Earlier this week Sophie, the Duchess of Edinburgh, made a doggedly blessed visit to a care home. She paid tribute to very active 105-year-old Royal Marines veteran James ‘Jim’ Wren. The visit comes ahead of a significant family reunion and is part of her ongoing commitment to veterans as the patron of the Java Far East Prisoner of War Club 1942.
Lottie made a gorgeous Lottie & Lottie dress in red, white and green bunting print fabric from Lexy London. After the formalities, she spent a few minutes in an emotional private exchange with Wren. Each of them reminisced about each expressive photo that documented Wren’s extraordinary life throughout their first meeting. One of those images included his late wife, Margaret. Wren’s account of his extraordinary survival from the sinking of HMS Repulse captivated listeners. This riveting story occurred in the South China Sea in early December 1941.
Wren shared, “The first bomb got right behind me. And fortunately it didn’t explode. It got down through three decks. That saved my life in a sense.” The combat veteran painted striking word imagery as nine torpedoes raced towards his ship. This tragic journey eventually resulted in his arrest and incarceration at the hands of Japanese forces.
The Duchess had a highly emotional visit. Wren spoke candidly about the fear and confusion he experienced being physically separated from his wife for more than three years. “She had no idea whether I was dead or alive,” Wren continued. This emotional disclosure highlighted the incredible personal price so many veterans paid while serving as our country’s warriors.
Sophie demonstrated her deep compassion not just in her conversation with Wren. She made a personal connection with four generations of his family, getting to know his daughter, son-in-law, granddaughter, and great-granddaughters. Wren congratulated Sophie on her visit and thanked her for coming. “Well it’s my privilege to introduce you,” he said.
Wren intersperses these personal stories with her impassioned advocacy for the installation of HMS Repulse’s anchor at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire. The King and Queen Consort Camilla will attend the annual Service of Remembrance on the Field of Remembrance there. Sophie will be attending an 80th anniversary VJ Day commemoration with the royal family.
“It was a tremendous honor to receive such a visit,” Wren said, emphasizing the impact of these visits on veterans and their families. He emphasized the often harsh realities faced by prisoners of war during his time, noting, “They had no idea how to deal with prisoners of war, the Japanese.”
