| 05/03/2020 |
The notorious Thailand-Burma railway, built by Commonwealth, Dutch and American prisoners of war, was a Japanese project driven by the need for improved communications to support the large Japanese army in Burma. During its construction, approximately 13,000 prisoners of war died and were buried along the railway. An estimated 80,000 to 100,000 civilians also died in the course of the project, chiefly forced labour brought from Malaya and the Dutch East Indies, or conscripted in Siam (Thailand) and Burma (Myanmar). Two labour forces, one based in Siam and the other in Burma worked from opposite ends of the line towards the centre. The Japanese aimed at completing the railway in 14 months and work began in October 1942. The line, 424 kilometres long, was completed by December 1943. The graves of those who died during the construction and maintenance of the Burma-Siam railway (except for the Americans, whose remains were repatriated) were transferred from camp burial grounds and isolated sites along the railway into three cemeteries at Chungkai and Kanchanaburi in Thailand and Thanbyuzayat in Myanmar. |
| 05/03/2020 |
The CWGC record Gunner James McCrory as the son of Patrick and Mary McCrory. He is also recorded as the husband of Florrie McCrory of Chorley, Lancashire. |
| 05/03/2020 |
Gunner James McCrory is commemorated locally on Dungannon War Memorial. |
| 05/03/2020 |
Gunner James McCrory is buried in Kanchanaburi War Cemetery in Thailand. His inscription reads: RESTING WHERE NO SHADOWS FALL. HIS LOVING WIFE FLORRIE |
| 05/03/2020 |
Gunner James McCrory died as a prisoner of war, put to work building the Thailand-Burma Railway, on 26th July 1943. |
| 05/03/2020 |
Gunner James McCrory was with the 21st Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment when he was captured by the Japanese. |
| 05/03/2020 |
Gunner James McCrory served with the Royal Artillery in World War Two. |
| 05/03/2020 |
James McCrory was the husband of Florrie McCrory. |
| 05/03/2020 |
James McCrory was the son of Patrick and Mary McCrory. |
