Prisoner of War - Directed by Jamie Francis

In 1941 my grandpa was captured by the Japanese. He tells his story of pain, loss, survival and guilt. Rather than focusing on general history of WW2, this story will focus on his history. Being in prison really affected my grandfather but as I continued to make this documentary there was something else that effected him even more to the core. Three of his best friends whom he met at radio school in Christchurch and trained together as coastwatchers were brutally executed along with 19 others by the Japanese. I found that it was this that tore his heart as he wondered why them and not him? He has lived with this pain since he was a young boy. He will never let it go. It was in my interests to take my grandfather to particular places to find some recognition of his friends to give him a sense of peace.

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Film & Animation

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[Nicholnack]

Congratultions on your story. My uncle was one of the Coast Watch who was behaded by Japanese on Tarawa. I have looked very carefully at your photos and I belive my uncle is the 4th man from the left in the top row on the photo shown after the photo of the memorial. I am very pleased to know your Grandfather never forgotten these brave men. My uncle was John Hugh Nichol (Jack to the family). I was born 18 years after his death, but I have always known the story. Bruce Nichol

[jamiekfrancis]

@Nicholnack

Thank you very much for your comment. I really appreciate your feedback and am pleased to see there are others, like myself interested in their heritage.

[Moipicky]

Congratulations on your video. I am a Canadian relative of John and we are well aware of his imprisonment during WW2. I also have a VHS documentary from 20 years or so ago which also tells the Coastal watch story.

Have these men ever been recognized by the NZ government for their sacrifices.