The Forgotten Highlander

The Forgotten Highlander by Alistair Urquhart is an astonishing and deeply moving memoir of survival, resilience, and courage in the face of incomprehensible hardship. At the age of nineteen, Urquhart, a soldier in the Gordon Highlanders, was captured by Japanese forces in Singapore during World War II. His ordeal was just beginning; he was forced to labour on the infamous Bridge on the River Kwai, enduring inhuman conditions and brutal treatment. Many of his comrades perished, yet Urquhart's will to survive remained unbroken.

Following his harrowing time on the railway, Urquhart was sent on one of the notorious Japanese 'hellships', where he faced yet another brush with death. When the ship was torpedoed by a US submarine, nearly all onboard perished. Against the odds, Urquhart survived, spending five days alone adrift on a raft in the South China Sea before being rescued by a passing whaling ship.

His ordeal continued as he was taken to Japan, where he was forced to work in a coal mine near Nagasaki. By a twist of fate, Urquhart found himself a near witness to the devastation of the atomic bomb dropped just ten miles away. The blast left an indelible mark on his life, adding yet another layer to his incredible story of survival.

Urquhart's memoir is not simply a recounting of events but a profound testament to the human spirit's strength. Conscription at a young age and following in the footsteps of his father, a veteran of the Battle of the Somme, Urquhart’s experience in wartime captivity is an extraordinary tale of endurance. His recollections are vivid and heart-wrenching, offering a unique perspective on the terrifying trials endured by prisoners of war.

The Forgotten Highlander is a compelling and inspirational story that delves into the darkest periods of human history and emerges with a message of hope and resilience. It provides modern readers with a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made and the incredible capacity for endurance displayed by those who lived through the horrors of war.