Remembering the 2nd Battalion, Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders

24 March 2026

VJ Day – Remembering the 2nd Battalion, Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders

Honouring Courage and Sacrifice

On VJ Day, we pause to remember the courage, endurance, and sacrifice of the soldiers of the 2nd Battalion, Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders (Argyll). Their story is one of resilience in the face of unimaginable hardship during the Second World War.

Following the Fall of Singapore in February 1942, many members of the battalion were captured by Japanese forces. Like thousands of Allied troops, they became prisoners of war and were subjected to harsh and inhumane conditions.

The captured soldiers were forced into brutal labour on the Burma Thailand Railway, a project that came to symbolise the suffering of POWs in Southeast Asia. Among its most notorious sections was the bridge over the River Kwai.Working in extreme heat with little food or medical care, these men endured disease, starvation, and relentless physical strain. Tragically, many lost their lives while working alongside fellow Scottish units and other Allied prisoners.

Despite these horrific conditions, the soldiers of the Argylls displayed extraordinary resilience and comradeship. Their strength in adversity remains a powerful testament to the human spirit and the enduring values of duty and honour.

Paying Tribute

Their sacrifice will never be forgotten. Phil, a Caseworker volunteer from our Argyll and Bute branch, visited Thailand to pay his respects at the memorial dedicated to those who died while building the railway.

Through acts of remembrance like this, we ensure that their legacy lives on and that future generations understand the cost of freedom.

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