Hi Jen and Bessie
My name is Gilda Moncur and I am George Chalkley's daughter.
I have only just seen your messages and note that your enquiries started in 2011 so do hope that you pick this message up at some point in order to conclude your search for George.
My father definitely fits the profile of the person you are looking for the service number regiment and date of capture are all his details. He had only one sister named Lucy who lived in Chingford and I believe he did stay with her for a while when he first returned home from Japan. At that point my mother had 1 son and was living in Surrey with her family. They went on to have 3 more children but unfortunately it ended in divorce in the late 50's. Although a degree of contact was maintained over the years we never really heard very much about those war years and in particular Japan. I so wish I had asked him as I would be so interested myself as we too know so very little.He died 14 years ago aged 89 and such a shame that the timing wasnt such that he could have chatted to you himself and filled in some of the details and stories I am sure he would have so enjoyed it, especially as it would appear that he and Henry were obviously very good friends.
When my father died, my brothers, when going through his papers did find his letter of 'apology' from the Japanese government and to be honest that is when we all became more interested in his POW years but alas too late for us as well to fill in the details. I do have a photo of George in uniform with 30 other men which looks like a formal line up not sure if its home or Japan he has a handkerchief around his neck which he says on the back of the photo was due to sunburn so it looks like it may be Japan pre capture. I will gladly forward a copy to you if you dont have it as Henry surely must be in it and if not, at least you will know and see what George looked like. I will also contact my brother and establish if there were any other photos or war memorabilia amongst his papers which may help to fill in the gaps. I can imagine how you feel particularly as Henry sadly never made it back so I do hope this message goes some small way in alleviating the longing to know any little details and so sorry I couldn't be of more help.
Please dont hesitate to let me know if you do not have the photo and want me to forward a copy I too would like to know if Henry is in the line up. I sincerely hope he is, as that would be such a fitting conclusion for us and these two army pals.
Kind Regards
Gilda Moncur
