As Britain commemorates the 80th anniversary of VJ Day, the story of one remarkable but largely forgotten hero emerges from the shadows of history. Royal Navy medic Maurice Nisbet displayed extraordinary courage in the face of unimaginable brutality, saving hundreds of lives in Japanese prison camps during World War II.
The Hell of Japanese Captivity
When Singapore fell in February 1942, Nisbet found himself among the 80,000 British and Commonwealth troops captured by Japanese forces. What followed was three and a half years of unimaginable suffering in notorious camps like Changi and the deadly 'Death Railway' project.
A Medic's Extraordinary Courage
Despite facing starvation, disease and routine beatings himself, Nisbet risked his life daily to:
- Steal vital medical supplies from Japanese stores
- Treat fellow prisoners under cover of darkness
- Keep meticulous records of war crimes as evidence
His daughter, now 78, recalls: "Dad would say the Geneva Convention meant nothing to our captors. But he believed his medical oath meant everything."
The Long Road Home
When liberation finally came in August 1945, Nisbet weighed just six stone. Like many Far East prisoners of war, he returned to a Britain that didn't understand his trauma. The psychological scars remained until his death in 1982.
A Legacy of Quiet Heroism
Today, as fewer VJ Day veterans remain to tell their stories, Nisbet's family hopes his remarkable tale will inspire new generations to remember the sacrifices made in the Pacific theater - often overshadowed by D-Day and VE Day commemorations.
His medals, including the Burma Star and Pacific Star, stand as silent testament to courage that went far beyond the call of duty.
