Plans have been submitted to South Tyneside Council for the installation of a new memorial statue in South Shields celebrating "The Forgotten Army" and honoring local war hero Len Gibson. The evocative sculpture, created by celebrated local artist Ray Lonsdale, depicts the Sunderland prisoner of war who was imprisoned on the notorious Burma Death Railway by the Japanese during World War II.
Len Gibson's remarkable story began when he was captured and forced to work on the infamous Mergui Road as a prisoner of war. During his internment, he built his own musical instrument and entertained fellow prisoners around a fire each night, bringing hope and comfort during their darkest hours. His resilience and spirit became legendary among those who knew him.
After returning to Sunderland following the war, Gibson inspired thousands of young people throughout his life, including his neighbor Dave Stewart, who would later become famous as part of the Eurythmics. Gibson worked as a music teacher at a local school, continuing to share his passion for music with new generations. As a long-time supporter of the cancer charity Daft as a Brush, he adopted one of the charity's ambulances, with children at his former school creating artwork for the vehicle and naming it "Len Guitar Gibson."
The inspirational great-grandfather passed away on July 31, 2021, at the remarkable age of 101. The statue was recently unveiled on the 80th anniversary of VJ Day in August, which marked the end of World War II following Japan's surrender. The unveiling ceremony took place at South Shields Town Hall, and organizers hope the sculpture can be permanently installed in North Marine Park later this year.
The charity Daft as a Brush has now submitted a formal application to South Tyneside Council's planning department seeking permission to install the 2.7-meter high statue at the Grade II-listed North Marine Park. Brian Bernie, founder of the Daft as a Brush Cancer Patient Care charity and a longtime friend of Gibson, has privately funded this moving tribute.
According to the supporting design and access statement, the statue depicts Gibson handing his homemade banjo to a young local boy as a symbol of peace and forgiveness upon his release from Far East captivity. The finished artwork conveys sensitivity and emotion, showing Gibson in the clothes he would have worn as a Japanese prisoner of war. The sculpture aims to honor not only Gibson but also serve as a lasting tribute to all members of "The Forgotten Army" who fought in Burma.
The statue will be positioned on a high point in North Marine Park, near Lawe Top, where the landscape features a steep north-facing incline down to the mouth of the River Tyne. The location is strategically chosen near an important junction of two footpaths, facing inland toward Lawe Road, a residential street lined with terraced properties and marine villas. The statue will be mounted on a rough-hewn sandstone base placed above ground level, with provisions for future external low-level lighting.
Ray Lonsdale, the sculptor behind this latest work, has created numerous pieces throughout the region, including installations in Seaham, St. Peters Riverside, and Keel Square in Sunderland. Speaking about the project earlier this year, Lonsdale emphasized the importance of commemorating "The Forgotten Army" - those who were captured, tortured, and in many cases worked to death during the war.
"You see all the First World War statues, you see all the different aspects that are commemorated on a regular basis, so it's nice to bring this story to the fore," Lonsdale explained. He was inspired by a particular story from Gibson's book, where just as Gibson was about to board a plane after liberation, he gave his makeshift guitar containing a small amount of money to a Thai child. "After all that time of being purely tortured and all the discomfort and aggression, just to give that gift before he came home was such a nice touch and really tells the story of the man," Lonsdale added.
The supporting statement notes that the statue is intended to enhance the park emotionally, recognizing that many soldiers from the area never returned from the Bridge over the River Kwai and Death Railway in Burma. The rough finish of the base is designed to represent the harsh environment endured by prisoners of war while also discouraging close contact with the statue. A separate stone base will hold an interpretation board similar in design to others located elsewhere in the park.
A decision on the South Shields sculpture will be made following a council consultation process. Those interested in tracking the progress of the application can visit South Tyneside Council's planning portal website and search for reference number 250589.
