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Press Release.
A New Book to be launched on the 16th March, 2008 at 10.00 a.m. Victoria Park Primary School, Perth by Mr Bill Gaynor, OAM RFD
State President, The Returned & Services League of Australia WA Branch Incorporated
The Burma Railway,Hellships & Coalmines By Tony Carter and Neil MacPherson. ISBN: 9780646468938 (pbk.)
This book tells of the experiences of two soldiers, Mick McCarthy and Neil MacPherson, during World War II. They enlisted in the army because of a European War and spent most of their military service engaged in a struggle at close quarters with an entirely different enemy.
These men saw the dice of fate roll against them when they were captured by the Japanese – McCarthy captured in Singapore and MacPherson in Java three weeks later. They represent a unique group who saw the entire Burma-Thailand Railway, survived voyages in Hellships, eventually working as coalminers near a small village close to Nagasaki in Japan – the target of the second atomic bomb.
Their stories are common to many young servicemen of the time. But collectively they are fascinating, sharing their experiences as Prisoners of War under the Japanese. The reader is allowed to walk beside Mick and Neil sharing their innermost thoughts of the time, made possible by access to their diaries and personal papers. Their stories represent the faith, grit, courage and mateship of individuals thrown into circumstances beyond personal control.
An experience to be lived through; with no options, with no rights and all the personal freedoms withdrawn that are taken for granted by us in Australia sixty years later. The book contains extensive explanatory background material with references to authoritative sources, maps and many original photographs. Each chapter is equipped with five searching questions to assist the reader in analysing the content. The appendix contains gems – most never before published. The work is presented as a tool to stimulate further research for students of history or satisfy the enquiry of the casual reader.
“I could not put it down” -- Dr Rowley Richards - MBE OAM ED Former Regimental Medical Officer.
“The Burma Railway,Hellships & Coalmines is a different presentation of Australians at War.” William E (Bill) Gaynor OAM RFD State President, The Returned & Services League of Australia WA Branch Incorporated
“Truly a keepsake for every student of World War II.”
Roger Mansell, Director Center For Research, Allied POWS Under The Japanese Enquiries Western Australia to Neil MacPherson Email: macpherson.bros@bigpond.com
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