Alistair Urquhart - The Forgotten Highlander

[The Egg Man]

I had the chance to meet this chap this afternoon and to hear him speak about his wartime experience.

He was with the Gordons in Singapore when it fell to the Japanese and his book recalls his time as a prison of war in a number of locations in the Far East.

He's 92 now but still spoke clearly and without notes for 30 minutes or so. I haven't had the chance to read the book yet but if you get the opportunity to hear him speak - don't pass it up.

More at http://news.bbc.co.uk/today/hi/today/ne ... 534377.stm

[RDR]

I've read the book. It was excellent.

[Dot]

Haven't read the book though I bought a copy of it for my Dad not so long ago.

[cumbo]

Great book, very honest warts and all, war history.

[The Egg Man]

World War II's Luckiest Man: Revealed.

Today, Fri 13th April 2012 on Yesterday on Freeview from 10:00pm to 11:00pm.

"Documentary series. Ninety-two-year-old Alistair Urquhart reveals for the first time the astonishing story of how he survived World War II."

[RDR]

World War II's Luckiest Man: Revealed.

Today, Fri 13th April 2012 on Yesterday on Freeview from 10:00pm to 11:00pm.

"Documentary series. Ninety-two-year-old Alistair Urquhart reveals for the first time the astonishing story of how he survived World War II."

Made a point of watching this last night.
What a wonderful man, and given the horrors he went through, he seemed very balanced and down to earth.

[Glesga_Steve]

I've read the book. It was excellent.

Seconded.

I bought it a while back as I was looking for a couple of books to take with me on a short trip. I got in in Tesco whilst doing grocery shopping; I wasn't looking for any particular books but that one caught my eye - I'm glad it did as it was a great read and an amazing account of this man's experience of life as a POW.

Even my wife (who isn't a fan of war-related books, fact or fiction) really enjoyed reading it (after I pestered her to do so).

I'm always amazed by the incredible levels of human spirit and bravery regaled in tales like this. I'm not sure modern generations would be able to withstand such horrors (my God, the Japanese Imperial Army were sadistic b******s). In saying that, I suppose there's an argument that it's the life you (have to) live that makes you the man you are.

I wish I had known there was a program on TV about him as I would have liked to watch it - anyone know if it's on again anytime soon?

[The Egg Man]

...............

I wish I had known there was a program on TV about him as I would have liked to watch it - anyone know if it's on again anytime soon?

It was on about 3 times that day. I'm sure it'll be repeated again.

[banjo]

alistair will be doing a talk about his experiences.balloch library,17th may,7.30pm.free event.

[The_Clincher]

I bought that book in a charity shop last week for my Mum, she had an Uncle who was a pow at the same time. It would be nice to see him indeed.