You Must Endure: The Lancashire Loyals in Japanese captivity, 1942-1945

On February 15, 1942, the Lancashire Loyals were captured in Singapore and sent to the Keijo POW camp in Korea. This book tells the previously untold story of their three and a half years of incarceration, including brutality, starvation, and disease. Despite these hardships, the prisoners sought ways to keep their spirits up, such as staging sophisticated shows, growing fresh vegetables, and publishing a banned journal. Chris Given-Wilson writes with warmth and humor, revealing both the best and worst of human nature.

\n Format: Paperback / softback
\n Length: 170 pages
\n Publication date: 15 October 2021
\n Publisher: Carnegie Publishing Ltd
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The time was 7.40 p.m., the date 15 February 1942. The light was fading fast, the Allied forces were encircled, and the bombardment was relentless as Singapore fell to the Japanese. Discarding their weapons, the Lancashire Loyals quietly withdrew to their quarters, where they 'composed themselves as best they could for the silent ordeal of the night, numbed and galled by the bitterness of enforced surrender. So began three and a half years of incarceration at Keijo POW camp in Korea. This is the previously untold story of the brave Lancastrians who endured, told by Chris Given-Wilson, whose father was one of those captured. It is a story of brutality, starvation, and disease, but also one of survival, determination, and creativity. Among the many ways the prisoners sought to keep their spirits up were the staging of surprisingly sophisticated shows, complete with Gloria d'Arrie, the resident female impersonator; the growing of fresh vegetables to improve their health; and the regular publication of Nor Iron Bars (co-edited by the authors father), with its satirical portrayals of camp life. Copies of this banned journal were successfully concealed from the guards to be smuggled home, and can be seen at the Lancashire Infantry Museum. Chris Given-Wilson writes with warmth and humor, to reveal both the best and the worst of human nature. This book should be read by everyone, but perhaps especially all proud Lancastrians.

\n Weight: 362g\n
Dimension: 154 x 235 x 15 (mm)\n
ISBN-13: 9781910837351\n \n