National Memorial Church of
Far East Prisoners Of War (FEPOW)

NEXT FEPOW MEMORIAL SERVICE

 12:30pm. Sunday 14th May 2023

ALL are welcome to attend this  ecumenical Memorial service for FEPOW

 but PLEASE NOTE:

INVITATIONS ARE NO LONGER SENT OUT

Seating is Not reserved.

We can offer Light Refreshments once again and ask you to contact us directly to give an idea of numbers to cater for.

fepow@wymondhamrcchurch.org.uk or telephone 01953 604144

PLEASE contact Peter Wiseman at the above email address if you want to attend or for enquiries relating to the Memorial Service. Advance notice of mobility issues would be helpful. Queries about visits at other times, the Books of Remembrance and other FEPOW information are also welcomed at this email address.

We will be delighted for people to fill the church this year.  ALL are welcome. Anyone unable to attend in person can join the occasion virtually as the service will also be Livestreamed on our YouTube Channel at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmPstVjBimy3N0oC3Zmln8g/videos?live_view=502&view=2

COVID-19

The Diocese of East Anglia concurs with the cessation of National COVID-19 regulations allowing us to congregate normally with effect from 1st March 2022.    Face coverings are no longer mandatory but people are encouraged to wear one when singing during the service, please. Hand sanitiser will still be available.  Full details are on the homepage.

In case you missed it …

Last year’s FEPOW memorial service was held on Sunday 16th May 2021 but due to COVID regulations the service was attended by just 34 people, but it was streamed live on YouTube. Full details of last year’s service can be found by click the following link http://www.wymondhamrcchurch.org.uk/fepow-2021

FEPOW Prayer

And we that are left grow old with the years
Remembering the heartache, the pain and the tears,
Hoping and praying that never again
 will Man sink to such sorrow and shame.
The price that was paid we will always remember:
Every day, Every month; Not just November.
We will remember themhere

The Kohima Epitaph

When you go home, tell them of us and say,
For your tomorrow, we gave our today.
We Will Remember Them

ABOUT THE CHURCH

The FEPOW Memorial Church was built by Fr. Malcolm Cowin in 1952 to the design of Donovan Purcell, as a permanent memorial to those who suffered as prisoners of war and internees of the Japanese during World War II, and is the only church of its kind in the world.
The church acts as a ‘Living Memorial’, and a Roman Catholic Parish church. It is unique in being the only church dedicated to the memory of FEPOW and Civilian Internees of all Faiths and Nationalities who died in the Japanese POW and Internment Camps of WWII. 

MEMORIAL SERVICE

An annual memorial service for surviving FEPOW internees and their families is held in May of each year. All are welcome to join us. A small committee oversees the management of the service. Specific information about the service may be obtained from the Archivist. 

Visits at other times can be arranged via the Parish Office or the Archivist, Peter Wiseman BA Hons (Honorary Archivist) February 2016

Visit the FEPOW JAVA website, for more resources.