DICK Wilkins survived the living hell of the World War 2 Japanese camps that claimed the lives of 13,000 companions.
The old soldier became a doughty fighter for the rights of Far Eastern veterans. Now time has carried off the old warrior. But he leaves behind one of the most remarkable documents to come out of the war, his on-the-spot camp diaries, written under threat of instant death if discovered. Essex has said goodbye to an outstanding figure.
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