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Eric Lomax Obituary
Eric Lomax, a former British prisoner of war whose moving tale of wartime torture and forgiveness is being turned into a film, died Monday in Berwick-upon-Tweed in northern England, his publisher, Vintage Books, reported. Lomax was 93.
Lomax was a British army officer when he was captured by Japanese forces as they overran Singapore in 1942. Lomax endured horrific conditions and savage beatings as he and thousands of others were put to work building the infamous Burma to Siam railroad.
Lomax endured years of suppressed rage at the torture he suffered at the hands of his Japanese captors, but when he tracked his interrogator down, it set the stage for a dramatic act of forgiveness that formed the heart of his celebrated 1996 memoir, "The Railway Man."
Rachel Cugnoni, publisher of Vintage Books, call ed "The Railway Man" one of the landmark works of the 1990s, a testament to the "great capacity of the human spirit for forgiveness."
"It tells Eric's incredible and moving story with grace, modesty and exceptional humility. All characteristics Eric had as a man," she said in a statement.
The book is currently being made into a film starring Academy Award-winners Colin Firth and Nicole Kidman.
Lomax was born May 30, 1919, in Edinburgh. He returned there in 1945 after more than three years of interrogation and torture at the hands of the Japanese after his capture in Singapore.
Lomax later wrote of his own skepticism ahead of meeting with Nagase Takashi, who he had tracked down following his retirement in 1982.
"I strongly suspected that if I were to meet him I'd put my hands round his neck and do him in," Lomax wrote on the website of U.K.-based reconciliation charity The Forgiveness Project. "After our meeting, I felt I'd come to some kind of peace and resolution. Forgiveness is possible when someone is ready to accept forgiveness. Some time the hating has to stop."
Lomax is survived by his wife Patti, his daughter from his first marriage, Charmaine, and his step-children, Graeme, Nicholas, Mark and Jennifer.
CASSANDRA VINOGRAD, Associated Press
Copyright © 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
55 Entries
George Lynch
February 16, 2018
If anyone deserved an Honour posthumously
Eric Lomax does, for Chivalry alone, or a Knighthood perhaps. A very British Hero.
Julie Errington
September 8, 2016
I have just recently watched The Railway Man. The film has had a real profound effect on me. The horrendous cruelty and torture these men went through is beyond comprehension. I was really touched by the bravery, kindness and forgiveness that Eric Lomax showed when he later became friends with the main person responsible for the horrendous acts of cruelty and torture he endured. A true forgiving soul and a true inspiration. Thank you Mr Lomax for all you stood for and for all you did to be able to at last come to peace with those torturous years you somehow had the strength to get through. I will never forget you and your story. RIP dear man. Love and prayers to all of your family. Julie Errington (Newcastle upon Tyne, UK)
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Joy Gill
August 10, 2016
What a legacy for humankind.
RIP
Thank you for your services
Della Anderson
February 23, 2016
I have just seen the movie, "The Railway Man". I know this is late to offer my condolences. However, I had to was so very moved and inspired by the movie. It really did touch my heart. I pray for the family to be well, and strengthen. Thank you, for sharing his life with us.
Frances Hall
February 11, 2014
Eric Lomax you were truly a brave and good man. A true hero. Thank you for telling your story it touched my heart. I wish I could have stood in your presence. God bless you always.
andy crowe
December 22, 2012
Thank you for sharing your forgiveness and providing an insight into the bravery that you and your comrades experienced. 'The Railwayman' will enable your emory to live on long after your parting.
November 9, 2012
Thank you every one for your very comforting messages.
Eric's wife Patti
S.
October 14, 2012
So very sorry for your loss. Praying for the family during their time of loss.
October 11, 2012
May you find comfort in the Hearer of prayer during this very difficult and distressing time. Psalm 65:2
October 11, 2012
So sorry for your sorrow,trust in (GOD) because "Happy are those that mourn for they will be comforted.(matt 5:4)
d.q.
Barb
October 11, 2012
To family and friends of Eric, may you find comfort in Gods inspired word the Bible (2 Timothy 3:16). With sincere condolences.
Robert
October 11, 2012
Mr. Lomax showed us all that when you forgive you in noway change the past but you certainly do change the future... Mr. Lomax now that you are safely home may you rest in everlasting peace...
Sandra Reid
October 11, 2012
God bless you! Now you are truly free and going home!
October 10, 2012
Bless you for showing us the right way to live life.
nathan pye
October 10, 2012
you may be missed but respected for all your sacricees. RIP
Tami Bramblett
October 10, 2012
What a great lesson we must learn! We can never imagine what he experienced, but the fact he could forgive is so amazing in a world with hyper-sensitive people who will not forgive for much less sins!!!
I look forward to the movie and re-reading his book again.
Billy Jamieson
October 10, 2012
Mr. Lomax was born in Scotland and you did our country proud as a warrior and even more as a captive. You are now rewarded for your sacrifice Sir, and now only know the "Love of God" and have no wants. As a fellow Scot, I salute your valour.
C Lomax
October 10, 2012
Let your light of forgiveness shine.
Mr Eric Lomax.
Janet M
October 10, 2012
May God comfort his family and grant Mr. Lomax with a crown of peace in Heaven.
The world owes more gratitude than we can ever repay to all the brave men who fought to defend the world's freedom in WWII.
