A NEWPORT veteran taken prisoner in the Second World War met up with a former work colleague he had not seen for 20 years after an article about his harrowing experiences was published in the Argus.

David Davies, 83, said he was "dumfounded" to see George H Reynolds' story about his trip back to Taiwan, where he was held captive.

After working as a signaller during the first stages of the war, ex-gunner Mr Reynolds was captured at the fall of Singapore in 1942.

He was then sent on a vessel known as the "Hell Ship" and spent months on end at notorious prisoner of war camps, including Taihokm and Kinkaseki's copper mines.

The horrendous 12-hour work schedule led to him becoming half his body weight, at six stone.

When the camps were liberated in 1945, Mr Reynolds returned to Newport, and despite the torturous conditions he experienced, the pensioner has visited Taiwan six times since.

He travelled to the Far-Eastern country for the final time in November.

On his return, Mr Reynolds was surprised to see a letter from his old work colleague.

"It was tremendous. It was so many years I thought we'd forgotten each other," he said.

The pair had worked together at Standard telephones and cables on Corporation Road in the 1950s.

When Mr Davies saw the story in the Argus in October, he spent hours trying to trace his friend through the phonebook.

Former regimental signals officer Mr Davies, who worked for the Territorial Army and Royal Signals, now attends monthly Royal Artillery Association meetings with his ex-workmate.

"He hasn't changed that much even though he is 92," Mr Davies added.