All in all a very well written and complete account of a life well lived. There are very stark comparisons from peace to war to POW to peace again and rehabilitation. A good read.

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ARRSE (Army Rumour Service)

Don't forget their sacrifices
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Amazon Customer

“An interesting story of one man’s life from early days through his time in SE Asia, the Sumatra Railway, repatriation and later life. Effectively James Banton’s autobiography with help from his wife and sun. Interesting read in that it covers the build up to war and the struggle to survive after it along with interaction from fellow FEPOWS members in later life."

FEPOW & COFEPOW

Ex-POW's harrowing story of losing 19 mates in a day on wartime death railway

Derby Telegraph 24/08/21

Ex-PoW’s story of losing 19 of his mates in a day

Burton Mail 23/08/21

James Banton weaves an interesting story, written for the benefit of his family, and read and published after his death. When war was declared in 1939 James Banton volunteered for the RAF. Twelve months later, in Malaya, Leading Air Craftsmen Banton describes the confusion and chaos caused by Japanese aircraft bombing RAF airfields destroying most of British air-cover. This was quickly followed by Japanese ground troops crossing the Thai border into Malaya, their swift advance down the Malaya peninsula, and the Singapore Garrison's surrender 70 days later.

With colleagues James Barton was evacuated to Java, where he was captured a remained a prison of war for three and half years. Much has been written about the death railway in Thailand, formerly Siam but for many people the railway in Sumatra is unknown. The treatment from barbaric guards, death, and deprivation remained the same. When local people rumoured that the war had ended, the camp's British Commanding Officer sought confirmation. His Japanese counterpart attempted to slice him in half with his sword.

What adds to this remarkable story is James Banton description of both pre and post war Britain. Hastily married before he left for Singapore, three and half years later, starved and brutalized he was home, had wife and young child to care for, search for where to live and a job to find. Like many who returned from the war, he said nothing and remained evasive to the question of 'what you do in the war dad.' He did write notes which form the basis of the book which is a page turner.

Richard Gough - Historian, writer, author of the Escape from Singapore, The jungle was Red, Outpost of the Empire, SOE Singapore 1941-42. Waiting publication Tony Poe, CIA Paramilitary in SE Asia.

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

A truly inspirational book on overcoming and surviving as a POW in Japan and Malaysia during WW2. The hardships faced by the men were heartbreaking. A great read.

NetGalley, Ron Baumer

Started reading the book and found it very hard to put it down.
Highly recommend the book to all those who had relatives as PoWs in Sumatra during WWII. Plus anyone interested in reading about the Sumatra Railway, the book will open their eyes to the nightmare existence under the Japanese.
I have posted a review on the FEPOW Family Facebook Group, which I run. We have many relatives of PoWs who were forced to work on building this railway. The book will add more informormation to their researching loved ones.
Ronnie Taylor - FEPOW Family

Ronnie Taylor