Prisoner of War sports shield

Inscribed 'DARTS CHANGI POW CAMP PRESENTED TO PTE ALEXANDER CHAMPION PLAYER OF THE ROYAL NORFOLK REGIMENT 1944', with three darts, presumably hitting the bull. Mr.J. Alexander from Beccles, Suffolk, was Private 5781762 in the 4th Battalion, The Royal Norfolk Regiment. A pre-war unit of the Territorial Army, the 4th Battalion comprised volunteers with Headquarters at the (now demolished) Drill Hall, Chapelfield, Norwich. The companies were at Yarmouth, Attleborough and Harleston.

In 1939 Territorial Battalions were mobilised for war. After preparing for the German invasion that never came, the 4th Battalion, together with the 5th and 6th Territorial Battalions, became part of the 18th Eastern Division. Between October and December 1941 these soldiers from Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire underwent a 20,000 mile sea journey to Singapore. They arrived as the last British troops were withdrawing onto the island from the Malayan mainland. After fighting the Japanese Army for 17 days, the surviving Norfolks went into captivity when Singapore was surrendered to the Japanese Army.

The whole British Commonwealth garrison was herded into Changi jail and forced to sign a promise not to escape. Work parties were then sent into Thailand and Burma to build a railway to supply the Japanese advance. Private Alexander was assigned to one of these overland parties. The initial fighting, followed by the prisoners' hardship and mistreatment, caused the deaths of over a third of the 4th Battalion. When the railway was completed, Private Alexander returned to Changi jail. Handicrafts and sport competitions, including football and darts, were organised to pass the time and keep up morale. Shields like this made from scrap were presented to the winners. The surrender of Japan in August 1945 brought release to the surviving Prisoners Of War after three and a half years' endurance.