The Chindit Society
You may not be aware, but sadly 2015 was the last year of the Chindit Old Comrades Association or COCA as it was more commonly known. This organisation has been in existence since the late 1940's and has kept the name and the legend of the Chindits alive ever since. The association was based in Wolverhampton and held an annual dinner in June, as well as organising other events for veterans and their families throughout the year.
Acting alongside COCA, there has been an organisation called 'The Friends of the Chindits'. The aim of the 'Friends' was to provide continuity and support for The Old Comrades, as it looked to maintain the legacy of the Chindit name and to promote their story to a wider audience. This spring (2016), both these organisations have been succeeded by the newly formed 'Chindit Society'.
The aims and objectives of the new Society are:
With this in mind, The Chindit Society warmly welcomes any families with Chindit, or possible Chindit connections to join our group. As well as carrying out the above objectives, we will be looking to produce at least two Society newsletters each year and publishing our own website with the aim of bringing together in one place, the story of the Chindits and their unique contribution to the Burma Campaign.
For more information about joining the Society, please contact: info@thechinditsociety.org.uk
Or alternatively download the membership form shown below.
Update 20/04/2017.
I am pleased to announce that the Chindit Society website is now on line: thechinditsociety.org.uk/about-chindits
You may not be aware, but sadly 2015 was the last year of the Chindit Old Comrades Association or COCA as it was more commonly known. This organisation has been in existence since the late 1940's and has kept the name and the legend of the Chindits alive ever since. The association was based in Wolverhampton and held an annual dinner in June, as well as organising other events for veterans and their families throughout the year.
Acting alongside COCA, there has been an organisation called 'The Friends of the Chindits'. The aim of the 'Friends' was to provide continuity and support for The Old Comrades, as it looked to maintain the legacy of the Chindit name and to promote their story to a wider audience. This spring (2016), both these organisations have been succeeded by the newly formed 'Chindit Society'.
The aims and objectives of the new Society are:
- To protect and maintain the legacy and good name of the Chindits and their great deeds during the Burma Campaign.
- To carry that name forward into the public domain, through presentations and education.
- To gather together and keep safe Chindit writings, memoirs and other treasures for the benefit of future generations.
- To assist families and other interested parties in seeking out the history of their Chindit relative or loved one.
- Wherever possible, to ensure the continued well being of all our Chindit veterans.
With this in mind, The Chindit Society warmly welcomes any families with Chindit, or possible Chindit connections to join our group. As well as carrying out the above objectives, we will be looking to produce at least two Society newsletters each year and publishing our own website with the aim of bringing together in one place, the story of the Chindits and their unique contribution to the Burma Campaign.
For more information about joining the Society, please contact: info@thechinditsociety.org.uk
Or alternatively download the membership form shown below.
Update 20/04/2017.
I am pleased to announce that the Chindit Society website is now on line: thechinditsociety.org.uk/about-chindits
| the-chindit-society-membership-form-1.docx |
The Chindit Society Newsletter Archive
Please take the opportunity to download the back issues of the Chindit Society newsletter, The Chindit Column:
Please take the opportunity to download the back issues of the Chindit Society newsletter, The Chindit Column:
|
|
|
| ||||||||||||
The New 77th Brigade-The Cyber Chindits
A new Army unit, which will use psychology and social media to help Britain fight in the information age, has been created. The 77th Brigade began life in April 2015 and is made up of civilian personnel as well as regulars from all three services. One of its main objectives is to help defence forces operate in a smarter more modern way. Modeled on the spirit and innovation shown by Wingate’s Chindits during WW2, the new unit's focus will be on unconventional and non-lethal methods of engaging the enemy, such as shaping behaviours on-line through the use of propaganda and dynamic narratives.
The development is part of a major restructuring of the military under the Army 2020 plan. The Brigade is being created to draw together a host of existing and developing capabilities essential to meet the challenges of modern conflict and warfare. It recognises that on the cyber battlefield outcomes can be affected in ways that are not necessarily violent and it draws heavily on important lessons learned from our recent experiences in Afghanistan and Iraq. The Brigade will be based at Hermitage in Berkshire and will operate across the Army, Royal Air Force and Royal Navy, as well as training and working with other nations counter-intelligence agencies and across UK government departments.
Seen below are two photographs taken during our Chindit veterans visit to meet the new Brigade on the 17th July 2015. The second image shows our own John Riggs congratulating one of the new members of 77th Brigade on receiving his Army Long Service and Good Conduct Medal. To learn more about the new 77th Brigade, please click on the following link: www.army.mod.uk/structure/39492.aspx
A new Army unit, which will use psychology and social media to help Britain fight in the information age, has been created. The 77th Brigade began life in April 2015 and is made up of civilian personnel as well as regulars from all three services. One of its main objectives is to help defence forces operate in a smarter more modern way. Modeled on the spirit and innovation shown by Wingate’s Chindits during WW2, the new unit's focus will be on unconventional and non-lethal methods of engaging the enemy, such as shaping behaviours on-line through the use of propaganda and dynamic narratives.
