Heroe type

[rik_uk3]

I love good books and although I know this chap has been mentioned before I thought I mention him again.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freddie_Spencer_Chapman

This is pukka boy's own stuff and I urge any of you with in interest in exploration and daring deeds to buy anything written by the fella.

The current thread on under quilts/hammocks reminded me of a mention in his book
http://apenguinaweek.blogspot.co.uk/2013/05/penguin-no-133-watkins-last-expedition.html

Where Chapman designed his own sleeping bags for the expedition and to reduce weight cut down the filling in the base layer, a move he regretted latter on the trip.

The book linked is a remarkable read and well worth sourcing.

 

[treadlightly]

It is what you say it is Rik, but there is a coda to his time in the jungle. Maybe because of the extraordinary strength of mind it took to always convince himself that the jungle was in fact neutral and not on the side of the Japanese, he struggled to settle into civvy street after wthe war. He took his wife Faith and young family on an extraordinary series of treks around Africa before settling into a job at a private school. Sadly, he shot himself aged just 64 as his health began to deteriorate.

A while back I spent some time with Faith - a remarkable woman.

 

[Dark Horse Dave]

His biography is a good read too: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Jungle-Sold...qid=1378974870&sr=1-1&keywords=jungle+soldier


Incidentally, a book I used to love in my youth - Devils Guard (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Devils-Guar...8&qid=1378974938&sr=1-1&keywords=devils+guard) makes reference to "The Jungle is Neutral" as the go-to guide for jungle warfare. Cracking stuff!

 

[rik_uk3]

His life story is a tv series/film that should have been made long ago. If you meet his wife again please tell her she and her late husband have at least one admirer...me.

My step father had two close friends who'd been POW's of the Japanese, both committed suicide in the 60's. One drove his car into a motorway bridge and the other used a service revolver. The war in the far east is often overlooked.