Thank you everyone for making 2025 such a special memorial.
This page will be updated in early 2026.
Click play to watch the short video from 2024.
Geordie philanthropist, Brian Burnie, has organised an epic walk from to mark VJ Day and honour all Far East PoW’s – Join us, Friday 15th August 2025.
For ALL Far East Prisoners of War and our dear friend Len Gibson (BEM)
As Europe celebrated the surrender of German forces on VE Day, thousands of British, Commonwealth and Allied Armed Forces personnel were still involved in bitter fighting in the Far East. The VJ Day Memorial Walk remembers the ‘Forgotten Army’.
The memorial walk will start in Newcastle Civic Centre at 6.00am, Friday 15th August 2025 and travel through Gateshead to South Tyneside, at 11am, there will be a memorial service and the unveiling of a very special statue by Ray Lonsdale at 11am, South Shields Town Hall.
Len Gibson supported the cancer charity, Daft as a Brush Cancer Patient Care, who named one of their Ambulances in his honour ‘Len Guitar Gibson’. The anniversary of Japan’s surrender marks the end of World War II. Working on the infamous Burma Railway, only a fraction of the Far East PoW’s survived starvation, torture and Malaria.
Ray Lonsdale Statue – Remembering all Far East Prisoners of War
Remebering all of our VJ Day Heroes.
To commemorate ALL FAR EAST PRISONERS OF WORLD WAR II, Brian Burnie has commissioned local artist, Ray Lonsdale to create a statue in remembrance. For those who endured years on the notorious Burma Railway and Bridge over the River Kwai, suffered near starvation, disease and brutality as a Japanese prisoner of war. Many never returned.
Designed and built by Ray Lonsdale, the creator of Seaham’s ‘Tommy’ statue, it will be unveiled at 11am South Shields Town Hall.
Guests on the day will include the creator himself, Ray Lonsdale, local councillors and Vice Lord-Lieutenant, Lieutenant General Robin Brims, in addition to members of the public and special guest too – Don’t miss out on this amazing event for the 80th Anniversary of VJ Day 2025.
The statue depicts local war hero, Len Gibson BEM, when he was liberated in 1945 from the Burma ‘Death’ Railway, handing his home-made guitar to a young local boy as a symbol of peace and forgiveness, as he was released from Far East captivity to come home.
Watch the short video below👇
Click play to watch the short video.
Geordie philanthropist, Brian Burnie, has organised a statue to honour ALL Far East Prisoners of War.
HD rushes are available for all media outlets, please contact us.
80th Anniversary – VJ Day Memorial Walk Friday 15th August 2025
Join the Annual Memorial Walk
Everyone is invited to walk from Newcastle to South Shields in South Tyneside in remembrance of the ‘Forgotten Army’. Many fought and died fighting the Japanese Army in Burma. Those who survived later taken prisoner and forced to work on the River Kwai Bridge and Railway.
Daft as a Brush Cancer Patient Care founder, Brian is once again organising a walk in memory of all Far East Prisoners of War.
More information please email peter.stoten@daftasabrush.org.uk
Brian Burnie and artist Ray Lonsdale
Ray's suggested design for the statue.
Can you support the VJ Day Memorial Walk?
Route of the VJ Walk – Friday 15th August 2025
“We hope communities can come together on Friday 15th and walk just a few paces, a mile or two or perhaps a little further to support and remember the ‘forgotten army’. If we can ask veterans, members of the community and schools to walk just a mile or two, that would be incredibly moving.” Brian Burnie.
A Wearside Lad in World War II – By Len Gibson (B.E.M)
The extraordinary story of Len Gibson’s life as a prisoner of war in the Far East – Now only £8.99.
‘Len Gibson: A Wearside Lad in World War II’ looks back on Len’s remarkable life as a Japanese prisoner of war, where he endured three and a half years of forced labour, near-starvation, disease and brutality.
Len has influenced and supported many people including music-royalty Dave Stewart co-founder of the ‘Euthymics’ and professional footballer Keith Adams who played for Sunderland and Australian Nationals. Currently living in Melbourne, Keith was an ex-pupil of Len’s at his former school where he was Deputy Head, Hasting Hill Primary School.
Cheques are accepted via post to Daft as a Brush House, Gosforth, Newcastle, NE3 2DR. Or, call in to see us! Our Reception is open from 9am-5pm Monday to Friday for card and cash payments.
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