Aussie World War II POWs honor the fallen

YOKOHAMA, KANAGAWA, JAPAN

10.03.2013

Story by Petty Officer 3rd Class Kelby Sanders 

USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19)

YOKOHAMA, Japan - Four Australian former prisoners of war honored their fallen comrades during a ceremonial wreath-laying at the Commonwealth War Cemetery in Yokohama, Japan, Oct. 3.

The program's objective is to promote mutual understanding between Japan and Australia by fostering a spirit of reconciliation and encouraging the growth of friendship between the two nations, according to officials.

Mr. Tom Connor, charge d’affaires of the Australian Embassy Tokyo, began the ceremony by welcoming all guests, followed with a prayer and a song from Capt. John Shimotsu, U.S. 7th Fleet chaplain.

Shimotsu said he was honored to be given the opportunity to offer a prayer at the ceremony for a number of reasons.

"It's important to support religious needs and to help friends give thanks to God, pray for reconciliation among the living and to repose of the souls of the departed," he said. "Secondly, Australia and Japan are strong friends and allies of the United States and we will do all we can to strengthen the friendship between them."

There are more than 1,500 graves in the cemetery and a cremation memorial housing the ashes of 335 American, British, Indian and Dutch service members who died as prisoners-of-war in Japan.

The four Australian representatives included Charles Arthur Edwards, George William “Peter” Dixon, Alexander White and Adye Glen Rockliff

The four honored guests represented more than 23,500 military and civilian personnel taken prisoner by Japan during World War II. More than a third of those prisoners died during captivity.

• Date Taken: 10.03.2013
• Date Posted: 10.07.2013 02:08
• Story ID: 114830
• Location: YOKOHAMA, KANAGAWA, JP