Corporal Charles Philip Dron

27 January 1920 ~ 29 November 1943

Charles’ sisters, Gladys (right) and Laura Isabella

© Charbonneau Family

The front of the card (except English sections)

Camp - the three vertical lined characters - JAVA  (1942 (17th year of the the emperors reign) August 15th)

Nationality given as British/English

Place of capture - JAVA, and another character,

PoW number: The box marked No. is the PoW number a man had. the crossing out probably denotes when the PoW was transferred (for the SM men) to the Moluccas.

So originally at Java Base, then [moved to] Java Camp III (3). Camp (3) beling Ambon (Moluccas).

The two red vertical stamps on either side of the main box have been translated as ‘Supplement’ and ‘Telegraphed’ - relates to the ‘processing' of the deaths, sending (via telegram)

The red diagonal line across the whole front of the page is a rather callous way to indicate the person was deceased.

Image (c) TNA WO/345

Reverse of the index card

Top line: Other Informations

noted that a stamp was made for the first section of red text, and a smaller (4-character) stamp for the end of the same line; the Japanese text  translated-

2nd line: The ship was on its way to deliver the prisoners when it was hit by a thunderstorm. [4 characters after small gap] Suez Maru

3rd line: When the attack happened. [date - 18th year of emperor's reign, 11th month, 29th of the month: 1943, November 29th]  18.11.29 [time of sinking] 09:20   [KA text here - unclear what this refers to]

4th line: [first text, then coordinates] Where the attack happened S 6  20'  E 116  30’  [description of location of sinking] North of Bali Island near Kangayan [Kangean] Island.

Some reverses have additional information, but for the vast majority (of Suez Maru men), their card reverses are identical

Image (c) TNA WO/345

Far East PoW Japanese Index Card

Charles Phillips Dron  - by Diane Charbonneau

 Charles Phillips Dron was born 27/01/1912 in Gateshead, North East England to Thomas Dron and Margaret Dron (nee Phillips - hence Charles’ middle name). I suspect Margaret died in childbirth.

Charles was raised by Thomas and Eleanor (Thomas’ third wife).  Charles also had two step sisters - Gladys Dron and Laura Isabella Dron, who were twelve and nine when Charles arrived home to 47 Exeter St., Gateshead.  

His step-sisters were from Thomas’ first marriage.  

Much of Charles’ family still lives in or around Gateshead. Charles was a Geordie, I am a Geordie. Charles had a girlfriend before enlisting as a volunteer for the Royal Airforce reserve, but sadly, he did not have any children.

Charles died in captivity, a prisoner of war, 29/11/1943 in the Suez Maru atrocity, he was 31.  

He is remembered at the Singapore Memorial, column 426.

Shortly after the news of his only son’s death Thomas suffered a stroke and passed. Thomas was a Railway Engine driver.  Gladys was blessed with four sons.  

She raised her boys in Newcastle upon Tyne.  Her third son, Charles (Gordon) Kirkpatrick is my father.  I would have known Charles Phillips Dron today if he would have come home from the war.  For this, and all that could have been and was not for Charles and my family, I mourn.