FOR almost two years now, Mr. and Mrs F. Crowson, of Long-drove, Parson Drove, have been hoping and praying for news of their second son, Pte Ronald Crowson, who was taken prisoner at Singapore by the Japanese.

Their first blow came in April of this year. when they were notified unofficially that their son was dead, and their final hopes were shattered when they received a letter from the War Office stating that he had been dead since June 1943, although in December of the same year they had had one of the now-familiar cards from him.

This holding back of news concerning prisoners of war is perhaps one of the most inhuman of all this diabolical enemy's tricks, causing, as it does, untold and needless suffering and heartache.

The official letter received by the bereaved parents stated: "I am directed to inform you that an official report from the Japanese authorities has been received in the department, stating that your son, No. 5933738, Pte. R. Crowson, of the Cambridgeshire Regiment, died on 11th June, 1943, of malaria, at Thai Camp. Thailand, while a prisoner of war. This serious news is conveyed to you with sincere regret, and the Army Council extends its deepest sympathy in your sad bereavement."

Pte. Crowson was a popular lad in the village, attending in his early days the Payne School; prior to joining up at the outbreak of war he was employed by the late Mr. A. S. Coates as an agricultural worker at Sutton St. Edmund.

He was drafted overseas in October, 1941, and was reported a prisoner after the fall of Singapore in February, 1942. The card his parents received in December, 1943, was the second and last they had had from him since he was captured.

Pte. Sidney Mews is the 32-year-old youngest son of Mrs. T. Mews and of the late Mr. T, Mews, of Swan-bridge, Parson Drove. He enlisted at the outbreak of war, going abroad in October, 1941. Since he has been a prisoner at Singapore his parents have received one card from him. After being educated at the Old School, Parson Drove, Pte. Mews, who is a keen footballer and boxer, worked for Mr. F. W. Spriggs, haulage contractor, Lyndhurst, Parson Drove.

Official news has now been received of the death at Singapore of Pte. Sidney Mews, of Parson Drove.

Pte. Mews, the 32-year-old youngest son of Mrs. T. Mews and of the late Mr. T. Mews, and brother of Mr. W. Mews, of Parson Drove, was apparently killed in a road accident at Singapore on Oct. 15th, 1942. Confirmation of this fact has now been received by his relatives from the War Office, though they had been unofficially informed some months ago that he was dead. He was buried with full military honours at Changi Camp, Singapore.

Before he enlisted at the outbreak of the war, Pte. Mews worked for Mr. F. W. Spriggs, haulage contractor, of Parson Drove. He went out with the Cambridgeshires and was captured when Singapore fell.

A local soldier, Private Roy Markillie, youngest son of Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Markillie, of Parson Drove, was killed in a motor cycle crash at Quaries five crossways om Wednesday evening week. An inquiry into the tragedy was conducted yesterday (Thursday) week by Mr. W. J. Barton, Coroner for the Dereham district.

Lieut. R. Cutlack stated that he last saw deceased alive on Wednesday afternoon week. He was on duty at the time of the accident. Witness arrived at the scene about 10 p.m. Deceased was lying on the grass about 10 feet from the metalled road. The police and others were already there. Markillie was dead. He was an experienced rider. Witness examined the motor-cycle, which was about 10 feet from the body, and there were marks on the road to indicate that the brakes had been applied before the accident occurred.

Medical evidence was given by Lieut. J. A. Mark, who stated that the injuries consisted of a fracture of the base of the skull, and were consistent with falling off a motor cycle.

HEARD THE CRASH.

Edith May Patridge, of Quarles, stated that about 7.30 p.m. on Wednesday week she was in a wood adjoining the Creake-road, when she heard a motor cycle approaching from Wells over the five cross-way. She was then about 100 yards from the road. The machine was travelling fast.

Grace Page, who was with the previous witness, also gave evidence.

P.c. L. B. Appleton, of Wells, who went to the spot with P.s. P. Garnham, said Dr. E. W. Hicks was at the scene and informed witness that the man was dead. A forward skid mark—which started on the road and finished at the edge of the left grass verge —appeared to have been made by the application of the brakes just before the machine left the road. The body was lying 5 ft. from the brake mark and the machine was 18 ft. front the body. He found nothing to indicate that any other vehicle had been involved. Deceased was lying near a large oak tree, and from this some bark had been torn. Apparently deceased failed to get round the curve leading from the Wells-road to the Creake-road and mounted the grass verge in the left of the Creake-road, which is about 15 inches above the road level. After trav¬elling along the grass verge 51 feet he struck the tree and was thrown from his cycle, and the latter went on a further 16 feet, where it came in contact with another tree and stopped. The machine was in top gear.

The Coroner returned a verdict that deceased died from injuries caused by being thrown from a motor cycle which he was riding, having failed to negotiate a bend in the road. The Coroner expressed sympathy with deceased's family.

Lieut. Cutlack also expressed sympathy on behalf of the officers and men of the deceased's regiment. Not only had they lost a valuable servant, he said, but also a friend.

Sapper Leonard (“Jubb”) Plowright, the only son of Mr. and Mrs. R. W. Plowright, of Church-end. Parson Drove, whose death occurred while on active service, was buried with military honours on Saturday afternoon, following a service at Southea Church.

Aged 25 years. Sapper Plowright joined the Forces in 1936, and was a member of the Royal Engineers. He leaves a widow and small daughter, having been married about three years ago.

The Rev. J. P. Hutcheons (Vicar) officiated at the funeral service. He was assisted by the Rev. D. E. Quick (Walsoken) and Mr. T. Campbell (Murrow).

Messrs. G. Tansley, E. Tansley, T. Mann and A. Mann, of the Home Guard, bore the coffin, which was enshrouded in the Union Jack. At the church gate Captain J. Dwyer and Lieut. Rumsey commanded a guard of honour, comprising mem-bers of the Home Guard. The “Last Post” was sounded by Cadets Goodale and Rippon.

The immediate mourners were: Mrs. L. Plowright, widow; Mr. and Mrs. R. W. Plowright, parents; Mr. and Mrs. C. Mee, parents -in-law; Mr. and Mrs. J. Rollings, brother-in-law and sister; Miss F. N. Plowright, sister; Sergt. J. B. Mozley, fos¬ter brother; Mrs. H. Maris, sister-in-law; Pte. A. Mee and Mr. W. Mee, brothers-in-law; Mr. and Mrs. W. Clark, Mr. and Mrs. G. Crowson and Mr. and Mrs. J. Mee, uncles and aunts; Mesdames W. Mackman, Usherwood, C. Cook and Wilson, aunts; Mr. and Mrs. G. Clark, Mr. J. Clark, Mrs. T. Clayton and Miss T. Crowson, cousins. Among the many others present were: L/Cpl. King (representing 7 Bomb Disposal Sec¬tion, R.E.), Mrs. and Master Bates, Mr. and Mrs. A. Gotobed, Mr. F. W. Spriggs. Miss E. Moore, Mrs. W. Moore, Mrs. Nice, Mr. Skeels, Miss Porter and Mrs. J. E. Rowell. Many beautiful floral tributes were received.

The funeral arrangements were in the efficient hands of Messrs. W. A. Bailey and Son, Lynn-road, Wisbech.