THE LIVERPOOL School of Tropical Medicine, the oldest institution of its kind in the world, is trying to locate the family of the the late Dr Frank Richard Philps MBE, who lived in Lewdown.

Dr Philps, formerly of Woodlands, Sydenham Wood, Lewdown, EX20 4PP, survived captivity in Java and the Spice Islands in the Far East during World War Two.

Serving as an RAF Flight Lieutenant during the war, he worked tirelessly as a much-respected medical officer, and in the early 1990s he published his highly-regarded memoir Prisoner Doctor, which contained some black and white images of his artwork.

Recently, in the course of its research into the history of former Far East captives, the school has unearthed some more of Dr Philps’ artwork, created during his time in captivity.

The researchers are planning an exhibition and would like to contact any surviving family of Dr Philps so that they can be involved.

Anyone with information is urged to contact honorary research fellow Meg Parkes by email at [email protected]