A new war memorial in South Shields, built with old Tyne and Wear Metro tracks, has been officially unveiled to the public. The sculpture commemorates British soldiers who served in the Far East during World War Two and is based in North Marine Park.
VJ Day ceremony
The ceremony marking Victory over Japan Day, on Saturday, August 15, was specifically inspired by North East soldier Len Gibson and his fellow prisoners, who built the "Death Railway" between Thailand and Myanmar from 1942 to 1943.
The track and sleepers form a poignant statue which was built last year by local philanthropist Brian Burnie, a close friend of the veteran Mr Gibson, who is from Sunderland and was one of the 60,000 Allied prisoners who were forced to make the railway.
Nexus volunteer day
The memorial took around ten metres of Metro track to create and was installed by a team of Nexus staff as part of a volunteer day. Through these days, the transport provider helps its team members to support good causes and social value projects.
Cathy Massarella, Managing Director of Nexus, said: "This is a fantastic and particularly poignant social value project. We are honoured to be a part of it.
"The used Metro tracks have created a stunning new memorial for British troops who served in the Far East during World War Two, and it really complements the Len Gibson statue that Mr Burnie unveiled at North Marine Park last year.
"The use of the Metro rails and sleepers is especially moving, given that British prisoners of war, including Len 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. Our Infrastructure Works Delivery Team have done an amazing job putting in the track during their volunteer day."
Tribute to Len Gibson
Brian Burnie founded cancer charity Daft as a Brush and commissioned the statue to pay tribute to his "wonderful" friend, who died aged 101, in 2021. The charity, which specialises in transporting cancer patients to and from hospital for treatment, was selected by Nexus employees in 2024 as a chosen charity, with £10,000 fundraised as a result.
Mr Burnie added: "I'm really grateful for the support we've has from Nexus on this project. I can't thank them enough for the rails and their efforts to install the track.
"The finished memorial looms amazing. It's a poignant commemoration for all the British soldiers who served in the far east during the war. We will always remember them."
