Forgiveness and the Forgotten Army
To commemorate the 80th anniversary of Victory over Japan Day (VJ Day) on 15th August 2025, DefyEnt Docs released Forgiveness and the Forgotten Army, a short form documentary series in which the children of Far East Prisoners of War (POWs) tell their parents' Second World War stories of survival and whether or not they were able to forgive those that hurt them.
Episode 1 - Ashley Prime
In this episode, Ashley Prime tells his father's harrowing story of survival as he was taken across East Asia as a Prisoner of War. From Changi Jail in Singapore to Iruka in Japan, Ashley Prime helped build the Burma to Thailand railway until he eventually worked in the Iruka copper mines, before being liberated and journeying back to England 'the wrong way' round the world.
Ashley Prime experienced some traumatising experiences, including burying his friend upside down in a jungle, but was he ever able to forgive those that held him captive?
Episode 2 - ERNEST VICTOR HAYNES
In this episode, Helen Haynes tells her father's powerful story of being held captive in Changi Jail, where he suffered painful wounds, ate dried snakes and was hidden by a postmaster.
After finding a mysterious photograph of a Japanese soldier, Helen is determined to travel to Japan to find out more about the soldier and to seek reconciliation with the soldier's family.
Will the wounds of the past be healed?
CREDITS
Director and Producer - Jonathan Dakin
Cinematographer - Mark Fitches
Editor - Peter Ansell
Sound Engineer - Ewerton Rodrigo Mendonca
Composer - Jordan Thomas
Colour Grader - Sara Buxton
Graphics and Titles - Richard Selby-Chambers