His family write on their website: "Des ... carried small sketchbooks with him, and recorded aspects of the voyage out [and] actions in Malaya and Singapore, in various media including pencil, ink, watercolour, and pastel."
But in 1942, Bettany became a prisoner of war in Singapore – first at Towner Road, then in Changi Jail.
His family write: "As well as documentary sketches, he kept spirits up by producing a series of cartoons, some of which satirised his captors."
"There are serious works documenting incidents which occurred during the various campaigns, but the spirit of much of the work is one of light-heartedness, helping Des to keep a sense of optimism in the face of a brutal captor. There are also touching works of nostalgia."
Bettany finally returned home in 1945, after the camp was handed to the prisoners. He later moved to Australia to work as an art teacher.
Here's a picture of Bettany chilling on the beach, along with a letter he wrote detailing his experiences (transcript here).
