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Table of Contents
In 1945, a Canadian member of the British organization First Aid Nursing Yeomanry (FANY) named Joan Bamford Fletcher was sent on a rescue mission during World War II to Sumatra. She evacuated 2000 Dutch civilians who were imprisoned by the Japanese military for 3 years.
See the fact file below for more information on Joan Bamford Fletcher or alternatively, you can download our 22-page Joan Bamford Fletcher worksheet pack to utilise within the classroom or home environment.
Key Facts & Information
Early Life
- Joan Bamford Fletcher was born in 1918 in Regina, Saskatchewan, a province located in Western Canada.
- Regina was where the seat of government of the North-West Territories was located.
- It was originally called βWascanaβ but was renamed in 1882 to Regina in honor of Queen Victoria.
- Joan Bamford Fletcher grew up on her familyβs ranch in Canada, where she also trained horses.
- In the 1920s, she went to a boarding school in England and furthered her schooling in Belgium and France.
The Heroine
- During the war, Joan Bamford Fletcher wanted to serve the people, but no military branches catered to Canadian women.
- She joined a uniformed paramilitary group of women called the Saskatchewan Auxiliary Territorial Service.
- She trained to be a driver at the Canadian Red Cross.
- First Aid Nursing Yeomanry (FANY) was formed in 1907 and is a British independent all-female registered charity.
- The group was active in both nursing and intelligence work during the world wars.
- They rescued the wounded and gave first aid, which is similar to the modern combat medic.
- Joan Bamford Fletcher joined FANY in 1941 and was stationed in Scotland.
- She served as a driver for the Polish Army in exile during her service.
- Joan Bamford Fletcher was sent to Southeast Asia for a humanitarian mission in April 1945.
- October of the same year, she was also assigned to evacuate the prison camp in Indonesia.
- There were approximately 130,000 civilians who the Japanese imprisoned during the war.
- Most of the prisoners who were captured were Dutch colonists.
- When World War II ended, Sumatra became an unsafe and unfriendly place.
- The prisoners who were held were already suffering from malnutrition and other diseases.
- The Japanese troops that were just defeated were stranded on the islands.
- They were no longer in power, but the prisoners were still in danger from the Indonesians, who were hostile to Dutch colonizers.
- 2000 Dutch prisoners were detained at the camp at Bangkinang, Indonesia.
- To save them, they were required to travel in a territory patrolled by the Indonesian independence movementβs hostile members.
- Moreover, they must pass through the 500 miles of rugged and dangerous mountain road and tropical forest with a winding course.
- Despite the given circumstances, Joan Bamford Fletcher courageously went to the quarters of the defeated Japanese 25th Army.
- Although surrendered and defeated, the Japanese army in the quarters is still armed.
- She was able to get a fleet of vehicles and 70 Japanese soldiers as her escort.
- She was the only woman ever known to have commanded the Japanese soldiers.
- Joan Bamford Fletcher efficiently used their help to save the captured left at Bangkinang, Indonesia.
- Together, they had made a path to safety for the imprisoned Dutch civilians.
- The route they took from camp was a trek over high mountains.
- Apart from their course, the weather is terrible as well.
- In addition, the trucks they used often broke down too.
- The convoy can only transport limited internees at a time.
- To fulfill the rescue, they have to go through the same journey 21 times in 6 weeks.
- Despite the tremendous journey they took, Joan Bamford Fletcher successfully saved all 2000 internees β men, women, and even children.
- On one of their travels, she also injured her head but continued on carrying their mission.
- When Joan Bamford Fletcher finished her mission, the Japanese captain escort presented her with his familyβs 300-year-old Japanese samurai sword called the katana.
- This is a significant tribute given to her for her courage during their operation.
βIn simplest terms this is a woman who in extraordinary times put her life on the line to save several thousand people that she didnβt know. That is a human interest story of the first order and by anybodyβs definition that is heroism of the highest gradeβ.
Dean Oliver, Historian
Death and Legacy
- Joan Bamford Fletcherβs bravery had earned her the Order of the British Empire.
- She worked as a public-relations worker for the British Foreign Office in Soviet-controlled Poland for several years.
- Her work in Poland had ended due to her being caught up in a Cold War espionage scandal.
- In 1979, Joan Bamford Fletcher died in British Columbia.
- Her sword and war medals are stored in the Canadian War Museum.
Joan Bamford Fletcher Worksheets
This is a fantastic bundle that includes everything you need to know about Joan Bamford Fletcher across 22 in-depth pages. These areΒ ready-to-use worksheets that are perfect for teaching students about Joan Bamford Fletcher who evacuated 2000 Dutch civilians who were imprisoned by the Japanese military for 3 years.
Complete List Of Included Worksheets
- Joan Bamford Fletcher Facts
- Identification
- True or False
- Qualities of a Hero
- Joan Bamford Fletcher
- Are You a Hero?
- Story Time!
- Heroines
- You Can!
- Never Give Up
- Dream
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Link will appear as Joan Bamford Fletcher Facts & Worksheets: https://kidskonnect.com - KidsKonnect, September 23, 2021
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