Robert Widders

Sister Mary Cooper died in a Japanese prison camp from the combined effects of starvation, brutality, and tropical diseases. Timothy Kenneally, and Patrick Fitzgerald tried to escape from a slave labour camp on the Burma Railway. They were were caught, tortured - crucified - and then executed on 27 March 1943. And Patrick Carberry spent the summer of 1943 cremating the emaciated corpses of his comrades, who had died from cholera. These people had two things in common: they were Irish citizens serving with the British armed forces; and they were amongst more than 650 Irish men and women who became prisoners of the Imperial Japanese Army in 1942. Nearly a quarter of them were murdered whilst in Japanese captivity - this is their story. Combining historical narrative with first-hand accounts of the conditions in Japanese POW camps, Robert Widders brings to light their suffering and the strength that saw them home again.

The story of the Irishmen who deserted from the Irish Army, and joined the Allies in the struggle against fascism and Nazism during the Second World War, has been kept secret for over half a century. These men fought in some of the bloodiest battles of the war. And after the war they were all subjected to a Kangaroo Court-Martial, and condemned without representation or right of reply. But hundreds of these men had died long before they were court-martialled. Joseph Mullally died on D-Day, 6 June 1944, fighting with the British Army on the beaches of Normandy--a year before. And Stephen McManus had already suffered torture and starvation whilst being worked to death in a Japanese prisoner of war camp. And it wasn't just the soldiers who suffered. In some cases their children were taken from them, condemned in court, and sentenced to a childhood of sickening abuse in the Industrial Schools. But throughout the book the courage and decency of the individual shines through. Gerry O'Neill risked his life with the newly formed Irish Navy, rescuing wounded British soldiers from the beaches of Dunkirk. And Nicholas McNamara volunteered to serve with RAF Bomber Command knowing it meant almost certain death. This book tells their story. Reviews: "An amazing story of heroism and betrayal." Irish Post"an incredible tale ... the way they the Irish government] treated the Irish soldiers is absolutely appalling" Tom Dunne, Presenter, Newstalk 106"a book to shock and one which tackles an issue some would prefer to go away ... well researched and a fascinating read" South Wales Argus"Easy to read but difficult to put down." Soldier Magazine