THE BUFFS OF CHANGI
The title “The Buffs of Changi” came about simply due to the fact that a small hand-drawn “Dispensation” in an old battered frame was sitting in a Lodge cupboard, far away from the normal gaze of the Brothers. The partial knowledge on the matter of Changi, and what the dispensation meant, kept it from being thrown out years ago. However the Brothers here are now interested in keeping it out in the open, so that all who enter the Lodge will be able to see the item that kept the bond of good fellowship with its members in a place of hell.
Approximately 22,000 were held by the Japanese as Prisoners of War, I have been told, of which around 130 are said to have been Buffs of various Banners and only 34 survived the war.
List of known Members of the Chang? P.OWJ. Lodge Noi
Bro. D.W. Picken C.P. Bro. H.P. Spielvogel C.P Bro. D. Quinn K.O.M. Bro. A. Pearce C.P. Bro. W. Douglas C.P. Bro. ‘Tubby’ Burns Bro. K. Wilson Bro. Wattie Gates Bro. R. Springbett Bro. R.K. Gregory Bro. Maurice Machado, Bro. W. Toogood Bro. W.H. Ackland C.P. Bro. A.M. Barclay Bro. W.K. Bernard C.P. Bro. Ludowici Bro. E. Chapman Bro. A.E. Brace Bro. Charles Thomas Bro. G. March Bro. Keith Mapleston Bro. John Boff, G.L.E. Bro. Jock Barclay Bro. H. Barnes C.P., Bro. E.W. Lancaster Bro. W.S. Baker K.O.M., Bro. Bill ‘Possum’ Ross G.A.B., Bro. J. Cartnell, Bro. Cherwin, Bro. W.J. Wakefield, Bro. F.E. Bell (Fred), Bro. L. Farclough Bro. James Malloy and Bro. (Capt.) T. Armstrong, G.L.E.
If you wish to read more on this subject please click on this link Changi P.O.W. Lodge No 1