15/10/2026
Muchea family’s wartime mission revealed.
Through the dark days of World War II from 1942–1945 an anxious Muchea family daily monitored Japanese short wave radio broadcasts from Singapore, Saigon and Jakarta listening for messages from Australian P.O.W.’s. Working from their family store they relayed hundreds of messages around Australia but sadly failed to find one of their own sons who had been missing since February 1942.
Former school teacher John (“Pete”) Peters with the help of his wife Blanche (nee Fewster) and daughter Joan were the dedicated family who made a tremendous effort to bring comfort to over 800 distraught families who had no knowledge of what had befallen their loved ones.
The story begins in October 1941 when 20 year old John Peters enlisted in the armed forces. Brother Bevan enlisted later, on December 8th 1941, the day Japan invaded Pearl Harbour. John left the Northam camp in January 1942 for an unknown destination (later to be discovered as Singapore). One letter came from John after his arrival in Singapore and then there was no further contact from him.
Anxious to know the whereabouts of his son, Pete purchased a dual wave short wave radio and began listening to all shortwave radio programmes that were sending out messages from Japanese prisoners of war. There was no S.E.C. in Muchea at that time and it needed one 2 volt wet battery, 3 large dry batteries and one bias battery, but the reception from overseas was always good. These messages were received at different times during the day. Pete, Blanche and Joan — unless Joan was needed in the shop — began writing as the messages came in. Pete and Blanche developed their own shorthand, but always made sure of addresses and all names mentioned. Pete wrote all the messages to the recipients after their evening meal. If he was able to contact any folk by phone, that was done immediately. In those days the guards vans on the trains always had an open mail bag in their van, so Pete used to wait up until the train came through be it 2 or 3 am and while the train was filling with water he would walk to the train (about 200 yards from the shop) and that day’s messages would be on their way. The number of letters in the Peters family possession total 810, a really comprehensive account of this family’s dedicated work.
Unfortunately, many more letters and telegrams seem to have disappeared over the years. Letters came from all over Australia and also a few from New Zealand, Africa and Great Britain.
From grateful families happy to know of their sons’ whereabouts. During these two years or more Pete and Mrs. Ethel Jacoby, chief organiser of the Red Cross Society of W.A. had become regular correspondents and gift exchangers and had worked in close liaison regarding all these messages. Mrs. Jean Scott from the Malayan and Far Eastern Association also corresponded on a regular basis during these 2 years. Mrs. Scott wanted to nominate Pete for a reward for this work to his fellowman, but Pete, being Pete, would have none of it. As he explained it was for himself and Blanche that he listened, in anticipation of hearing from John. Sadly that was not to be.
Eventually peace came on August 15th 1945 but it was not until November 1945 that the family finally received the news first from the Red Cross and then the Army that John had lost his life on February 11th 1942 in Singapore.
John Charles Peters born 6th March 1890 originally came to W.A. on a 2 year exchange teacher programme in 1912. Joining the Australian Army in 1914 he served as a stretcher bearer. He was discharged as unfit for any further service. He expected repatriation to England but was returned to W.A. He was appointed Muchea school teacher in 1917. He taught there for 21 years until taking over the Muchea Store in 1937. He was also a farmer, keen sportsman, St. John Ambulance man and a friend to everyone. A true man of the people.
This article was printed by the kind permission of the Peters family.
Chittering Times 1995/1996
