Non-Fiction – World War 2 – POW Thailand and Japan – UK homeland wartime experiences –
love story
From the UK – a family memoir 1937 to 1946: Britain, Europe, the growth of Hitler’s Germany,
training and deployment of defence forces within the UK, the outbreak of war, fighting in France,
Belgium and surviving Dunkirk, the bombing of London and its surrounds, being shipped off to
Singapore and surrender to Japan, first hand POW accounts in the Thai Jungle building bridges
and railways, Japanese POW camps, survival of extreme hardship, and liberation by the U.S,
following the atomic bombs. Finally, to land back in the UK, being evaluated for mental health
and being awarded multiple medals for bravery and dedication.
This is a story of the fighting spirit, compassion and endurance of Lou Munn, and his love for
Evelyn that drove him forward. Their mutual love. Evelyn never wavered in support for Lou
despite being married for only one week and enduring four years of heart-breaking separation,
not knowing Lou’s fate, many returned letters and the dreaded unknown as she was aware he
was held in captivity.
Also, from the viewpoint and experiences of loved ones left at home in the Motherland –
particularly Evelyn – their marriage of one week before Lou is shipped out – the Witt and Munn
family experiences of wartime England – their commitment, everyday hardships down to the
ration coupons, fear and tragic suicidal outcomes. This is evidenced through over 200 letters
exchanged during this time. From the flush of first love, the endurance of bombings and life
during wartime England.
A factual account based on, and evidenced by correspondence, photographs, voice recordings
and reflections of the Munn and Witt families. Collated by Sarah Munn, daughter of Lou and
Evelyn, and by her brother, Roger, at the request of her father, Lou, who wanted his story told,
unlike so many soldiers who just wanted to forget the horrors they endured. Lou wanted to
record the courage and sacrifices of that time – he asked his children, Sarah and Roger to record
his history. This is his account.
A family memoir, a love story and the heroic war-torn journey of Lou Munn, from undermining
railways with termites to bathing with a sympathetic Japanese family (he had the soap), the
poetry he shared with the love of his life, and how Lou and Evelyn finally emigrated to New
Zealand to start a new life.
Lou died at the age of 85 years, and Evelyn at 103 years. Sarah and Roger remember them. As
will you. This manuscript is dedicated to those who served in World War 2, and their loved ones.