Wear Metro and saw staff from Nexus involved in its construction, has been officially unveiled on the anniversary of VJ Day, Saturday 15th August.
The war memorial has been created in memory of North East solider Len Gibson and his fellow prisoners who built the so-called “Death Railway” between Thailand and Myanmar from 1942 until 1943.
Around ten metres of Metro track has been used to create the finished memorial which goes alongside a statue to Len Gibson which was built in 2025 by local philanthropist Brian Burnie. The ten metres length was chosen to signify that on average two men died for every 10 metres of track laid.
Cathy Massarella, Managing Director of Nexus, said: “This is a fantastic and particularly poignant social value project. We are honoured to be a part of it.
“The used Metro tracks have created a stunning new memorial for British troops who served in the Far East during World War Two, and it really complements the Len Gibson statue that Mr Burnie unveiled at North Marine Park last year.
“The use of the Metro rails and sleepers is especially moving, given that British prisoners of war, including Len 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.
“Our Infrastructure Works Delivery Team have done an amazing job putting in the track during their volunteer day.”
Brian Burnie said: “I’m really grateful for the support we’ve had from Nexus on this project. I can’t thank them enough for the rails and their efforts to install them.
“The finished memorial looks amazing. It’s a poignant commemoration for all the British soldiers who served in the far east during the war. We will always remember them.
“Over the last 80 years, I’ve been to war memorials all over the world, but this we’ve created today is real. You can see and touch it.”
The memorial is in North Marine Park, South Shields.