Story of an Australian soldier who became a POW in World War II, worked on the Burma Death Railway, survived and had to work in coal mines in Japan till the war was over. He then became part of the occupying forces after the Japanese surrender.Jack Thorpe is a strong and classic Australian character. There’s many a long day’s march to be had before you meet a character of the quality and calibre of Jack Thorpe. He is true blue and you could depend on him forever.This book is an amazing and enthralling story of survival. From a harsh childhood through the brutalities of the Japanese in Changi, the Burma Railway, Saigon, and the coal mines of Japan. It is remarkable that he survived any of the hazardous and dangerous episodes. He did, and now he is a tower of strength in his country community.Bloody Lucky he may well have been but often luck is not enough. Having lots of tenacity, toughness, and courage can also make a big difference.Jack still finds the stamina and the passion to make it possible for parties of schoolchildren to travel to The Railway in Thailand every year on the ‘Quiet Lion Tours’.KEN TAYLOR – MAJOR GENERAL AO RLJack Thorpe is a unique character – a ‘dinky dye’ Australian you’ll never forget and the absolute epitome of the salt of the earth.For the last sixty years, since surviving torture, starvation and deprivation during World War II as a prisoner of the barbaric Japanese Army, Jack’s been an outstanding leader in his country community of Three Springs and Carnamah.Jack Thorpe’s book, Bloody Lucky, is a riveting account of his harsh upbringing before joining up and then becoming a prisoner of war in 1942. During his time as POW he survived being a slave on the Burma-Thai Railway and in the hell holes of the Japanese coal mines.Ken Bladen – Lieutenant Colonel AO pp.160 illusts #0520