George Dudley Binsted

George Dudley Binsted Born 10 June 1921 in Star Street Paddington, London to George Frederick Binsted, a Canadian who served in France during the First World War.

George Dudley Joined the Royal Air force in 1941 and Flew Spitfires over france, before being posted to the Far East Island of Java. At the fall of Singapore in February 1942 he evaded capture along with four others , by circulating the island of Java, in a stolen car. Eventually, suffering from exhaustion and fatigue form the constant evasion of Japanese troops, they hid in a forest, only to be awakened by a Patrol of Japanese soldiers, this was 1st April 1942.

He was then transported to Singapore by ship and spent the next 3 1/2 years as a POW. His life in Changi was recounted, in small episodes, much the same as many others, images of the in humane cruelty that mankind does to mankind.

He was known as 'Binny' The camp Scrounger, being responsible for any additional "Rations". he was known to eat anything, even a Stay Cat or Dog if it had the misfortune of being captured after strying under the perimeter wire. His favourite saying was; "if you cannot eat that, I can" when the rice bowl contained more weavels than rice.

He studied hard when allowed too. His subjects were Law and Accountancy, his tution was by way of two well known experts who were also POW's.

He was certainly amongst some exhaulted company, i.e Laurens Vanderepost, writers among whom were James Clavell and Neville Shute.

There were of course many incidents and happenings that were not able to be spoken off, withour great deal of anguish. An event that took place towards the very end of their capture, which in seemed minor in the scheme of things, weighed heavily on the injustices of life; A compatriot had spent the whole of his imprisonment carving, from meat bones, the most intricate and beautiful chess set, only to have it 'confiscated' by a guard just as he finished the last Piece, for his own gratification, enough said.

At the end of the War, George met up with a well known journalist of the time and they decided to stay on in Singapore, and prepare a journey that would see them make their way back to England overland, retracing the journey of Marco Polo. However during their preparations, George received word that his father had died, and felt that he had to return home to his mothers side withour delay.

Returning to the UK, proved as to many others, not the land 'Fit for Heroes' and inflicted with pre-war attitudes. His hard work, studying, under impossible circumstances proved to be worthless, because he did not posess a 'Certificates' of repute Amongst the items he kept with him all through his life were his original
and a set of treasured
, that he hand made form threads during his capture.

George Died on 1st August 1975 at the age of 54, surrounded by his loving Family, one of whom later became a Royal Air Force Pilot in his own right.

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