A ardour for classic guitars coupled with an internet advert has helped uncover an ingenious story about resilience, music and an Australian Prisoner of War.
In tonight’s episode of Up Late, Ben Harvey explains how whereas trawling the web for his subsequent ardour buy, accountant Darren Lewson got here throughout an attention-grabbing instrument.
Intrigued, Mr Lewson started to analysis the guitar with the letters JMG emblazoned on its head. Harvey tells the way it was made in Bayswater by Jack Maskiell Guitars. Further probing led Mr Lewson to uncover some stunning details about the corporate’s founder and luthier.
While Sgt Maskiell died in 1966, Mr Lewson is decided the luthier of Changi is just not forgotten. This willpower spawned a track, recorded on certainly one of Sgt Maskiell’s guitars – which is revealed in tonight’s episode of Up Late.
Sgt Maskiell was a Perth-born soldier who wound up as a POW throughout World War II.
While recovering from having his leg amputated in Singapore’s notorious Changi Prison, Sgt Maskiell had a brainwave. Harvey explains how the then-30-year-old made a rudimentary ukulele. The instrument little question helped hold the spirits of his fellow troops up, with Sgt Maskiell educating different troopers learn how to make their very own ukuleles.
After the liberation of Singapore and his discharge from the military Sgt Maskiell returned to Perth. There, he based JMG and like his time in Changi, employed ex-servicemen and POWs particularly. The business was a convincing success, with the guitars turning into extremely sought-after by collectors.
Mr Lewson informed Harvey that “This man (Sgt Maskiell) of incredible courage, determination and impregnable positivity did not let the war or the harsh brutality of his treatment in Changi Prison remove the music from his heart”.
Lest we neglect.
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
