Metro track recycled for new South Tyneside war memorial

The track, ten metres in total, will commemorate a North East solider and his fellow prisoners who built the so-called “Death Railway” between Thailand and Myanmar, formerly Burma, from 1942 to 1943.

It will be located at the statue of Sunderland World War Two veteran Len Gibson, who was captured by Japan, which has stood in South Shields’ North Marine Park since late 2025.

Mr Gibson was among 60,000 Allied prisoners forced to build the “Death Railway”.

Local philanthropist Brian Burnie, who founded the cancer charity Daft as a Brush, commissioned the Len Gibson statue to pay tribute to his “wonderful” friend who died aged 101, in 2021.

Brian’s latest project will see an area next to the statue transformed. Used rails and sleepers from the Metro system will create a new memorial, honouring the sacrifice made by British soldiers held captive by Japan.

The aim is to finish the project in time for the annual VJ Day (Victory over Japan Day) in August, when an opening ceremony will be held.

Stuart Clarke, Infrastructure Director at Nexus, said: “We’re delighted to be able to donate used Metro track to support this amazing project.

“The track will form a new feature at the Len Gibson statue, creating a new memorial for Len Gibson and the many thousands of other British soldiers who died in the Far East during World War Two.

“Using the rails is poignant, given that British prisoners of war, including Mr Gibson, were forced to build the “Death Railway” between Thailand and Myanmar (formerly Burma), from 1942 to 1943.

“By re-using these items in this way, it supports our own commitment to work sustainably in everything that we do, while helping the voluntary sector where we can.”

Mr Burnie has privately funded the tribute to the prisoners of war, many of whom died in the Far East.

The Len Gibson statue was unveiled in December 2025. It depicts him while he was imprisoned on the Burma Death Railway, handing a homemade banjo to a Burmese boy, something that he did just prior to his release.

Mr Burnie said: “It’s absolutely fantastic that Nexus has been able to donate some used Metro track for the project. I’m very grateful for their support. It will be a very moving piece of work

“The memorial we’re going to create will be amazing. It will be an extra part of the Len Gibson statue at North Marine Park, representative of all those men who worked on the Burma railway when they were prisoners of war in the Far East.

“They are called the Forgotten Army and I want to redress that issue. We’re looking forward to getting started with the next phase of the project.”

Brian Burnie’s Daft as a Brush Patient Care specialises in transporting cancer patients to and from hospital for Chemotherapy and Radiotherapy treatment, free of charge.

It was selected by Nexus employees in 2024 as the organisation’s chosen charity and their collective fundraising efforts raised £10,000.