Grandsons of WWII prisoners of war to host guest speaker talk at the National Memorial Arboretum

‘Prisoners of War – A Chaplain’s Portraits’ exhibition at the National Memorial Arboretum 

Eighty years after the end of the Second World War, the grandsons of two men who were held prisoner by the Japanese in the Far East are coming together to share their families’ extraordinary story in a talk at the National Memorial Arboretum.

On Wednesday 20 August at 11.30 am, Charlie Inglefield and Ben Stallard will present ‘A Chaplain’s Portraits – The Story Behind the Artwork’, revealing the powerful story of how Ben’s grandfather, Army Chaplain Fred Stallard, created more than 90 portraits of fellow prisoners of war whilst imprisoned by the Japanese in Changi Prison, Singapore and at the Heito and Shirakawa camps in Formosa (now Taiwan).

The talk forms part of the Arboretum’s ‘The Year was 1945…’ commemorative programme, marking 80 years since the end of the Second World War, and accompanies the exhibition ‘Prisoners of War – A Chaplain’s Portraits’, which is free to visit at the Arboretum until 16 November 2025. The exhibition features reproductions of ten of Stallard’s portraits, alongside the photographs and biographies of the men chosen.

Chaplain Fred Stallard and Captain Gilbert Inglefield, Charlie’s grandfather, first met in late 1941 on the transport out to the Far East. Captured after the fall of Singapore in February 1942, Fred was later sent to Formosa, while Gilbert was sent ‘up’ country to work on the infamous Thai-Burma Railway. In captivity, Fred was permitted to draw by the Japanese guards, who, in return for sketching their portraits, gave him pencils and paper. During his 3.5 years as a POW, Fred created over 90 portraits that captured the human emotions of his fellow prisoners. For decades afterwards, the portraits were put away in the drawer of Fred’s desk before being passed on to his grandson, Ben.  

In what promises to be a fascinating talk, Charlie and Ben will speak about how this project got off the ground and what they aimed to achieve in time for the 80^th anniversary of the end of World War II. Charlie will talk about how he located many of the identified men in the portraits and the conversations he had with the families.

“Sadly, none of the men in the portraits are with us today. But they have not been forgotten,” said Charlie Inglefield. “Fred Stallard, a humble military chaplain, has allowed us to keep their history and stories alive, as well as shedding new light on what the FEPOWs endured all those years ago.”

“I am thrilled to be able to share the story of my grandfather’s portraits and rekindle the friendship between the Stallard and Inglefield families,” said Ben Stallard. “For almost 80 years, the portraits have been hidden away, but now we have a chance to highlight some of the men who suffered as POWs and tell their fascinating stories.”

“This is a unique opportunity to hear a truly moving story brought to life by the descendants of those who lived through it,” said Rachel Smith, Head of Learning and Participation at the National Memorial Arboretum. “We encourage visitors of all ages to join us for the talk and explore the accompanying exhibition which will remain open until 16 November.”

Tickets for ‘A Chaplain’s Portraits – The Story Behind the Artwork’ can be purchased through the Arboretum website for £4.50 per person.