A deeply moving sculpture depicting World War II prisoner of war Len Gibson was unveiled during a memorial ceremony at South Shields Town Hall to commemorate the 80th anniversary of VJ Day. The bronze statue, created by renowned artist Ray Lonsdale, captures an extraordinary moment of humanity and forgiveness from one of the war's most brutal chapters.

The sculpture, titled "Humanity - The Forgotten Army," portrays Sunderland native Len Gibson BEM, who passed away in 2021 at the remarkable age of 101. Gibson endured years of unimaginable suffering as a prisoner on the notorious Burma Death Railway, where Japanese forces subjected Allied POWs to extreme conditions, disease, and torture. Despite these horrors, Gibson's spirit remained unbroken, and he became an inspiration to countless people throughout his long life.

The statue captures a particularly poignant moment from Gibson's liberation, showing him handing his handmade guitar to a young local boy as a powerful symbol of peace and forgiveness. During his imprisonment, Gibson had crafted the guitar and used it to entertain his fellow prisoners, providing comfort and hope during their darkest hours. The sculpture includes a touching detail that viewers can discover upon closer inspection: a small amount of money that Gibson earned, carefully rolled up inside the guitar as a gift for the child.

This latest work represents another artistic triumph for Ray Lonsdale, the South Hetton-based sculptor whose evocative pieces have become landmarks throughout the region. His previous works include the famous "Tommy" statue in Seaham, as well as installations in Keel Square and St. Peter's Riverside in Sunderland. Lonsdale's sculptures are known for their ability to capture profound human emotions and historical moments with remarkable sensitivity.

The memorial service held alongside the unveiling served as an important reminder of VJ Day's significance in World War II history. While VE Day on May 8, 1945, celebrated the end of the war in Europe, VJ Day marked the true conclusion of World War II. Many prisoners of war, including those held in Japanese camps, continued to endure extreme suffering for months after the European celebrations had ended. The ceremony emphasized the importance of remembering these forgotten heroes and their extraordinary sacrifices.

The unveiling ceremony drew attention to the broader story of Allied POWs in the Pacific theater, often referred to as "The Forgotten Army." These servicemen faced conditions that were often worse than those experienced by their counterparts in European camps, yet their stories have sometimes received less recognition. Gibson's statue serves as a lasting tribute not only to his own remarkable resilience but to all those who suffered and survived the Pacific campaign of World War II.