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United KingdomDave the fuel explosion in April to which you refer was the first of two which occured over a 5 month period and Gower was injured in the second incident months later
On the 12th August HMS Glenearn sailed for Finschhaven two days later petrol was noticed leaking from a pipe on No 1 mess deck and there was another ignition of fuel resulting in flames spewing out of the ventilation trunking into the Marines locker room. It was on this occasion that Kenneth Gowing Seaman, RNPS, LT/JX 544407 was overcome from fuel inhalation .He was rescued and carried out by the Ship's Captain Hutchinson.
The Glenearn was at that time under orders to sail to Hong Kong but needed to put in at Brisbane first to pick up medical and other supplies. Gower was put off and taken to Brisbane hospital where he later died of pnuemonia presumably as a result of the dmage to his lungs.
Later, on route to HK the Glenearn called in at the port of Sama (island of Hainan). Numerous Japanese landing craft came alongside full of released POWs and 334 embarked to be let off at Shanghai
Whilst at Shanghai the Glenearn took on 350 British, Australian Dutch & Canadian Nationals who had been interned for 3 years. Sailing to HK was postphoned for 48 hours due to a typhoon in the yellow sea.
Due to the delays and rough seas the POW's were on board for 6 days but on arrival in HK most couldn't dissembark immediately as there was no accommodation and HK, which was in chaos.
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