Jack Edwards: RIP

Jack Edwards died last night in Prince of Wales Hospital. He was 86.

Following the surrender of Singapore during World War II, Mr Edwards became a prisoner of war -- first in Changi and then Taiwan. After the war, he played a major part as a member of the War Crimes Commission in bringing Japanese war criminals to trial.

Starting in the 1980s, Mr Edwards became well known to Hong Kong's English-language radio listeners as he doggedly lobbied for financial compensation for Hong Kong's war veterans as well as for justice for the territory's war widows, the latter having been particularly disrespectfully treated by a series of British governments.

Thanks to Mr Edwards, the post-Thatcher British government under John Major finally buckled under in 1996: the war widows were given the justice and respect that were their due. And the right to British passports, a matter of some importance in the run up to 1997.

Mister B is no fan of the Armed Bodies of the State, but doesn't Jack Edwards merit major repect for his principled fight on behalf of others? Sure does. Stubborn. Determined. Thanks, Jack.