Listen free for 30 days
Listen with offer
-
The Forgotten Highlander
- My Incredible Story of Survival During the War in the Far East
- Narrated by: David Rintoul
- Length: 3 hrs and 14 mins
Failed to add items
Add to basket failed.
Add to wishlist failed.
Remove from wishlist failed.
Adding to library failed
Follow podcast failed
Unfollow podcast failed
99p for the first 3 months
The Forgotten Highlander
Buy Now for £7.99
No valid payment method on file.
We are sorry. We are not allowed to sell this product with the selected payment method
Listeners also enjoyed...
Summary
Alistair Urquhart was a soldier in the Gordon Highlanders captured by the Japanese in Singapore. He not only survived working on the notorious Bridge on the River Kwai , but he was subsequently taken on one of the Japanese ‘hellships’ which was torpedoed. Nearly everyone else on board died and Urquhart spent 5 days alone on a raft in the South China Sea before being rescued by a whaling ship. He was taken to Japan and then forced to work in a mine near Nagasaki. Two months later a nuclear bomb dropped just ten miles away . . .
This is the extraordinary story of a young men, conscripted at nineteen and whose father was a Somme Veteran, survived not just one, but three close encounters with death - encounters which killed nearly all his comrades.
What listeners say about The Forgotten Highlander
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Amazon Customer
- 15-12-16
Incredible book
I highly recommend this book, it's an incredible personal story. It's very well produced, too.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- The Village Green
- 30-04-19
Powerful
A deeply moving account of what it was like to be a POW in the aftermath of Singapore’s fall; toiling on the death railway; the hell ships; and working at a coal mine near Nagasaki. At times it was hard to listen to this account, such was the inhumanity the captors displayed towards their prisoners and the misery they inflicted.
The ‘forgotten’ part of the book’s title reflects the British army and government’s attitude towards the POW survivors: a shrugging indifference that bordered on outright negligence. Details of the suffering were swept under the carpet as post-war trading and political concerns took precedence. A must-read for anyone interested in what life was like for POWs in the Far East.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Amazon Customer
- 06-03-24
A must read
An absolutely remarkable man with a story everyone should hear. An insight into a dark time in history that shouldn't be forgotten.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- S. Wren
- 19-11-21
Whatever life throws at you keep living
Such an amazing book and shows what the power of the human spirit can endure. No matter what life throws at you keep living and keep the darkness at bay.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Keith
- 27-10-13
Unforgettable and an insight of The Forgotten Army
Where does The Forgotten Highlander rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?
One of the best I have heard
What did you like best about this story?
the way that it lead from one area to the next
Have you listened to any of David Rintoul’s other performances? How does this one compare?
no
Did you have an emotional reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?
I did I had tears in my eyes
Any additional comments?
I was very glad I had ordered it
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance4 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Ben Yates
- 23-07-19
astonishing
An unbelievable account of what those poor men went through for us and their country. Narration doesn't quite get across the harrowing atrocities but an excellent book none the less
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Anonymous User
- 22-06-23
This story of history must not be forgotten.
Very sticky and intense story. As my grandfather worked on these same railroads, having never met him, I really appreciate this historical glimpse into his life.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
- Sheila
- 16-07-10
A Remarkable story
A gripping book written by an amazing man written when he was 90 after keeping silent for nearly 70 years about the horrendous treatment he and hundreds of others suffered at the hands of the Japanese. The writing conjures up pictures so sharp you would think the events took place recently. Apart from the horrors of life as a prisoner of the Japanese the callous treatment the men received on returning to GB is a revelation and does the reputation of the men in power after WW2 no credit at all. A moving, harrowing and fascinating tale of great courage beautifully read.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
4 people found this helpful
-
Overall4 out of 5 stars
- AlexB
- 07-11-10
this is good
Thoroughly enjoyed this book and got a bit of history to boot.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
2 people found this helpful
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Jimbo
- 10-06-18
Incredible
A beautifully written account of an astonishing man’s experience in WWII at the hands of the Japanese. Understated and stoic and utterly authentic. Extremely well read and totally engaging. Very moving indeed. Highly recommend.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!