Photo Brian Chandler

In Wallsend (Holy Cross) cemetery is a family headstone which reads:

In loving memory of
Janet
Beloved wife of
Frank L. Filmer
Who died Feb. 8th 1929
Aged 50 years.
also
Brian Filmer R.A.F.V.R.
only son of the above
who was drowned while
a P.O.W. in Japanese
hands (Java)
29th Nove. 1943
Aged 31 years.
Also the above
Frank L. Filmer
Died 28th Jan. 1957
Aged 78 years.

Simon Glancey has submitted the following:

AC2 Filmer was killed when the Japanese ship the S.S. Suez Maru was torpedoed and sunk by the American submarine U.S.S. Blowfish. The ship was carrying 548 British and Dutch P.o.W.s from Japanese work camps, as well as several hundred sick and wounded Japanese troops, when it was torpedoed near Kangean Island. The American submarine was unaware of the presence on board of the Allied men. Around 200 of the prisoners managed to escape, but the Japanese minesweeper, W.12, which came to the rescue, only picked up Japanese and Korean survivors. The minesweeper's captain order that any Allied prisoners in the water should be machine gunned - all those who survived the sinking were killed.

Brian Filmer is remembered at Willington Quay on W56.07 and W56.12

Suez-Maru Roll of Honour
The CWGC entry for Aircraftman 2nd Class Filmer