Prisoner Of War and Parents Reactions

Letter from R.D. Wilson, Hon. Secretary of the National Federation of Far East POW Clubs and Associations, 17th November 1998
....I have had so many queries about Pacific Venture and heard so many explanations, I felt it was time to get the real story....This morning a copy of the Pacific Venture 1998 was sent to me and I found it very interesting. I must say I think it is wonderful for these young people to have the chance of seeing the Japanese in their own setting. After all, the young had no part in the horrific happenings during the war.....

Letter from Sydney Humphreys - 18 April 1996
Dear John...My grandson, Jake Meyer, has telephoned me on his return from what has undoubtedly been the holiday of a lifetime. Words just tumbled out as he described his experiences in Japan....He was particularly happy with his stay with the Japanese family and they seem to have got along very well together. He is writing a letter to them. I have heard since that a postcard has arrived for him from a Japanese girl.....Personally I was pleased to hear this because although I want my offspring to know the truth of what happened during the war, I would like to think that any hatred of the Japanese should be the exclusive prerogative of the P.O.W's....The tour was obviously brilliantly organised and he was effusive about Mary Grace.....

Letter from Trevor & Wendy Bedeman- 28 April 1996
Dear Mrs. Browning and Dr. Pritchard
Both Wendy and I should like to express our thanks for all the very hard and successful work you have put in to organising the trip that Tom attended. Just to look at the itinerary you could see the extent of detailed planning for the trip...It was all we could have hoped for Tom, and he has clearly grown in maturity....He found the family visit most successful, and we are also writing to the family he stayed with to say thanks for looking after him so well...Now he says he wants to take GCSE Japanese..shows in how many ways the trip has sparked his interest.....

Trippers' Reactions
P.O.W. and Parents Reactions
British and Japanese Government Reactions

Scissors, Paper, Stone

Room with a View