Description

The Number 12 Prisoner of War Camp at Cowra was a large and complex establishment and while it is the tragedy of the Breakout of the Japanese in 1944 that looms large in our collective memories, there were also Italians, Indonesians and other diverse groups within the compounds and the Cowra district. 

Since Graham Apthorpe arrived in Cowra 20 years ago, he has had a fascination with its WWII military history. Overt this time he has assisted a number of authors and researchers and has had a strong involvement in matters pertaining to the Cowra PW campsite and its history. He was Chair for the 50th anniversary commemorations of the Cowra Breakout and Vice Chair for the 60th. In more recent years he has been involved in the Cowra Breakout Association. In his work with Cowra Shire Council he was instrumental in forging a Friendship Agreement with Joetsu City in Japan and Featherson in New Zealand. 

Graham Apthorpe has revealed for the first time many new stories from this period, exploring a number of conspiracy issues and dispelling some of the myths associated with that time. The Cowra story from WWII is a bitter-sweet one and his books adds considerably to our understanding of this town and its very special place in our nation’s history.