Posted: Wednesday 22 February 2012
Pupils at the High School of Dundee received first-hand insight into the atrocities of war yesterday when they welcomed World War II veteran and author, Alistair Urquhart.
This year marks the 70th anniversary of the fall of Singapore to the Japanese during World War II, a time when thousands of British soldiers were taken prisoner. Mr Urquhart, a war hero suffered slavery and torture as a Japanese Prisoner of War. He addressed pupils, recounting his incredible story of almost unspeakable horrors, unimaginable suffering and unlikely survival.
A Gordon Highlander from Aberdeen, Alistair Urqhart now lives in Broughty Ferry. He was only in his early twenties when he was captured in Singapore. He was taken north in barbaric conditions to do hard labour, building the Burma Siam railway at the aptly named Hellfire Pass and the Bridge over the River Kwai. Despite disease, torture and beatings, being torpedoed on Japanese ‘hell ships’ and a close encounter with the atomic bomb at Nagasaki, he survived and returned to Aberdeen traumatised and unrecognizable.
For almost 65 years Mr Urqhart kept his silence, not wishing to upset his family, before finally writing his memoirs in 2010. His book, The Forgotten Highlander, shot to the top of the UK bestsellers, receiving critical acclaim.
Now in his 90s, Mr Urqhart is one of the last remaining survivors of his battalion of the Gordon Highlanders. He has been named a national hero and has received personal support from Prince Charles in attaining a long overdue medical pension.
Mr Urqhart said: “I can make an important contribution in retelling my story. By hearing my personal experiences, I hope that the pupils will have a better understanding of the atrocities of war I feel that I have the means to tell the pupils what really does happen and how important it is to try and make sure that it never happens again.” in the hope that they can endeavor to stop such terrible events happening again. My story is one of perseverance. The key message that I hope they take away is, that in life, we should always try our best and never give up. There is no such word as “can’t”.”
Sixth-year pupil and President of the school’s History Society, Ellen Eyles “Everyone was so fascinated to hear MR Urquhart’s story. It brought out so many emotions. We felt like we were reliving his journey with him. He emphasized that we should never to give up and that there’s no such word as “can’t”. If you put your mind to it, you can overcome adverse challenges. To go what he has been through and be here today to pass on such powerful and valuable life lessons is just incredible.”
Head of History at the High School, Gordon Fyall, said: “This has been a fantastic opportunity for our pupils to hear from a truly inspirational man at a particularly poignant time as we remember events which took place seventy years ago. Alistair Urquhart has led a remarkable life and has provided our pupils with a fascinating account of the atrocities of World War II. We are extremely grateful to him for taking the time to come into the school to share his experiences with us.”