The Japanese, scornful of the Allied forces for surrendering, determined to make full use of the new workforce at their disposal.

    Philip Toosey was sent to Thailand to command the bridge camp at Tamarkan, where he was ordered to supervise the construction of two railway bridges over the Khwae Mae Khlong (River Kwai).

     Starvation rations and harsh working conditions up-jungle meant that dysentery and cholera struck, and Tamarkan became a hospital camp.