Impressive Dr. William Frankland still going strong at 106 years. Internee Japanese prisoner World War ll, but suffering intense cruelty at Changi and Hell Island, Singapore.
Similarly with my step father, Maurice Porter, who living into his 90s. Like Frankland also an officer, but an engineer, and in the British army, building and destroying airfields for ‘non existent’ Spitfires. Then suffering imprisonment and internment initially also at Changi, then Taiwan and later Japan.
Similarities:
Both were prisoners of war after the unfortunate, some say cowardly, surrender of General Percival’s military order. All much to Churchill’s horror and Great Britain’s humiliation!
This ignoble Singapore surrender after Maurice escaping capture in Jahor Bahru Malaya (aka British Malaya). Seemingly with encouragement of that advance Japanese force, that more operational than cruel thinking! But still always willing to decapitate with that Samurai Sword!
Problem from Japanese is their lightening speed. Invading down Northern spine of Malaya. And, although with limited ammunition, as seen and reported to Singapore by escaping Maurice. Who himself with his troops, retreating and completing the destruction of his own building of airfields and roads for those Spitfires that never did arrive.
Then Japanese ‘over extended advance’, conquering with ease, assisted by ‘chance’ with that shameful surrender of Singapore.
Despite this unbelievable stress, interestingly both men reaching old age.
In common:
Both survived extreme torture, lack of food, with ability to live to old age. Amazingly, Frankland, now at the age of 106, still active physically and mentally. He is still writing papers on allergies, having early collaboration with Alexander Flemming!
It must be noted though that long term internment with calorie restriction, recoverable, as with Biosphere Roy Walford!
It all leads to the indication that our bodies seek and benefit from short term stress!
Variety of stresses or Hormesis: in camp not only limited food and nourishment but also infections, Dengue Fever, Malaria, but key is survival, and then benefits.
With Frankland, subsequent to war, allergies studies on pollen, and even self inflicted insect venom!
Both benefit from mentally active: research, and writings.
Remained active physically, and although Frankland now seems somewhat gutty, and ‘in position’ with his interview chair, recent lectures show a physically active man.
It is a commentary on the chance of life, “sliding doors” that Frankland freely admits successfully seizing opportunities. His marriage in 1941, his decision to volunteer just before declaration of war, the subsequent chance interest in allergies in St. Mary’s Hospital. London. Just a posting on the board!
Then the continual, and ongoing issue we all have of accidental devastation. Frankland chance avoidance of death from Japanese beatings and instinctive reactions to extreme assaults from underling soldiers and that split second salvation!
