“Say, Where’s The B…. Cookhouse?” Towner Road POW Camp
In 1939, Des Bettany joined the Territorial Army. The soldier fought in Belgium, France and the Far East.
However, Bettany was unlike other soldiers as he carried a sketchbook with him on his various missions. He drew the people and places he went to during this turbulent period of time, and let us get a glimpse of World War II from his point of view.
Bettany later became a prisoner of war in Singapore—he was incarcerated at a camp in Towner Road and later, Changi Prison. His sketches, which were created using pencil, ink, water color and pastel, showed us what his life was like as a prisoner of war.
Most of his drawings documented his struggles, but there were others that mocked his captors. The artist drew to cope with being captured, and these works show how he cheered himself up.
In 1945, Bettany was finally freed as his camp was handed over to its prisoners. He later went to Australia to work as an art teacher.
Although these illustrations come from a troubled past, Bettany injects life and his sense of humor into a sombre subject.
Scroll down to view more of his illustrations, or head on over to Changi POW Art to find out more about the artist and his time in a POW camp.
“Transport”: The Changi Chariot
“What the??? Freedom at last???” (1945)
“Captain R.M. Horner, ‘Jack’ Horner in the bath.”
“Caricature of an Naval Officer Wearing a Monocle, Kuantan, Malaya”.
“Well…After All Old Man, They Began It, You Know!”
[via Buzzfeed, images via Changi POW Art]