Death of Mr V. G. Bowden
In company with Mr. V.G. Bowden [1] and Mr. J.P. Quinn [2] I left
Singapore on the morning of Sunday, 15th February [1942], on the
launch 'Mary Rose', under circumstances which have been referred
to in a separate memorandum. [3]

The 'Mary Rose' was eventually brought to anchor in Muntok Harbour
at about 10.30 a.m. on Tuesday, 17th February, having been picked
up by Japanese patrol vessels in Banka Straits in the early hours
of that morning.

At about 2.30 p.m. we were landed on Muntok Jetty. Our baggage was
subjected to examination and I later learned that Mr. Bowden, who
was not alongside Mr. Quinn and me at the time, had angry words
with the Japanese guard in regard to some article which they
proposed to take from him. He did not mention the matter to me or
to Mr. Quinn when we later came together again.

We were then marched down the Jetty to a building on the
foreshore-a cinema hall-where we found there was already a large
number of British, Dutch, etc. captives, both civilians and
services, being held. In this building a space had been barricaded
off from the remainder of the hall and into this space were
brought newcomers, who, after further examination of their
baggage, were pushed through the barrier to join some hundreds of
other people in the other portion of the hall.

Shortly after our entrance into the hall Mr. Bowden approached one
of the Japanese guards with the intention of making known his
status, and requesting that he be permitted to interview a
Japanese officer. Just at that moment I was ordered by a guard to
come forward to have my baggage examined, and following upon this
examination I was pushed through the barrier into the main part of
the hall and was not again in contact with Mr. Bowden. From that
point, however, I witnessed an altercation taking place between
one of the Japanese guards and Mr. Bowden. Apparently they were
exchanging heated words and the guard was punching Mr. Bowden and
endeavouring to throw him on the floor; he was also making passes
at Mr. Bowden's throat with his bayonet. It appeared to me that he
was also endeavouring to remove Mr. Bowden's gold wristlet watch
and a gold bangle to which his gold identity disk was attached. I
observed that the guard, after striking Mr. Bowden several times,
went away to another part of the hall, but shortly afterwards he
returned in company with another Japanese guard and indicated, by
signs to Mr. Bowden, that he was to accompany them. It was
impossible for me to make any contact with the party. I saw Mr.

Bowden remove his coat and a small golf ball bag which he wore
over his shoulder, and which I knew contained his passport and
various personal papers. He drew himself up, squared his shoulders
and marched out of the hall between the two guards who were
carrying their rifles with bayonets fixed. That was the last that
I saw of Mr. Bowden, but about half an hour later I heard the
sound of two shots being fired, and shortly afterwards the guards
returned to the hall and were observed cleaning their rifles.

A short time after this Mr. Quinn was with a small party sent to
fetch water from a house close-by for the use of the people being
held in the cinema hall, and whilst he was with this party he was
approached by the Japanese guard who had originally attacked Mr.

Bowden and who apparently recognised Mr. Quinn as being associated
with him. He indicated, by signs to Mr. Quinn, that he had shot
the 'short man' whom he had taken from the hall.

I consulted with a Captain Morgan, a Japanese language expert who
was formerly a member of the special branch of the Malayan Police
Force, and who was a member of our party on the 'Mary Rose', and
also with Colonels Hill and Dalley who were also members of our
party, as to whether it would be possible for me to take any
action or make any enquiries or endeavour to contact a Japanese
officer with a view to ascertaining what had happened to Mr.

Bowden.

These three officers were most emphatic in their opinion that I
could not hope to achieve anything by adopting any of the courses
which I had suggested and expressed their opinions that should I
act in such a way, I would doubtless be endangering, not only my
own life, but also that of Mr. Quinn and quite possibly other
members of our party. They strongly represented to me that I
should take no action which would let it be known that I was
associated with Mr. Bowden, or had any inkling of the fate which
we presumed had befallen him. I eventually agreed that the wisest
course would be to take no further action in the matter.

[matter omitted]

A. N. WOOTTON
Formerly Australian Commercial Secretary in Malaya