James Joseph Coogan

[IrishCypriot]

Hello... I'm trying find out more about my Great Uncle Jim (James Coogan) 3525478 who was a Lance Seargent in the 1st Batallion of the Manchester Regiment. He was a Japanese POW and died at aged 26 aboard Hofuku Maru (aka Toyofuku Maru) which was sunk by planes from American Aircraft Carrier, 80 miles north of Corregidor on 21 September 1944. He was from Ashton-under-Lyne. Irish parentage and I think his father (also James Coogan) was in the Manchester Regiment.
The story in the family is that he went down into the hold to check on one of his sick pals and when the Americans starting bombing the Japanese locked up the hold.
I'm interested in any recollections and/or photos. Also if there's any info on my Great Grandfather, James Coogan Snr. I think he might have been posted in Germany post WW1.

Many thanks
Helen

[sphinx]

Helen,

I recall J. Coogan Snr's WW1 medals being sold on ebay about 3 or 4 years ago.
He served in an Irish Regiment in WW1, possibly R. Dublin Fusiliers and transferred to the Manchesters after WW1, serving in the 1st Bn.  I think he may have won the Military Medal.

He was an accomplished Boxer, Pole Jumper, Long Jumper, Footballer, Tug-f-war and Lewis Gunner winning several prizes.

His son J. Coogan was also a good boxer.

Hope that assists.

[rafboy]

Hi Helen
Your Great uncle is mentioned in the Roll of Honour included in a document available from the Manchester Regiment Museum Ashton Under Lyne for a small fee.  The title is First Battalion The Manchester Regiment Malaya, Thailand, Burma 1939~1945 the reference is MR1/3/1/18.  He is also in the Roll of Honour in a book by Arthur Lane titled "One God Too Many Devils" which covers the period when the Battalion was in the Middle East up to their release from captivity at the end of the war.  I believe that copies are available from Children of Far East POW's (COFEPO) see www.cofepow.org.uk

Also have a look at the Forum section "Photos and Postcards By Battalion" then "Far East Photos"  amongs them you will find two photos of groups of POW's almost certainly taken in Singapore shortly after capture, if you have photos of your great uncle to compare with the men in these photos you may find him there.  The few that have been identified in them are all first Bn Manchester's but there is no guarantee he will be in the photos as there were far more in the Bn than in these two photos.  I can let you have higher resolution copies by email which can be magnified to give a clear view of the men's features.  Let me know by PM if you would like them sent direct to you.  I am away until Tuesday so will not be able to reply before then.
Cliff

[rafboy]

Hi Helen
Thanks for you PM's, have you been able to identify your Great Uncle in either of the two POW groups?
Cliff

[rafboy]

This list of Web Sites may be of interest to you.
Cliff

[themonsstar]

Hi Helen


Here is James's Jap PoW card


RIP James

[themonsstar]

Back of card

[IrishCypriot]

Thank you so much for the POW card details. Much appreciated. I spent the weekend with my mum and showed her the two POW photos. After much poring over them and zooming in on every face, my mum couldn't spot him. Undeterred though and thank you again for all the information. It's really heartening.