MISSIONARY'S COURAGE

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 211, 3 June 1944, Page 3

MISSIONARY'S COURAGE

The circumstances in which the Rev. Alfred Sadd, 8.A., met his death at the hands of the Japanese on Tarawa Island after he had declined to leave the Gilberts in the hope that the Japanese would respect bis missionary calling and allow him to continue his work, were reported at the quarterly meeting of tlie Wellington auxiliary of the Loudon Missionary Society recently. So far as could be learned, Mr. Sadd was taken prisoner by tbe Japanese toward tbe end of August, 1942. and was taken, together with a few other British prisoners, to Tarawa Island, it. was stated. No news could bo obtained concerning these men iu spite of inquiries through Tied Cross and other agencies. It seemed from information received from natives in Tarawa Island that after the iirisoners bud been held for some t.mc there was an American air raid on the island, which greatly annoyed the Japanese. As a reprisal and with a view to over-awing tlie natives, the Japanese shut nil tbe prisoners. The natives reported that Mr. Sadd maintained his cheerfulness throughout his imprisonment and that he was a great source of comfort aud strength to tbe other prisoners, endeavouring iu every way to prevent friction with the Japanese guards. Tbe guest speaker at the meeting was Mrs. Anakoolam. who is on holiday from India. She spoke of her work in a native State high school for boys in Indore. Central India, where her husband was principal for eight years and has now been appointed Director of lidueatioii in that State.