Book description
After Singapore falls to the Japanese early in 1942, 70 000 prisoners
including 15 000 Australians, are held as POWs at the notorious Changi
prison, Singapore. To amuse themselves and fellow inmates, a group of
sportsmen led by the indefatigable and popular 'Chicken' Smallhorn,
created an Australian Football League, complete with tribunal, selection
panel, umpires and coaches. The final game of the one and only season
was between 'Victoria' and the 'Rest of Australia', which attracted 10
000 spectators, and a unique Brownlow Medal was awarded in this unlikely
setting under the curious gaze of Japanese prison guards. Meet the main
characters behind this spectacle: Peter Chitty, the farm hand from Snowy
River country with unfathomable physical and mental fortitude, and one
of eight in his immediate family who volunteered to fight and serve in
WW2; 'Chicken' Smallhorn, the Brownlow-medal winning little man with the
huge heart; and 'Weary' Dunlop, the courageous doctor, who cares for the
POWs as they endure malnutrition, disease and often inhuman treatment.
CHANGI BROWNLOW is a story of courage and the invincibility of the human
spirit, and highlights not only the Australian love of sport, but its
power to offer consolation in times of extreme hardship. Roland Perry
has written many books, covering a range of topics from espionage, to
politics, to cricket. His most recent titles include THE AUSTRALIAN
LIGHT HORSE, BRADMAN'S INVINCIBLES and MONASH. Roland Perry has also
written biographies of Sir Donald Bradman, Keith Miller, Steve Waugh and
Shane Warne.
