Second World War hero Len Gibson of Sunderland dies aged 101

Len Gibson, from Sunderland, endured forced labour and malnutrition as a Japanese prisoner of war and recently made headlines for his fundraising work for a cancer charity.

The former Lance Bombardier passed away in hospital on Saturday – days before his memoir is released tomorrow in aid of Daft as a Brush Cancer Patient Care.

Dated: 15/05/2021..Len Gibson, one of Britain's last surviving Second World War heroes, who is taking on a new battle at the sprightly age of 101. The former Lance Bombardier survived the horrors of the Burma Death Railway to become a musician who

Mr Gibson was with the 125 Anti-Tank Regiment Royal Artillery in 1942 when his ship was bombed by Japanese planes and he lost his beloved banjo.

After making it to shore, he was captured and as a prisoner of war was forced to work on the infamous Mergui Road building the Death Railway in Burma until liberation in 1945.

Whilst receiving critical hospital treatment following his return home to Sunderland, he met nurse Ruby who was to be his wife for 70 years before she died in 2014.

Dated: 10/11/19..The Sunderland Remembrance Parade 2019 takes place today (Sun) next to the War Memorial on Burdon Road. This picture shows Len Gibson, a 99-year-old Second World War veteran and former Japanese prisoner of war who helped lead the

Speaking at a belated birthday celebration in May, Mr Gibson reflected on life by saying: "When I was a prisoner of war on the Mergui Road there was a time when I thought it was so bad I was in hell.

"So I have experienced hell, and to be here today is heaven.

"I think what has kept me going all these years is a British spirit and I love music.

"Music helped me during my prisoner of war times and has helped me ever since.

“I am probably the luckiest man in the world and I really think that.

"I am so lucky and I have such lovely family and friends and I am at peace with the world."

Second World War veteran Len Gibson will be a guest of honour of Brian Burnie's.

Following his time in the military, Mr Gibson forged a career of his own in teaching and music where he inspired a number of young people including his young neighbour Dave Stewart.

At a birthday celebration in May, Mr Stewart told him: “I just wanted to thank you so much for inspiring me when I was a young kid.

"I was such an admirer of you and your family and it's inspired me and helped form the foundation of the fact that I wanted to be a musician."

Sue Winfield OBE and Lord Lieutenant of Tyne and Wear awarded Mr Gibson with a British Empire Medal in 2019.

She said: "Len was a wonderful man who not only survived such hardship as a prisoner of war but went on to contribute so much to local communities and ensure the memory of those who sacrificed their lives in the World War II was not forgotten.

"I first met him when he was awarded his BEM which was much deserved.

"It was a delight to see him at his recent birthday celebration in Herrington Country Park, where although he was the start of the show as usual he made sure he shared the spotlight with the children from his former school, which clearly meant a lot to him and to them.

"He will be greatly missed and we will ensure his legacy lives on."

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