Any true stories of building the Burma Railway

Discussion in 'Burma & India' started by Simon E, Oct 27, 2020.

  1. Simon E

    Simon E New Member

    Hi Folks,
    a newbie to the forum here. I've asked permission of the moderators to ask this.

    I'm a freelance features writer specialising in History/Nostalgia, Vintage Transport, I come with an idea, plan it then pitch before writing it. I've written for several prestigious magazines blogs (mine and other peoples) and the Huff Post.

    I live near the National Arboretum in Staffordshire and have always been fascinated with the Burma Railway Memorial. I must have stood thoughtfully by the length of the actual piece of track they have a dozen times.

    Have you got any recollections/memories that have been told to you by Fathers or Grandfathers (or Mothers and Grandmothers, or perhaps you're a veteran and its your own story) of their experiences as P.O.W's building the Burma Railway, that I could include in an article I'm planning to write. I'll probably write it over winter for publication in the Spring of 2021. just a paragraph or 2. I'm looking for 3 or 4 pieces I can include

    What I can't offer is payment, feature writing doesn't pay as much as you'd think

    What I can offer is the promise of dignity when using the stories you share. and I can be as vague or precise as you wish, Username or first name and initial etc....

    The article will hopefully consist of the story of the railway, recollections and then a piece about the memorial at Alrewas (I have approached them already) and will be somewhere around 1500 to 200 words. I have a few publications in mind that I've written for in the past that would be interested in the article.

    Either post it on here (other members might like to read it) or PM me for my email address. Any out of copyright photos you can provide I'd be grateful for if you could grant me one off usage rights - with a credit to you

    So what's your story?
     
  2. CL1

    CL1 116th LAA and 92nd (Loyals) LAA,Royal Artillery

    Hello Simon

    Might be any idea to read through the many posts on here and see if anyone can assist you further
    burma railway | WW2Talk

    Regards
    Clive
     
    Simon E likes this.
  3. Simon E

    Simon E New Member

    Thank you Clive I will do!
     
  4. Simon E

    Simon E New Member

    I hope I'm allowed a little 'bump' on this thread as I'm still struggling for the stories and would really appreciate any help.
     
  5. Tricky Dicky

    Tricky Dicky Don'tre member

  6. Simon E

    Simon E New Member

    I'll check out those links. I can get stories off the internet but I need permission from the person (or relatives) to quote them in the article perhaps one those links might be able to help - Thanks for the reply!
     
  7. Maureene

    Maureene Well-Known Member

    Interviews by ABC Radio (Australia) originally broadcast in 1984 has three episodes on the Burma Railway
    Australians Under Nippon - ABC Radio National (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)

    Two books are available on the Internet Archive Lending Library section, perhaps there may be more.
    The railway man : Lomax, Eric, author : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive
    The Railway Man by Eric Lomax
    This was made into a film


    Burma Railway Man : secret letters from a Japanese POW : the remarkable record of Charles Steel, a Japanese POW by Brian Best
    Burma Railway Man : secret letters from a japanese POW : the remarkable record of Charles Steel, a Japanese POW : Best, Brian, 1941- : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive

    Maureen
     
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