A NORTH-EAST soldier's account of his amazing survival during one of the cruellest periods of World War Two has been immortalised in a special book.

Eric Markham, from Darlington, wrote of his experiences as a Far Eastern Prisoner of War shortly after his release from captivity and a simple printed copy was kept as a personal record, treasured by his family.

He died in 2009, aged 90. With the encouragement of his widow Mary, 92, eldest daughter Rosalind Bowden has researched maps and illustrations to add to the original manuscript.

The family had his memoir published to coincide with the 70th anniversary of Victory over Japan (VJ) Day last week.

They want it to serve as a tribute to the “quietly brave and modest man” they loved and the many thousands of others who suffered, and died, as Far Eastern Prisoners of War.

The family has donated several copies to military and historical organisations including the Royal British Legion and Imperial War Museum and has presented a copy to Crown Street Library, in his home town of Darlington.

Mrs Bowden explained: “My father was from a well-known Darlington family who ran the Markham & Co Grocery and Wine Shop in the Market Place and was the only son of Walter and Annie Markham.

“He and his friends joined the Territorial Army in 1939 and when asked if he wanted to be sent somewhere hot or cold he replied ‘hot’. I don’t think he could ever have imagined what that decision would lead to.

“He was in Singapore before and after the Japanese invasion, survived the gruelling conditions as a Prisoner of War working on the Burma railway and then finally endured a horrific trek through Thailand, which we’ve estimated was around 500 miles.

“It brought him very close to death; he was only saved by the surrender of the Japanese and his evacuation to hospital. But although he survived, he never really got over what had happened and he rarely spoke of it.

“He wrote the journal on the advice of his doctors when he was first liberated, as a kind of therapy. As a family we’ve always kept it and with this year being the 70th anniversary of VJ Day we thought it would be nice to have it properly published.”

Eric returned to Darlington and worked for General Accident Insurance after the war. He and Mary wed in 1947 and had two daughters – Rosalind and Jane.

They later moved to York, where Mary still lives, but often returned to the town where they still have family links.

Mrs Bowden added: “Because of his and the family’s close links to the town we wanted to ensure a copy of his book was also available for local people who may be interested.”

Darlington librarian Katherine Williamson said: “We’re delighted to accept this book. Eric was clearly a remarkable man and his was a well-known family in the town.

“We do have several other items relating to the Markham family already and it’s wonderful that his family has donated his book to add to the collection.”

Anyone interested in finding out more about ‘Eric’s War” can visit the Centre for Local Studies at Crown Street Library, call 01325-349630 or email local.studies@darlington.gov.uk