The Forgotten Highlander
My Incredible Story of Survival During the War in the Far East
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The Forgotten Highlander
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Narrated by:
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David Rintoul
About this listen
Alistair Urquhart was a soldier in the Gordon Highlanders captured by the Japanese in Singapore. He not only survived working on the notorious Bridge on the River Kwai, but he was subsequently taken on one of the Japanese ‘hellships’ which was torpedoed. Nearly everyone else on board died and Urquhart spent 5 days alone on a raft in the South China Sea before being rescued by a whaling ship. He was taken to Japan and then forced to work in a mine near Nagasaki. Two months later a nuclear bomb dropped just ten miles away . . .
This is the extraordinary story of a young men, conscripted at nineteen and whose father was a Somme Veteran, survived not just one, but three close encounters with death - encounters which killed nearly all his comrades.
2011, Independent Booksellers Award, Short-listed
©2010 Alistair Urquhart (P)2010 Hachette Audio UKListeners also enjoyed...
What listeners say about The Forgotten Highlander
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Amazon Customer
- 15-12-16
Incredible book
I highly recommend this book, it's an incredible personal story. It's very well produced, too.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- The Village Green
- 30-04-19
Powerful
A deeply moving account of what it was like to be a POW in the aftermath of Singapore’s fall; toiling on the death railway; the hell ships; and working at a coal mine near Nagasaki. At times it was hard to listen to this account, such was the inhumanity the captors displayed towards their prisoners and the misery they inflicted.
The ‘forgotten’ part of the book’s title reflects the British army and government’s attitude towards the POW survivors: a shrugging indifference that bordered on outright negligence. Details of the suffering were swept under the carpet as post-war trading and political concerns took precedence. A must-read for anyone interested in what life was like for POWs in the Far East.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Amazon Customer
- 06-03-24
A must read
An absolutely remarkable man with a story everyone should hear. An insight into a dark time in history that shouldn't be forgotten.
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- Joe S.
- 09-11-24
Realism of what happened during Japanese occupation of ww2
No one should complain about modern day inadequacies after listening to this. Highly recommend with a very clear voice by the narrator.
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- S. Wren
- 19-11-21
Whatever life throws at you keep living
Such an amazing book and shows what the power of the human spirit can endure. No matter what life throws at you keep living and keep the darkness at bay.
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Keith
- 27-10-13
Unforgettable and an insight of The Forgotten Army
Where does The Forgotten Highlander rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?
One of the best I have heard
What did you like best about this story?
the way that it lead from one area to the next
Have you listened to any of David Rintoul’s other performances? How does this one compare?
no
Did you have an emotional reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?
I did I had tears in my eyes
Any additional comments?
I was very glad I had ordered it
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Ben Yates
- 23-07-19
astonishing
An unbelievable account of what those poor men went through for us and their country. Narration doesn't quite get across the harrowing atrocities but an excellent book none the less
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- Anonymous User
- 22-06-23
This story of history must not be forgotten.
Very sticky and intense story. As my grandfather worked on these same railroads, having never met him, I really appreciate this historical glimpse into his life.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- David
- 26-10-20
brought tears to my eyes
we should be teaching this subject to the kids at school they should know the struggles our grandfathers went through.
it would help the youngsters deal with the problems life hits them with.
LEAST WE FORGET
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- Dean Mccarthy
- 19-04-19
touching yet harrowing
such a sad story of ww2 as many are, this book has without a doubt been the best one yet. well told by the narrator and indeed well written by Alistair urquhart.
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