Overview
In 1938 Johnny Sherwood was a young professional footballer on the brink of an England career, touring the world with the all-star British team the Islington Corinthians. By 1942 he was a soldier defending Singapore against the Japanese. Taken prisoner he was sent to a POW camp deep in the heart of the Thai jungle, where he was starved, beaten, and forced to build the notorious 'railway of death' on the River Kwai. Johnny kept his and his men's spirits up with tales of his footballing past, even organising matches until he and the other prisoners became too weak to play. One day, he encountered a brutal Japanese guard, and was shocked to recognise him as a Japanese footballer Johnny had played against. Despite the inhumane treatment he received at the hands of the guards, and the trials the POWs continued to face even after liberation, Johnny's story is an inspirational tale of survival against the odds. Many years after Johnny's death, his grandson Michael discovered an old manuscript hidden in the attic of his mother's house. It was Johnny's own account of his wartime experiences - the story too horrific to reveal to his loved ones. Now, in publishing Johnny's memoirs, Michael is finally fulfilling Johnny's wish that the world should know the truth about his traumatic time as a POW, and his long journey back to civilisation.
Full Product Details
Author: Johnny Sherwood ,
Johnny Sherwood
Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton
Imprint: Hodder & Stoughton
Dimensions:
Width: 15.50cm
, Height: 2.40cm
, Length: 23.20cm
Weight: 0.424kg
ISBN: 9781444790313
ISBN 10: 1444790315
Pages: 320
Publication Date: 05 June 2014
Audience:
General/trade
,
General
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Active
Availability: To order
Stock availability from the supplier is unknown. We will order it for you and ship this item to you once it is received by us.
Reviews
Vivid...what is so remarkable about his tale is Johnny's heart-warming humanity, which persists through the blackest times. Daily Mail
Author Information
Michael Doe grew up in Reading and lived near his grandfather. He discovered his grandfather's manuscript hidden in the attic of his mother's house in 2013. Michael lives with his wife, step-son and newborn twins in the Wirral, Cheshire, where he runs his own business and continues the family tradition through his keen interest in football. Johnny Sherwood was one of eleven children, and played professional football for Islington Corinthians, Middlesbrough, Reading, Aldershot and Crystal Palace. During the war, he was a Sergeant in the Royal Artillery. Johnny suffered lifelong effects from his POW years, but nonetheless went on to become a pub landlord and successful bookie. He raised three children and was the proud grandfather of six grandchildren.
