Tears were shed and silent prayers spoken for long lost mates as seven ex-prisoners of war from the Malayan campaign and two war widows returned to Changi prisoner of war camp in Singapore, Minister for Veterans’ Affairs Bruce Billson said.

Mr Billson said more than 15,000 Australians were captured by the Japanese at the Fall of Singapore in February 1942 and were held in Changi, the most well-known Japanese POW camp of World War II. By March 1944, only 5000 of them remained. “Today, on day four of their six-day mission, the veteran party gathered at Changi to remember mates who were held there, and the many who never made it home,” he said.

Mr Billson said all seven of the veterans and the husbands of the two war widows were held as POWs at Changi at some stage during the war. “During the ceremony they reflected on their time at Changi, working in the labour camps at the Changi Aerodrome and also on the Thai-Burma railway; and remembering the harsh conditions they endured there,” he said.

“Verdun Walsh, one of the veterans on the mission, worked as a cook for the prisoners at Changi. He cooked with minimal ingredients including vegetables grown in a garden within the camp.

“Another veteran, Dr Rowley Richards, was also held at Changi, and treated his fellow POWs in the labour camps on the railway.”

Mr Billson said the veteran party was in Singapore as part of a commemorative mission to honour Australia’s involvement in the Malayan campaign. “Yesterday the mission party was taken on an historical tour of battlefields in Malaysia, where the epic battle of Muar occurred followed by the brutal death of some 107 Australians at the hands of the Japanese.

“On 4 September, the veteran party will attend the unveiling of a new Australian memorial dedicated to those who fought, died and risked their lives at Muar, Bakri and Parit Sulong,” he said. “As a nation, we remember their deeds of sacrifice, heroism and duty to Australia. Their endurance, strength and mateship will never be forgotten.”