I'd like to try and find out more about this priest if possible ... apparently he was helping the Allies also .... FRANCIS DOUGLAS Frank, a New Zealander, was killed on 27 August 1943 during the Japanese occupation of the Philippines in Second World War. He was 33 years old. Japanese Military Police took Frank into custody on 24 July in Pililla, his parish about 25 miles from Manila. The Military Police wanted to question Frank about some Filipino guerilla leader. They eventually took him to the town of Paete, Laguna, and there in the baptistery of the church he was beaten and given the water cure. There were many witnesses to this, as the town was under investigation at the time. He was left lying in the church for some days with other men, when he asked to see the priest (a Filipino). The priest found Frank very weak and clad in shorts only. As the interpreter insisted on being present, only very little conversation passed between them. He gave Frank absolution and saw him no more. It is believed he was killed in Logos, Laguna, and that Filipino Military Police agents (collaborators) did the actual killing. He had taken a terrific beating in Paete, and the blood was on the walls of the baptistery for many months afterwards. His body was never found. Frank was born on 22 May 1920 in Johnsville, New Zealand. He was educated at Johnsville primary school and Marist Brothers, Wellington. Studied for priesthood at Holy Cross, Mosgiel, and ordained for the diocese of Wellington in 1934. Joined the Columbans in 1937 and went to the Philippines in 1938.
