Surviving the Death Railway: A PoW's Memoir and Letters from Home

Description

The ordeals of the POWs put to slave labour by their Japanese masters on the Burma Railway have been well documented yet never cease to shock. It is impossible not to be horrified and moved by their stoic courage in the face of inhuman brutality, appalling hardship and ever-present death.While Barry Custance Baker was enduring his 1000 days of captivity, his young wife Phyllis was attempting to correspond with him and the families of Barrys unit. Fortunately these moving letters have been preserved and appear, edited by their daughter Hilary, in this book along with Barrys graphic memoir written after the War. Surviving the Death Railways combination of first-hand account, correspondence and comment provide a unique insight into the long nightmare experienced by those in the Far East and at home. The result is a powerful and inspiring account of one of the most shameful chapters in the history of mankind which makes for compelling reading.;Title Page; Copyright; Dedication; Contents; Acknowledgements; Notes to Reader; Preface; Timeline; Family Tree; Maps; Part One: Barry, Phyllis and 27 Line Section; Chapter 1: Britain: Spring 1937 to Spring 1941; After the ball, Barry and Phyllis; Honeymoon and war; 27 Line Section created; Part Two: 6,000 Miles East; Chapter 2: Britain to Malaya: July to December 1941; Dancing on the docks; Singapore and all's well; Wires across the jungle; First casualty; Chapter 3: Britain: Late 1941; Phyllis in the White House; Chapter 4: Malaya: December 1941; Japan and the UK at war. Title Page Copyright Dedication Contents Acknowledgements Notes to Reader Preface Timeline Family Tree Maps Part One: Barry, Phyllis and 27 Line Section Chapter 1: Britain: Spring 1937 to Spring 1941 After the ball, Barry and Phyllis Honeymoon and war 27 Line Section created Part Two: 6,000 Miles East Chapter 2: Britain to Malaya: July to December 1941 Dancing on the docks Singapore and all's well Wires across the jungle First casualty Chapter 3: Britain: Late 1941 Phyllis in the White House Chapter 4: Malaya: December 1941 Japan and the UK at war. Chapter 5: Britain: December 1941 to January 1942Phyllis, Robin and rabbits Chapter 6: Malaya: December 1941 to 15 February 1942 Last letters home War in the city Singapore falls Part Three: Wall of Silence Chapter 7: Britain: February to March 1942 The silence begins Chapter 8: Singapore: February to August 1942 Changi Early deaths Chapter 9: Britain: March to August 1942 Writing to a ghost False comfort Chapter 10: Singapore: September 1942 Memorial at Bukit Timah Chapter 11: Britain: October 1942 News for the lucky few. Chapter 12: Singapore to Thailand (Siam): November 1942To Siam in cattle trucks Ban Pong, Siam/Thailand Moving earth, Tamuang to Wang Lan Chapter 13: Britain: Late 1942 Dreams and plans Good news? Chapter 14: Thailand: December 1942 to March 1943 Making and mending, hungrier and thinner Chapter 15: Britain: January to March 1943 Postmistress, mother, friend and wife Chapter 16: Thailand: April 1943 Wampo [Wang Pho] Viaduct Chapter 17: Britain: Spring 1943 The missing story Chapter 18: Thailand: Spring 1943 Walking, walking, long time walking North from Wampo. The end of the road, 211k CampBeyond the call of duty Chapter 19: Britain: Summer 1943 Silent summer Chapter 20: Thailand: Summer 1943 Chungkai, storyteller and lady almoner Chapter 21: Britain: November 1943 to February 1944 Down to twenty-five words Chapter 22: Thailand: Late 1943 to Early 1944 Hospital orderly Chapter 23: Britain: Spring to Summer 1944 Barry is alive Chapter 24: Thailand: 1944 Clinging to hope in Chungkai Kongsi Chapter 25: Britain: Autumn1944 News of the 'hellships' Chapter 26: Thailand: Chungkai 1944 Chorus girl. Chapter 27: Britain: December 1944 to May 1945Phyllis and the War Office Signalman Potter & Signalman Riley Chapter 28: Britain: May to August 1945 Delivering bad news Chapter 29: Thailand: Early 1945 Bridge over the River Kwai Barbed wire at Kanchanaburi (Kanburi) camp The last 200km, Nakhon Nayok Part Four: Picking up the Pieces Chapter 30: Britain: August 1945 Peace at a cost Chapter 31: Thailand to India: Freedom An American paratrooper Trying to bridge the void Chapter 32: Britain: September 1945 The telegram Chapter 33: Britain: Autumn 1945 Second honeymoon.