Albert George Godwin, or Bert as he was known, was born in Cannock and grew up with his older sister in a household, where his father was abusive to his mother. Eventually, his mother left with the two children.

Bert joined the army the day after his 18th birthday and met his wife, Flo, at a dance in Surrey. They married on 5th August 1933 in Horsell and brought three girls into the world, Elizabeth (mum), Janet (Jan) and Susan (Sue). They lived in a quiet cul-de-sac in New Haw.

Bert was in the Royal Engineers, with postings to St Asaph (North Wales 1939) and France (1939) before being sent to Hong Kong. Bert was captured on Christmas Day 1941 in Hong Kong, where he was held until 27th September 1942, when he was placed in the Lisbon Maru. He survived the sinking, telling us how he swam for about 15 hours before eventually being rescued by local Chinese fishermen. During his time in the water, he told us how a few of the other army personnel were picked off by giant squid, being dragged under with black ink coming to the surface.

Bert was recaptured by the Japanese and taken to Kobe, where he remained from 10th October 1942 until 6th September 1945. He wrote about his experiences in a diary, which he kept hidden on his person along with other items. During his time in Kobe, Bert witnessed regular executions, won a race with a guard, who was then beaten, stole rice from the ships and baked rice cakes for the guards, laced with urine and faeces.

We have between us inherited Grandad Bert's diary, which contains many stories about his experience on the ship, being rescued and recaptured, his time as a prisoner of war and his journey home. I have transcribed his account of his journey home, which you can read by selecting the diary image below.

Bert's wife waited for him to return, while she turned grey with worry. His daughters reported that he was emaciated and covered in hives all over his back when he eventually did arrive home to the quiet cul-de-sac in New Haw. He gradually recovered and would occasionally disappear into the attic to go through his memorabilia, but his behaviour and temperament as a grandad never gave away the trauma he experienced. He was always loving, happy, upbeat, fit and healthy with a slim build. The only health issue he had was a stomach ulcer, from which he fully recovered.

Bert enjoyed carpentry and wouldn't be rushed, stating that his jobs will be done when he finishes them. He enjoyed making dolls houses and had a waiting list. He watched all three of his girls marry and move away from the family home in Surrey, ending his days with Flo down on the coast in Littlehampton. Just as they had met dancing, Bert was out dancing with Flo on Valentine's Day 1998 when he died suddenly, his heart just stopping. He was 85yrs old.