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Biographical Info
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Cedric Robson was captured by the Japanese at the "Fall of Singapore" February 1942 and became a Prisoner of War of the Japanese. As a captured soldier he would then of been assigned to a forced labour camp. Throughout the war the Japanese had transported POW's to Japan and other islands in the Pacific, to supply forced labour camps, in cargo ships [referred to as "Hell Ships"]. All Japanese shipping was subject to air and submarine attack, however the Japanese did not mark their prisoner transports in any way : There were no red cross markings.
On 21st September 1944 the Hofuku Maru, the "Hell Ship" carrying Cedric, sailing with Convoy MATA-27 for Takao in Formosa, was attacked by planes from American aircraft carriers of TF38, about 80 miles north of Corregidor. The planes sunk the whole convoy including the Hofuku Maru, not knowing she carried prisoners.
The Hofuku Maru was carrying 1289 British and Dutch prisoners from Manila to Japan, 1047 were lost. The ship had started its voyage loading in Singapore in February and the survivors were taken to Bilibid Prison, Manila; most suffering from dysentary and beriberi.
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