant, b.1917 - d.2010)

Collection relating to the Second World War service of NX65585 Lieutenant Hugh Douglas Waring, 2/3 Ordnance Company, prisoner of war, Malaya, Borneo, 1941-1952.

Wallet 1 of 1 - Consists of four folders containing letters, certificates and documents related to Waring's period as a prisoner of war and his subsequent liberation from captivity.

Folder 1 of 4 - Consists of a Christmas card Waring sent to his aunt and uncle from Malaya in 1941. He writes that he is now chief clerk ordnance and is busy working seven days a week.

Folder 2 of 4 - Consists of a notebook, papers and a letter relating to Waring's time as a prisoner of war of the Japanese in Borneo. The folder includes a notebook, made from toffee wrappers and other scrap paper, that Warring maintained during his captivity, in which he made small handwritten notes on music and local language. The folder also includes a Chinese toffee wrapper annotated with studies undertaken while a prisoner and, on the reverse, notes on "Marius the Epicurean". Also in the folder are two letters, one from a Margaret Robbins to Waring in 1943 and another to Waring from his mother following his liberation in 1945. The Robbins letter includes handwritten extracts by Waring from the work of Henry David Thoreau, while Waring has annotated his mother's letter with arguments for and against his options for post-war work.

Folder 3 of 4 - Consists of 8 letters, one partial letter and a page of notes Waring wrote to his mother in September 1945 following his liberation from captivity. He warns her of his thin and weak physical condition, of his improving appetite and being able to eat foods he has not had in years, of his voyage from Labuan to Morotai aboard a hospital ship, his treatment for malaria and worms, the care given to the liberated prisoners, his negative perceptions of the Japanese, and his aspirations for the future. He also writes of the year he spent in the camp at Sandakan, mentions the underground network organised by Captain Lionel Matthews there, and describes the dire conditions in the Kuching prisoner of war camp just prior to liberation.

Folder 4 of 4 - Consists of three Soldier's Pay Books, a Record of Service Book, a Demobilization Procedure Book, and Waring's Certificate of Service. The folder also includes two copies of a certificate attesting to Waring's membership and regular attendance of an agriculture education group while in captivity, and three character references from former officers and a YMCA representative relating to Waring's temperament and participating in educational study groups during his time as a prisoner of war.

Oversize - Consists of Waring's certificate of appointment as an officer, dated 25 November 1941.