The overall death rates in Japanese POW camps were twenty seven percent. In comparison, death rates in German POW camps were only four percent.

It was difficult for POWs to keep a positive attitude while surrounded with so much death and disease. Death was commonplace and a welcomed relief to the pain and suffering of some POWs. Former POW, Padre J N Duckworth, a chaplain who heard the last rites of dying POWs, acknowledged, “They died happy, released from their pain and suffering.” [1] Another ex-POW, Fred Seiker confessed when a POW died the typical reaction of those that knew him would be, “‘Lucky bastard, he's out of it.’ There never was intended disrespect. Death had become an accepted part of our existence.”[2] These attitudes of indifference towards death contributed to the POW death toll. One POW, who had malaria and a pocket full of quinine used to treat the disease, sold his supply of quinine to another POW for food. He died, soon after, from a malaria attack.[3]  Another ex-POW Lewis Elliott witnessed one POW, whose brother lay dying in the barracks of malaria, selling quinine (which was in short supply) for cigarettes.[4]