1940's

Parents of POW Allen Silk of Rayville Get Update Via Shortwave Radio On Son’s Status | WWII | Captured in 1942

Sgt. Allen L. Silk of Marine Corps Reported Missing in Manila Bay Area

Sgt. Allen L. Silk of Marine Corps Reported Missing in Manila Bay Area Sat, May 16, 1942 – 1 · The Richland Beacon-News (Rayville, Louisiana, United States of America) · Newspapers.com

American Soldier Boy Radios From Jap Prison Camp Where Allen Silk Is Confined

American Soldier Boy Radios From Jap Prison Camp Where Allen Silk Is Confined Sat, Aug 21, 1943 – 2 · The Richland Beacon-News (Rayville, Louisiana, United States of America) · Newspapers.com


June 29, 1944

Letter from Mrs. W. L. Cecelia McKie, Sacramento, CA

The following message was heard by short wave from Radio Tokio on June 24, 1944, when messages were sent from American prisoners of war in Japanese camps.  The message was apparently recorded by your son, and I hope it is genuine.

I have been listening in steadily to these broadcasts for almost a year and a half, taking these messages in shorthand and relaying them to the relative of the man interned.  To date I have written about 2855 letters, and all expenses are borne by my immediate family.  I am employed during the day and can work at this hobby of mine only late at night and on weekends.  i have fallen behind in my correspondence, which explains the lateness of the letter.  The message is as follows:

“ This is Herbert Raymond Confer broadcasting to his mother and father,…………………. Tell Mrs. F. N. Silk, of Rayville, Louisiana, that her son is well, and sends his love. Dad, say hello to Aunt Cara, Joan and Uncle Roy Edwards, also to Carl and Wilbert and the kids.  Hope they are all well and feeling fine.

2 replies »

  1. So wonderful seeing all these posts of my dad, Allen Silk. To confirm, wife was The late Melda Silk and they had three children-Bruce, Suzette, and Leigh Anne

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