<p>The forgotten story of the Irishman forced to work on Japan's Railway of Death which inspired the film The Bridge over the River Kwai.</p><p>In 1942 Britain suffered one of its worst defeats when Singapore fell to the Japanese Army. Tens of thousands were taken prisoner including the Dubliner Don Kennedy. This began a brutal ordeal. Don was forced to help build what became known as Japan’s Railway of Death through the jungles of South East Asia.</p><p>In this episode Don’s son Fergus tells the remarkable story of how his father became involved in constructing the notorious River Kwai railway. Fergus shares how his father endured starvation, disease and brutality in the jungles of South East Asia.</p><br><p>Fergus has published Don’s story in his recent book From Ballybunion to the Kwai. You can get your copy here <a href="https://www.gillbooks.ie/history/history/ballybunion-to-the-river-kwai" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.gillbooks.ie/history/history/ballybunion-to-the-river-kwai</a></p><br><p>Sound by Kate Dunlea.</p><p> </p><p>Support the show at www.patreon.com/irishpodcast</p><hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>

Irish History Podcast

Fin Dwyer

Railway of Death: The Irishman Who Survived Japanese Prison Camp in World War II

DEC 10, 202540 MIN
Irish History Podcast

Railway of Death: The Irishman Who Survived Japanese Prison Camp in World War II

DEC 10, 202540 MIN

Description

<p>The forgotten story of the Irishman forced to work on Japan's Railway of Death which inspired the film The Bridge over the River Kwai.</p><p>In 1942 Britain suffered one of its worst defeats when Singapore fell to the Japanese Army. Tens of thousands were taken prisoner including the Dubliner Don Kennedy. This began a brutal ordeal. Don was forced to help build what became known as Japan’s Railway of Death through the jungles of South East Asia.</p><p>In this episode Don’s son Fergus tells the remarkable story of how his father became involved in constructing the notorious River Kwai railway. Fergus shares how his father endured starvation, disease and brutality in the jungles of South East Asia.</p><br><p>Fergus has published Don’s story in his recent book From Ballybunion to the Kwai. You can get your copy here <a href="https://www.gillbooks.ie/history/history/ballybunion-to-the-river-kwai" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.gillbooks.ie/history/history/ballybunion-to-the-river-kwai</a></p><br><p>Sound by Kate Dunlea.</p><p> </p><p>Support the show at www.patreon.com/irishpodcast</p><hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>