Len Gibson - just one of the Sunderland heroes heralded in a new book and on film
A Sunderland author has celebrated one of her hometown heroes by including him in a brand new book.
Wearside author Marie Gardiner's newest work is called ‘Celebrating Sunderland’ and she describes it as 'the people, places, achievements, and events of this great city'.
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Hide AdThe war prisoner who lifted spirits using a home-made guitar
It includes a section on Len Gibson, the Second World War hero, retired teacher and guitarist who died aged 101 in 2021.
Len was awarded the British Empire Medal (BEM) in recognition of his community and voluntary Service in 2019.
Forced to work on the 'Death Railway'
As a Far East Prisoner of War, he was forced to work on the Mergui Road building the 'Death Railway 'in Burma after he was captured following the fall of Singapore in 1942.
Faced with death by starvation, torture and disease every day, Len's drive lifted the spirits of other prisoners.
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Hide AdHe made a guitar out of an old wooden crate and pilfered telegraph wire. He would sing and
play to fellow prisoners in the camp.
Celebrating the best of Sunderland
Marie has also prepared a series of videos to promote the book including one on Len's remarkable life both as a prisoner of war and an ambassador for Wearside.
The book looks at Mowbray Park, architect Frank Caws, the heroes of the holocaust, Hylton Castle, Houghton Feast and much more.
It looks at the shipyards, royal visits to the town, and Sunderland's FA Cup triumphs.
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Marie Gardiner is a writer and photographer from Sunderland, now living in County Durham. After earning her degree in film and media, she worked as a broadcaster before starting a media company with her partner, which under the banner of Lonely Tower Film & Media, and it produces historical documentaries.
Celebrating Sunderland is now available in paperback, costing £15.99 from Amberley Publishing.
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