Unexpected family reunion for local teacher at Melbourne shrine

Ms Carr and fellow teacher Carolyn White oversaw their Year 10 and 11 history students as they were guided through one of Victoria’s most sacred site as part of their studies into World War II.

This was when they discovered an enormous glass mural image of Ms Carr’s grandfather, Reg Cowan, leading into the room dedicated to World War II.

Reg, who was a prisoner of war of the Japanese, was of the Numurkah Mob, members of the 4th Anti-Tank Regiment who fought and were captured after the Fall of Singapore in February 1942.

After his capture, Ref suffered the unimaginable, being a POW for three and a half years; enduring starvation, beatings and being assigned as a slave labourer to work on the Thai Burma Railway and the infamous Hellfire Pass.

Throughout this time, the Cowans did not know whether Reg was alive or dead.

Despite suffering malaria, dysentery and the horrors of tropical ulcers, which almost cost him his leg, Reg survived.

The photo Ms Carr and her students came across was taken in September 1945 when the victorious Allies discovered the POWs.

At 6 foot 1, Reg weighed just 36kg in the photograph, a testament to all he had experienced.

“Our family has seen the photo many times,” Ms Carr said.

“It is in historical books and textbooks, and it is so special to us, but to see it at the Shrine in such a way was an incredible shock: I had goosebumps and tears.

“Our guide was also incredibly excited seeing such a connection take place.”

Ms Carr is now planning to take members of her family to Melbourne to see the mural as soon as she can.

“My Pa and my Nana June would have been tremendously proud to know that this photo is in the Shrine, Victoria’s most sacred place,” she said.

“To know the experiences of the POWs will never be forgotten is so important to our family, and we are honoured that this photo is there in such an exceptional way.”