VJ Day Anniversary Lunch and Talk
For those interested in history
Our VJ Day 80th anniversary event begins with a fish and chips lunch. This is followed by a talk by Dr Richard Marks on “Over the Kwai: The Story of the Burma-Siam Railway in World War 2”.
Over the Kwai: The Story of the Burma-Siam Railway in World War 2
During World War 2, the Japanese Army built the Burma-Siam railway to supply their armed forces with men and material for the fight against the British and Allied military ranged against them. This was no ordinary railway. It was built through almost impassable terrain and requiring some ingenious feats of engineering. The railway should have been an outstanding example of railway building but it was not. The use of forced labour to construct the railway made it something to be judged not appreciated. This talk will look at why the Japanese needed to build the railway and why they treated prisoners of war in the way that they did.
The talk will finish with a short discussion of why Japan was defeated and how VJ Day came about.
Pre-booking is required. The ticket price includes the lunch, vegetarian options are also available, please ask at the time of booking.
1 - 3.30pm
About Berkshire Family History Society
This event is organised by Berkshire Family History Society CIO, a registered charity number 1204390.
