PHILIP SIDNEY SPURGEON
From May through to September 2026, Andrew will be fulfilling his dream to hike the iconic Land’s End to John O’Groats! You are all warmly invited to follow Andrew’s epic journey on his Facebook page, “Andrew Beal LEJOG” https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61577588795730
As Andrew hikes the 1,300+ miles, he will raise funds for the Ipswich War Memorial Project to help finance our future exhibitions and research of the brave Ipswich men and women who lost their lives in conflict. If you would like to make a small donation, please click on the link: https://gofund.me/5d4a50570
Thank you for your love and support. Andrew & Helen – I.W.M.P.
Photograph courtesy of Kerry & Kim.
Born: 4th February 1920, Ipswich.
Died: 12th September 1944; age: 24; Drowned chained on board ‘Rakuyo Maru’ as a Japanese PoW.
Captured: 15th February 1942 – Fall of Singapore.
Residence: 50, Spencer Road, Ipswich.
Rank: Gunner; Service Number: 1104644.
Regiment: Royal Artillery, 125 Anti-Tank Regiment. (Northumbrian)
Memorial Reference:
Column 31.
Singapore.
Relatives Notified & Address: Son of Edward & Laura Spurgeon; husband of Violet Spurgeon, of Ipswich.
Father: Edward Redden (Teddy) Spurgeon, born 1890, Gorleston-on-Sea, Norfolk. A Scrap Metal & Rags Dealer.
Mother: Laura Edith Spurgeon (nee Mortimer), born 1891, Ipswich – died 1925, Ipswich.
1928
Philip attended St. Margaret’s School. 1920’s -30’s
Philip far right second row seated.
Philip, seated centre, holding the board.
Philip met Violet in Christchurch Park, Ipswich and soon fell in love. Violet was in service in a large house on Westerfield Road, Ipswich.
On the 10th August 1940, at Holy Trinity Church, Stowupland, Suffolk, Philip married Violet Alice Mary Polley, born April 1920, in Old Newton, Suffolk – daughter of Robert Polley, a horseman on a farm and Elizabeth Jane Polley (nee Francis), of Gipping Cottage, Stowupland.
Violet and Philip had one son:
Alan Peter Spurgeon, born 12th February 1942, in Ipswich. Two days before the Fall of Singapore.
A family note: “Philip was never to meet his son. A fellow POW who survived, and was to become a family friend, said that Philip did see a photo sent via the red cross of his son.
Probate to Violet Alice Mary Spurgeon – widow.
15th February 1942, After the fall of Singapore, most of his Battalions were taken as POW’s, many died while building the Burma-Thailand Railway. Philip survived the railway and was being transported onboard a “Hell Ship”, taking prisoners to Japan to work as slave labor. The ship was not designed for carrying POW’s. limited water or food, many died from heat and starvation. Many ships had been sunk by British and American forces, believed to be carrying cargo for Japan.
12th September 1944, Philip died along with 2 other Ipswich prisoners on this day. The ship was part of 13 ship convoy, being attacked by a number of US submarines near Hainan Island. At o5:00hrs US submarine Sealion fired upon Philip’s ship ‘Rakuyo Maru’ hitting her in the midships and front of the ship. The crew and Japanese guards abandoned ship, while the prisoners capable of freeing themselves jumped into the water leaving many trapped and locked in the hold. The ship slowly went down. A Japanese frigate rescued the crew leaving the POW’s later that morning. The US submarines returned picking up 150 survivors from the ‘Rakuyo Maru’ and a number of over POW ships in the convoy.
1159 POW’s perished from the Rakuyo Maru.
2 other Ipswich men who died in the convoy:
A family note:
Violet, known to friends as Mary, always kept Philip’s memory alive for Alan and all the family. A photograph of Philip, in uniform, always had pride of place in her living room.
Violet and Alan first lived in Spencer Road,Ipswich where there was a great sense of community. This community was a great support for Violet and lifelong friendships were formed. After the war Violet and Alan shared a house with the Smith family in Thackeray Road and also went on to live in Cromarty Road and Maidenhall Approach. Mary and the young Alan would always watch the 3rd division Ipswich play at Portman Road, usually standing by the goal. Alan took music lessons as a child and later played guitar in a skiffle band. Alan attended Sidegate Lane and Luther Road Primary schools before gaining entrance to St Margaret’s School, which he was able to attend as his father had been a pupil there. In Alan’s final school report his headmaster summed up by saying “we shall miss his cheerful smiling face and willing spirit in the school”.
Philip was the love of Violet’s life. She was never to re-marry. She once visited a fortune teller who told her that Philip was a good swimmer and had swum to safety… there remained a glimmer of hope.
Violet always attended the Remembrance Services in Christchurch Park and would never miss the RBL Service at the Royal Albert Hall on television.
Further to Violet’s visit to Kranji War Memorial, Alan was able to visit Singapore in 2009 with his wife Ann. Granddaughter, Kim, visited with her family in 2024.
Violet died in 2003 at the age of 83. Reunited.
The whole family are very proud of Philip and of Violet. They now have 12 descendants… and counting! The diaries, love letters, war correspondence, medals and photographs are treasured and will be passed on to the next generations.”
Violet met the Duke of Kent on her trip in 1985.
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