Linda
October 10, 2012
May God's gentle peace fill your heartand comfort your soul today and
in the days to come, I am so very sorry for your loss. As you cherish
fond memories also know that God is with you and will provide peace
and hope in the days ahead.
October 10, 2012
Incredible story! An example for us all. Don't we all want to receive forgiveness? How much more so should we extend it to others.(Matt.6:12)I am so sorry for your loss.
candy smith
October 10, 2012
I am truley amazed by this special man. Who has endured so much in his life time. Rest in peace you deserve it. No more will you suffer in the hands of others. My sympathy goes out to this mans family. God Bless all of you.
L B
October 10, 2012
A blessed person, indeed. If only we all could have known his, and every individual story each war survivor has to tell, a very long time ago.
October 10, 2012
God bless you ~
s chambers
October 10, 2012
To heck with the sports stars and other current day "heroes". Mr. Lomax lived the true meaning of the word hero.
October 10, 2012
I am so sorry for your lost. May you and your family rely on God in this time of grief.
October 10, 2012
What an outstanding at the forgiveness! truly he has forgiven others their trespasses!
Mary A
October 10, 2012
My sincere condolences to the Lomax family. God cares and will comfort you(Ps. 55:22).
Mickey Barnes
October 10, 2012
May God Bless Eric Lomax and his family. He is an inspiration to us all. From a U.S. Army retired soldier.
Cg
October 10, 2012
Lomax family trust in the hearer of prayer and he will give you comfort at this time. (Psalm 68:2) I extend my sympathy to the family.
Richard See
October 10, 2012
I am sorry I did not know you Eric Lomax. I would have been honored to stand in the presence of a man among men.
Roger Jermy
October 10, 2012
On behalf of the Aln Valley Railway of which he was an honorary member can I express condolences to all of his family. He was a hero and a gentleman.
James Stover
October 9, 2012
It's very hard in life to find someone as forgiven as you but God has said to forgive and you did the right thing. Thank you sir for serving our country may God bless you and your family in so many ways.
October 9, 2012
Much appreciation for Mr. Lomax and the many others who exemplifies what it truly means to forgive. It remains me of our great teacher Jesus Christ who was able to forgive while dying on the torture stake (Luke 23:34). May we continue to learn from such selfless acts of love and forgiveness.
October 9, 2012
God bless you Mr. Lomax. I know your family is very proud of you and we definitely know you are in heaven,
Phyllis, Chicago, Il.
Pattie Dominick
October 9, 2012
A very special special place awaits you in Heaven, Mr. Lomax. You were an extraordinary human being. Psalm 121..for you.
Bo Lollar
October 9, 2012
You're a better man than I am, Eric Lomax.
Kati
October 9, 2012
I hope for all that knew him receive comfort that he is one of God's true greats.. So many people, made of so much less, would have done the wrong thing. Thank you Mr. Lomax and may you Rest in Peace.
October 9, 2012
Mr. Lomax was a strong individual to go through all he went through. May you find comfort at Micah 4:3. This shows that in Gods New World, all that he fought for will be fulfilled. Psalms 37:10,11.
October 9, 2012
A true Hero!
Kathleen Kearns McFarland
Jacksonville, Florida
USA
Jose Alvarez, Korean War Veteran
October 9, 2012
Great hero, thanks for your service. Once Gen. Macarhur said "Soldiers never die, they just fade away" It's take a great hero and a great believer to forgive thos means Japaneses. Life is eternal; and love is immortal; and death is only a Horizon; and a Horizon is nothing but save the limit of our sight. Great hero, Death is the reward of life and you have won that reward with honor. My God rest your soul in peace.
David Crowe
October 9, 2012
Wow, one heck of a man and a man to be envied for forgiving his captors. I could have never done that. RIP Eric, you've earned it.
Bob Dee
October 9, 2012
To forgive as you did, "You are a better man than I ...Mr. Lomax." May you RIP.
Jayne Maxwell SWARTZWELDER
October 9, 2012
Brave Scottish Soldier....May he rest in peace. I salute you, fellow Scotsman! Your story has touched my heart...May you be remembered by your foes with regret for your humility of forgiveness. Maxwell
Ann
October 9, 2012
What an amazing man....to forgive is devine...I am sure that Eric is in the hands of a loving God...may his family find peace in knowing that he truly was a man of courage and served his country well.
October 9, 2012
With deepest sympathy to the family during your time grief. Psalms 46:1 says God is for us a refuge and strength and a help readily to be found during difficult times. May God provide you with peace and comfort to endure the days ahead.
James Willner
October 9, 2012
May the eternal light shine upon him.....
KAREN JABLONSKI
October 9, 2012
Your a good man Mr. Lomax. God Bless
I J
October 9, 2012
May we all learn by your great example. Condolences to all who knew you. Rest in peace.
Elaine Vance
October 9, 2012
God knows our hearts, Thank you for
your contributions in this life and for
your forgiveness of others. May God be with your family in this time of sorrow
ER
October 9, 2012
RIP, Mr. Lomax. May your inspiring life story live on. Only love builds.
Robert Hubley
October 9, 2012
It takes a great man to forgive others for their evilness. Mr. Lomax is a true hero to all mankind. May he rest in eternal piece with our Lord.
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