Andrew Salmon Personal Diary Pacific 1939-1945: View pages

On the 24th September, 1945 we were taken from the camp to the Manila Docks. We could see the total devastation of this part of Manila, which had suffered severely in the fierce fighting, which had taken place prior to the Japanese surrender. We boarded an American naval transport, loaded not only with ex-POWs (American, British, Dutch, etc.) but a large number of American troops returning to their homes. The accommodation was in triple tier bunks. There were so many on board that we all were split into two groups, one lot could use the bunks while the other was on deck.

After the conditions of the past few years, even this could not spoil our happiness on finding freedom again. Plenty of good food and sunshine made us all put on weight. The Americans did all they could to make our voyage pleasant. Our thoughts at this time were very confused. After years of deprivation and brutality, we were suddenly in a world of plenty with freedom of movement. It was difficult for us to adapt to our new way of life. We had been cut off for so long from any news except the barest scraps. We heard words like: G.I., D-Day, atomic bombs, Coke, pin-ups, etc. It was a new language we had to learn.

Eventually we arrived on 13th October 1945 at San Francisco and a great welcome. We were taken by ferry to an island in the Bay, Angel Island. This had been used as an Italian POW camp. What a difference from a Japanese Camp! Spacious dormitories with even a soft drink dispenser in each room. The food was excellent and served by Italian POWs. Sports fields and flower gardens abounded.

On the 18th October, we were taken by ferry across to Oakland where we boarded a luxurious train. In the evening we started our journey across America. It took four days through the Sierra Nevada Mountains to the great plains, Salt Lake City, and on to Detroit where we crossed by tunnel into Canada. We skirted the St. Lawrence and eventually ended up in Nova Scotia, at a place called Debert. The train would stop twice a day to change crews etc., and we could get off for about an hour each time. The stations we stopped at were both big and small, but the hospitality in each, by the local population, was wonderful. We were about the first ex-POWs from the Far East they had seen. The word must have gone before us that our train was on its way. Some of the people had even made a birthday cake in case it was someone’s birthday. Tables had been set up at the stations loaded with refreshments. 

We were quickly brought back to reality on arrival at Debert. We were taken to a large Army transit camp with a British staff. We were quickly reminded of this as a Camp Sergeant Major paraded us and orders given. Our smart American uniforms were taken from us and unshapely British Battledress issued. We also received an advance of pay and brought up-to­date on military rules and regulations. However, in the evenings we were allowed to leave the camp and go to the nearest town. Again, we were shown overwhelming hospitality and kindness. The weather was bitterly cold with snow showers, but the accommodation warm and food was good and plentiful.

On the 1st November 1945, we left Debert by train for Halifax about 80 miles away. On arrival at Halifax, we embarked on the luxury liner ‘Queen Elizabeth’. I think, at this time, there were about 300 of us ex-POWs left.

Late in the day, we finally set off for the last stage in our journey to England. Although the ‘Queen Elizabeth’ had numerous decks, we all could be accommodated on 'A' Deck.

The journey was uneventful and on the 5th November 1945 we arrived in Southampton. For me, it was almost ten years to the day since I had left these shores. We were taken to a tented area on Southampton Common. We stayed there overnight, whilst documentation was completed to send us on leave to our homes.

Finally, on 6th November, we were sent on Leave to recuperate and try to forget all that had happened in the last four years.