Harry Hudson

Everyone knows that war is sad and ugly. My name is Morgan Emsley, and I would like to tell you how war has affected my family.

My great grandfather,Harry Hudson was a signalman during World War Two in the British Armed Forces. A signalman's job is very important. A signalman tells other soldiers where danger is - and if someone gets hurt a signalman will contact a doctor and make sure they get back to their base safely. After two years in the war, sadly, my great grandfather was captured by the Japanese and became a prisoner of war in Burma. The Japanese ordered my great grandfather and other prisoners from Australia, England, Canada and the United States to build one of the most famous railways and bridges of all time. The railway was the Thailand to Burma Railway and the bridge was the Bridge Over the River of Kwai. Most kids don't know that the job my great grandfather was ordered to do became a very famous movie called "The Bridge Over the River of Kwai".

The Japanese did not treat the prisoners very well. They were not provided with enough to eat or with sufficient medical attention. While a prisoner of war, my grandfather was so hungry, he had to eat rats and bugs.

When the war ended in 1945, my great grandfather, Harry Hudson, moved to Canada with his wife Frances, and my grandma. In his later years , Harry Hudson started to have problems with his kidneys. His doctor told him the reason he was sick was the result of his poor care while he was a prisoner of war.

I never met Harry Hudson, but my dad and my grandma say he was a great man

Harry Hudson passed away in 1986 when his kidneys wouldn't work anymore.

Each Remembrance Day our family remembers the sacrifices Harry Hudson and all other men and women who gave their lives during all wars, made to make our lives better.

Thank you for listening to my story.