Richard Elkin Cumberbatch

Notes:

In Memoriam - CUMBERBATCH - In honoured and loving memory of RichardElkin Cumberbatch 137th Field Regiment R.A. [Royal Artillery]. Killed while a Prisoner of War at Nongpladuk Camp Siam on 3 December 1944.Dear and only son of the late Dr. E.P. Cumberbatch and MrsCumberbatch.

This memorial was placed in The Times 3 Dec 1947 p1 Col A and wasrepeated on 3 Dec 1948, 4 Dec 1950, 3 Dec 1951, 3 Dec 1955, 3 Dec1958, 3 Dec 1962, 3 Dec 1963 and 3 Dec 1966 and was probably by AliceBeatrice Maud C Cumberbatch who was close to Richard Elkin.

Here is a letter written to Richard's Mother by Charles Douglas his friend with an account of Richard's death: [dated 1 Dec 1945] "As was the case with all P.O.W.s the Japanese allowed the proper and decent Christian Burial...He was therefore buried at Nong Pladuk Graveyard not far from the main Siam Railway line which has been kept in good state of preservation, being a Base Camp Cemetary."