I was quite pleased to see the photo of the Syrett family in your latest issue (April 9, 2014). It brought back many memories for me.
Years ago I interviewed Mrs. Alice Syrett regarding her son Victor which resulted in a book I published titled, Dear Mum (about Victor’s RAF life and prison time). I am now 93. I was privileged to read all of the letters that Victor had written to his mum during WWII. I was greatly interested, because Victor visited an Aunt Maud in London and I had an Aunt Maud in London. Victor went to the Far East and I went to the Far East. Victor died in a Japanese prison camp.
When writing about him I actually found and met the chap who was with him in the prison camp and was actually with him when he died... also several of the lads who knew him in the camp, and on troopships.
It was a wonderful research experience and quite a moving experience for me. That is a wonderful photo of the Syrett family and one I will treasure. Thank you so much for the article.
Years back, both my wife Lynette and I wrote articles for the Times Colonist in the old Islander. Today I just enjoy my laptop and now have a blog of my own, as does my wife Lynette. Sorry to be so long-winded.
Ken Stofer
Victoria