The Marine from Mandalay by James Leasor

A real-life World War II tale of survival and perseverance against overwhelming odds from the international bestselling author of Passport to Oblivion.
This is the true story of William Doyle, a Royal Marine wounded by shrapnel in Mandalay who undergoes a long solitary march through the whole of Burma to flee the Japanese. He then finds his way back through India and back to Britain to report for duty in Plymouth. On his way Doyle has many encounters and adventures and helps British and Indian refugees. He also has to overcome complete disbelief that a single man could walk out of Burma with nothing but his orders-to report to HQ-and his initiative.