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The Courageous Life of Weary Dunlop

Surgeon, prisoner-of-war, life-saving leader and legend of the Thai-Burma Railway

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The Courageous Life of Weary Dunlop

By: Peter FitzSimons
Narrated by: Peter FitzSimons
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About this listen

 The extraordinary story of the heroic doctor whose courage and leadership were a lifeline for thousands of Australian prisoners-of-war on the infamous Thai-Burma Railway of World War II - brilliantly told by Australia's favourite storyteller, Peter FitzSimons

In September 1939, young Australian surgeon Edward 'Weary' Dunlop was working in London when the dogs of war were unleashed. Signing up, he was commissioned a captain in the Australian Army Medical Corps (AAMC) and sent to the Middle East, serving in Palestine, Greece, Crete, Egypt and Tobruk.

As the European war dragged on, an emboldened Japanese force captured Singapore and marched closer to Australian shores. Weary and over 3000 others sailed back to Java to fight this new enemy. At the No. 1 Allied General Hospital in Bandoeng, the Japanese were ready to murder the bedridden when Weary put his body in front of the bayonets. From that moment his leadership, ingenuity and selflessness became legend as Allied prisoners-of-war were sent to Singapore, Thailand and finally faced the hell of working as slave labour on the infamous Thai-Burma Railway. In the POW camps, tropical diseases, malnutrition, and the brutal work regime imposed by their Japanese captors meant the death toll was horrific. And yet, with little to no medical supplies, under extreme physical pressure, Weary Dunlop took risks and beatings to defy the Japanese and keep his men alive in circumstances that tested the limits of human endurance.

Weary was a gentle giant of a man. A boxer and former Wallaby, he could have been an elite sportsman but chose a different path - one that led him from rural Victoria to training as a pharmacist and then to medical school. World War II was the fire that fuelled this remarkable hero. His courageous leadership and calm endurance became beacons of hope to the POWs under his command. His name has become synonymous with courage, compassion and resilience. Now, Weary Dunlop's heroic and inspiring story has been brought to life by Australia's greatest storyteller, Peter FitzSimons. Australia, New Zealand & Oceania Military Military & War War Middle East Emotionally Gripping Leadership Singapore
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I am sitting here with tears streaming down my face full of pride for our brave diggers who went through unimaginable atrocities. Weary Dunlop deserved every praise he ever received and then some. What a fantastic story of his life.
We will remember them.

Lest We Forget

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Weary Dunlop was a remarkable man who lived a remarkable life. This book does justice to, not only him, but to all the men and women who lived along side him as prisoners of war.

What A Life

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What an amazing book about an amazing human being, thanks so much for writing about this incredible Doctor, where would we be if he hadnt been born

Brilliant book

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Peter Fitzsimons, you've done an amazing job bringing so much together around your story of Sir Edward Dunlop aka Weary.. a heavy listen at times though lightened by some of the great tales from the years recounted

A VERY comprehensive ACCOUNT of Weary Dunlop

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An incredible story of a truely remarkable individual, faithfully told by Peter FitzSimons. With his usual flair and exhaustive research, Peter brings us on the journey of Weary’s life and paints a breathtaking portrait of a man who, although far from perfect, is the epitome of the Australian spirit.
Highly recommend.

Iconic Australian

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In the spirit of reconciliation, Audible acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.