Captain R.M. Horner ‘Jack’ Horner with a treat for a dog
Ronald Moore (‘Jack’) Horner was a central figure in the camp theatrical productions.
Captain RM Horner (known as Ron, Jack and John Horner), was yet another accomplished actor who took part in quite a number of Theatre Programs.
Some of these included shows such as: ‘Music Through The Years’; ‘All This And Heaven Too’; ‘Tonight At 8.30′; ‘Twinkletoes’.
To view the 100 programs painted and bought back by Des Bettany, go to ‘Changi Theatre Programs’ on this website. This is where this information has been researched from.
There were a number of P.O.W’s who could look ‘the part’ and bring welcome relief to their fellow POW’s, as well as keeping their own minds occupied, some of whom were professional actors and musicians.
Captain RM Horner (known as Ron, Jack and John Horner), was yet another accomplished actor who took part in quite a number of Theatre Programs.
Some of these included shows such as: ‘Music Through The Years’; ‘All This And Heaven Too’; ‘Tonight At 8.30′; ‘Twinkletoes’.
To view the 100 programs painted and bought back by Des Bettany, go to ‘Changi Theatre Programs’ on this website. This is where this information has been researched from.
There were a number of P.O.W’s who could look ‘the part’ and bring welcome relief to their fellow POW’s, as well as keeping their own minds occupied, some of whom were professional actors and musicians.
This caricature depicts Captain R.M. (Ronald) Horner, of 292 Supply Company, 18th Division, Royal Army Service Corps. Known colloquially as ‘Jack Horner’ he took part in many of the theatre and musical programs staged by the POWs. He is depicted in this cartoon in the company of a shaggy dog, a take on his predilection to tell ‘shaggy dog’ stories. Throughout captivity he kept a secret diary which after his death in 2001 was edited by his daughter Sally McQuaid and published by Spellmount Limited as ‘Singapore Diary: the hidden journal of Capt. R.M. Horner’. We highly recommend this book, in which some of Des’s works appear.
Singapore Diary: The Hidden Journal of Captain R.M. Horner
‘This account was not researched and does not rely on archives for its content. The only gaps created were due to illness, physical exhaustion or the simple priority of trying to survive. From the realisation of being in Singapore prior to its capitulation when he felt that they were being “sacrificed to placate public opinion”, to the overwhelming joy of being able to write “It’s over, It’s over, It’s over!!” 3 years later, this diary candidly describes the emotional challenges faced to keep the will to live whilst losing friends and missing the family at home. This amazing account describes the author’s determination to help maintain morale. His sense of humour, decency and consideration for others around him irrespective of his own well-being, makes this a fascinating insight into the day-to-day life of a man determined to get through his ordeal at all costs and to ensure that those around him did the same. Reproductions of sketches, cartoons and Christmas cards drawn by fellow POWs at the time, including cartoonists Searle and Sprod, supported by personal stories and anecdotes, highlight the importance given to being able to appreciate the ‘lighter’ moments in one of the darkest periods of WWII.’
Source:http://berkelouw.com.au/catalogue/books/9781862273399/a-singapore-diary-19421945-the-diary-of-captain-r-m-horner