The Ukulele Man: The Story of a Prisoner of War of the Japanese and His Ukulele

Withnall, Ray: - Ray Withnall is a retired IT project manager with a passion for researching British military history. Almost ten years ago, he came across a little-known former Japanese Prisoner of War camp in northeast Thailand at Ubon Ratchathani. By making connections in the town (Ray's wife is Thai and lives in Ubon) and discovering available resources in the U.K., he thoroughly researched the camp. Five years later Ray self-published 'UBON: The Last Camp Before Freedom'*.

Ray's second book details the personal histories of all 143 Commonwealth War Grave Commission casualties in Stockport's Willow Grove cemetery. He combined meticulous family history narrative with creative images of each individual resting place. It is called 'Behind the Names: The War Graves of Willow Grove'.

Since 2021, Ray has volunteered at the Imperial War Museum North in Salford. He became interested in the exhibit of a ukulele made by ex-Far Eastern Prisoner of War Tom Boardman. Ray met Tom in 2015 and became good friends with him and Tom's son, Ron. Using Tom's diaries and papers, Ray developed an 'Insight Talk' for IWMN visitors. It informs them how Tom constructed his ukulele and his experience on the Thai-Burma railway.

Ray's other interests include volunteering for the Commonwealth War Graves Commission Public Engagement programme. This involves presenting illustrated talks about the work of the CWGC and assisting in major events, such as the D Day Commemoration featured on the BBC's One Show in June 2024.

Ray's father was a D Day Veteran. His parents were members of the Stockport Normandy Veterans Association, and Ray proudly continues their tradition and memory with an active role as treasurer.