Old track which was once used on the Tyne and Wear Metro has been donated to create a new memorial to British soldiers who served in the Far East during World War Two.
Ten metres of track will commemorate a North East soldier and his fellow prisoners who built the so-called “Death Railway” between Thailand and Myanmar (formerly Burma) from 1942 to 1943. It will be located at the statue of Sunderland World War Two veteran Len Gibson, who was captured by Japan, which has stood in South Shields’ North Marine Park since late 2025.
The aim is to complete the new memorial in time for VJ Day in August, when an opening ceremony will be held.
Stuart Clarke, Infrastructure Director at Nexus, said: “We’re delighted to be able to donate used Metro track to support this amazing project.
“The track will form a new feature at the Len Gibson statue, creating a new memorial for Len Gibson and the many thousands of other British soldiers who died in the Far East during World War Two.
“Using the rails is poignant, given that British prisoners of war, including Mr 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.”
Local philanthropist, Brian Burnie, has privately funded the tribute, having previously commissioned the statue of Len Gibson, who died aged 101 in 2021. Mr Burnie said: “It’s absolutely fantastic that Nexus has been able to donate some used Metro track for the project. I’m very grateful for their support. It will be a very moving piece of work
“The memorial we’re going to create will be amazing. It will be an extra part of the Len Gibson statue at North Marine Park, representative of all those men who worked on the Burma railway when they were prisoners of war in the Far East.
“They are called the Forgotten Army and I want to redress that issue. We’re looking forward to getting started with the next phase of the project.”