An old section of the Tyne and Wear Metro track is set to be transformed into a new war memorial in South Shields, commemorating British soldiers who served in the Asia-Pacific region during World War Two. Nexus, the operator of the Metro, has donated 10 metres of retired track for the project.
Memorial to Honour Len Gibson and the 'Forgotten Army'
The memorial will honour veteran Len Gibson, originally from Sunderland, who was captured by Axis forces in Japan and forced to work on the infamous 'Death Railway' between Thailand and Myanmar (then Burma) from 1942 to 1943. Gibson was among 60,000 prisoners of war who endured brutal conditions constructing the railway. He died in 2021 at the age of 101.
Local philanthropist Brian Burnie, founder of the cancer charity Daft as a Brush, commissioned the statue to pay tribute to his friend. The statue of Gibson has stood in North Marine Park since late 2023. The new memorial, using the donated track and sleepers, will be added at the same location.
Project Funded by Philanthropist, Aiming for August Completion
Burnie is privately funding the project, which aims to be completed by Victory over Japan Day in August, with an opening ceremony planned. The track will form a new feature at the statue site, creating a lasting tribute to Gibson and the thousands of other British soldiers who died in the Far East.
Stuart Clarke, Infrastructure Director at Nexus, said: "We’re delighted to be able to donate used Metro track to support this amazing project. The track will form a new feature at the Len Gibson statue, creating a new memorial for Len Gibson and the many thousands of other British soldiers who died in the Far East during World War Two. Using the rails is poignant, given that British prisoners of war, including Mr Gibson, were forced to build the 'Death Railway' between Thailand and Myanmar (formerly Burma), from 1942 to 1943. By re-using these items in this way, it supports our own commitment to work sustainably in everything that we do, while helping the voluntary sector where we can."
Nexus and Burnie's Previous Collaboration
Nexus has previously worked with Burnie through Daft as a Brush, which specialises in transporting cancer patients to and from hospital for treatment. In 2024, staff from the transport operator chose the charity for fundraising, collecting £10,000.
Brian Burnie added: "It’s absolutely fantastic that Nexus has been able to donate some used Metro track for the project. I’m very grateful for their support, it will be a very moving piece of work. The memorial we’re going to create will be amazing. It will be an extra part of the Len Gibson statue at North Marine Park, representative of all those men who worked on the Burma railway when they were prisoners of war in the Far East. They are called the Forgotten Army and I want to redress that issue. We’re looking forward to getting started with the next phase of the project."
