The Forgotten Highlander is the harrowing memoir of Alistair Urquhart, a Scottish soldier who endured unimaginable hardships during World War II. Captured by the Japanese, he faced brutal forced labor on the infamous Burma Railway while clinging to fragments of hope. His experiences of survival and resilience in the face of adversity illuminate the darker chapters of history. As Urquhart reflects on the power of the human spirit, his story unveils the profound scars left by war. Will he ever find peace after such a tumultuous journey? Dive into this gripping tale of survival and courage.
By Alistair Urquhart
Published: 2011
""Survival is not just about enduring suffering, but finding hope amidst the darkest of times.""
Alistair Urquhart was among the Gordon Highlanders captured by the Japanese in Singapore during World War II. He not only survived 750 days in the jungle working as a slave on the notorious “death railway” and the bridge on the River Kwai, but he was subsequently taken prisoner on one of the Japanese “hellships” which was later torpedoed, killing nearly everyone on board—but not Urquhart. He spent five days adrift on a raft in the South China Sea before being rescued by a Japanese whaling ship. He was then taken to Japan and forced to work in a mine near Nagasaki. Two months later he was struck by the blast from the atomic bomb—dropped just ten miles away. In late August 1945, now a barely-living skeleton, he was freed by the American Navy and was able to bathe for the first time in three and a half years. This is the extraordinary story of a young man, conscripted at nineteen, who survived not just one but three separate encounters with death—encounters which killed nearly all his comrades. Silent for over fifty years, this is Urquhart’s extraordinary, moving, and inspirational tale as an ex-POW.
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“"Survival is not just about enduring suffering, but finding hope amidst the darkest of times."”
The Forgotten Highlander
By Alistair Urquhart
Discover a world of knowledge through our extensive collection of book summaries.
Alistair Urquhart is a Scottish author known for his compelling narrative style and engaging prose. He gained prominence with his notable works, including 'The Forgotten Highlander', which recounts his harrowing experiences as a prisoner of war during World War II. Urquhart's writing often explores themes of resilience and the human spirit, drawing on his own life experiences. His ability to weave historical events with personal reflection provides readers with a unique perspective on war and survival.
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