of the vessels caught up in the attempted escapes was the ML 310 transporting Spooner, Air Vice Marshal Conway Pulford and some 40 others. The vessel was attacked by Japanese aircraft and its passengers became stranded on a small island called Chibia (Tjibia, Tjebia). Chibia was part of the Juju group located north of Bangka Island, and was uninhabited. Even worse, there was almost no fresh water. Despite British search efforts, the stranded refugees remained on the island for two months before disease and starvation forced the survivors to surrender to the Japanese. By that time, both Spooner and Pulford had died of exhaustion and malaria. Family In 1926 Spooner married the noted soprano Megan Foster. References 1887 births 1942 deaths Companions of the Distinguished Service Order Military of Singapore under British rule People educated at West Downs School Royal Navy admirals of World War II Royal Navy officers of World War I Royal Navy personnel killed in World War II Burials at Kranji War Cemetery Military personnel from Winchester British people in British Malaya