South Yorkshire Times, February 28, 1942

Was At Singapore

News Awaited Of Wombwell Sapper

Sapper George Major Hitchen, R E (23). son of Mr. and Mrs. George William Hitchen, of 101, High Street, Wombwell, was serving in Singapore at the time the Japanese invaded the port, and news is anxiously awaited of him. The last letter from him was dated Dec, 6th.

In it he , begged his parents not to worry. saying they had prepared a hot reception for the Japs.

Hitchen is an old boy of Park Street Council School and Wombwell Modern School. He joined Barnsley Territorials at the age of 17, and a year later went into the Army.

He went East in September, 1938 and has not been home since.

Hitchen comes from a family of soldiers.

He is a grandson of Mr. Major Hitchen, of Park Street, Wombwell, well known bandmaster and a member of the Home Guard.

His father served in France in the last war, having 26 years’ military service all told, and is now a Sergeant in the Home Guard.