Son of World War II PoW tells the story of a veteran ahead of VJ Day anniversary | ITV News

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Son of World War II PoW tells the story of a veteran ahead of VJ Day anniversary  | ITV News

Ahead of VJ Day tomorrow, ITV News has sat down with the son of Peter Kemmis Betty, who was was a Gurkha Officer captured by the Japanese in 1942 and spent over three years as a prisoner in Singapore’s infamous Changi camp.

A book has been writted on him and named "Half a Banana" based on his diary about how he and his childhood friend, Alec Ogilvie took on the vital work of managing the vegetable gardens.

At a time of great uncertainty and hardship, their friendship and quiet determination not only helped maintain morale but provided much needed food for over 17,000 fellow POWs. 

The diary is a most unusual and interesting account of what life was like as a prisoner of the Japanese and the publication coincides with the 80th Anniversary of VJ Day.

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Date: August 15, 2025