A MAN who witnessed the "pitiful sight" of shattered prisoners of war returning to Britain has sent a letter of protest to the Government about the award of the Order of the Garter to Emperor Akihito.

Jan Thomas, aged 64, of Freshfield Avenue, Atherton, was just 12 when he saw the prisoners return home and says the image will remain with him forever.

He says the honour bestowed on the Emperor is an insult to the veterans and has sent a letter of protest.

But in a letter sent shortly before the visit, the Foreign Office defended the decision to grant the award presented by the Queen on Ministerial advice.

Lee Farnsworth, of the Far Eastern and Pacific Department, said: "The Emperor of Japan, who was still a child when the war ended, will be the fourth successive Japanese Emperor to receive the Order of the Garter.

"The honour was restored to his father in 1971.

"We have enormous sympathy for all those who suffered so terribly in Japanese prison camps during the Second World War.

"Since taking office, the Government has made considerable efforts to explore ways in which to help former prisoners.

"We understand and respect the views of former prisoners for whom all this is not enough.

"We maintain close contact with all groups that represent former prisoners."

But a disgusted Mr Thomas said: "I was still a schoolboy when our men and women came home after suffering humiliation, torture and starvation and we were all extremely angry at the way they had been treated.

"They were in a terrible state and ashamed of how they looked.

"They were physically and mentally distressed and only they and those of us who saw them will be able to appreciate the hurt and disgust they feel.

"It seems people in positions of power are able to award each other honours as easily as the giving of cigars at the rich functions they attend.

"Meanwhile, the rest of us would have to sweat blood and still not be recognised for our achievements.

"It is so very wrong to offend those who suffered for this country at the hands of the Japanese, but so long as trinkets can be exchanged between leaders, who is to worry or care about cannon-fodder? The system stinks."

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