The development is part of a major restructuring of the military under the Army 2020 plan. The Brigade is being created to draw together a host of existing and developing capabilities essential to meet the challenges of modern conflict and warfare. It recognises that on the cyber battlefield outcomes can be affected in ways that are not necessarily violent and it draws heavily on important lessons learned from our recent experiences in Afghanistan and Iraq. The Brigade will be based at Hermitage in Berkshire and will operate across the Army, Royal Air Force and Royal Navy, as well as training and working with other nations counter-intelligence agencies and across UK government departments.
Seen below are two photographs taken during our Chindit veterans visit to meet the new Brigade on the 17th July 2015. The second image shows our own John Riggs congratulating one of the new members of 77th Brigade on receiving his Army Long Service and Good Conduct Medal. To learn more about the new 77th Brigade, please click on the following link: www.army.mod.uk/structure/39492.aspx
On the 30th January 2017, a number of our Chindit veterans and their families were invited to the 77th Brigade Head Quarters, for a special lunch in the presence of HRH Prince Charles and the Viscount Slim.
On a rather damp and misty day, the various Chindits made their way to the Denison Barracks, a small Army encampment near the town of Thatcham in Berkshire and were greeted by the officers and NCO’s at the door of the Sergeant’s Mess building. All who attended enjoyed a wonderfully relaxed and informal afternoon, attentively hosted by all ranks from the Brigade.
There was an excellent display of decommissioned weaponry, made up of items used by the Chindits during the two Wingate expeditions. These included: a short magazine Lee Enfield rifle, a Bren gun, a Thompson submachine gun, a Vickers medium machine gun and an American M1 Semi-automatic rifle. Perhaps the only weapons missing from the display, were the trusted 3” mortar and the rather unreliable Sten gun. The was also a small audio-visual display set up showing photographs and video clips of the Brigade’s visit to Mawlu in March 2014. The soldiers chosen to deliver this display did so with great enthusiasm and had clearly been positively affected by their time in Burma.
Later in the afternoon, HRH Prince Charles arrived, sporting, I was pleased to see, his Chindit Old Comrades tie. As always, the Prince spoke to our veterans with both interest and understanding and equally, the Chindits responded with typically informative and witty replies. The Prince, who had come in the first instance to investigate the work of the newly raised ‘Cyber’ Chindit Brigade then addressed the room, thanking his hosts for their warm welcome and absorbing conversation. Commanding Officer, Brigadier Alastair Aitken then responded on behalf of 77th Brigade. I think I can safely say that a good time was had by all and I’m sure our Chindits in particular would like to do it all again soon.
Article by Steve Fogden. Please click on any image to bring it forward on the page.
100-MILE MARCH IN HONOUR OF THE CHINDITS
Chindit veterans dodged the rain and the post-election media frenzy on Friday 9th June to welcome five members of the 21st Century 77th Brigade on the completion of their five-day, 100-mile march from Lichfield Cathedral to London’s Chindit memorial in Victoria Embankment Gardens. They arrived at noon and were greeted by Chindits John Hutchin, Peter Heppell and Bill Smyly, together with Mark Slim and Phil Crawley of the Burma Star Association, Chindit Society and family members, and Major Paul Corden and seven others from 77th Brigade, including the march support team.
At the start of the march on Monday 5 June the 77th Brigade march team members were waved off by Chindit Arthur Baker and his son, Tony. Lichfield Cathedral was chosen as the start point because the Colours of the South Staffordshire Regiment, proudly carrying the “Chindits 1944” and “Burma 1944” battle honours, now rest there. On the Wednesday Chindit Reg Salisbury and his supporter, Michael Smith, met the marchers at a suitable Rendezvous Point (the Cottage of Content pub!) at Bidford-on-Avon and cheered them on.
After a photo session and a short Act of Remembrance ceremony at the Chindit memorial, with the 2-minute silence disturbed by the police helicopter providing top cover to Theresa May as she left Downing Street for her audience with Her Majesty at Buckingham Palace to form a new Government, the party moved off to Bill Slim’s statue on Whitehall for some more photos before boarding a minibus to take them to lunch at the London Scottish Drill Hall on Horseferry Road. Overall, it was an extremely enjoyable event – the sun managed to shine throughout and, as ever, 77th Brigade were wonderful hosts.
The marchers reported no serious damage to their feet. They were not impressed to be told that, nearly 75 years ago, some Chindits found their boots more comfortable without socks!
Article by Tony Redding. Please click on any image to bring forward on the page.
Chindit veterans dodged the rain and the post-election media frenzy on Friday 9th June to welcome five members of the 21st Century 77th Brigade on the completion of their five-day, 100-mile march from Lichfield Cathedral to London’s Chindit memorial in Victoria Embankment Gardens. They arrived at noon and were greeted by Chindits John Hutchin, Peter Heppell and Bill Smyly, together with Mark Slim and Phil Crawley of the Burma Star Association, Chindit Society and family members, and Major Paul Corden and seven others from 77th Brigade, including the march support team.
At the start of the march on Monday 5 June the 77th Brigade march team members were waved off by Chindit Arthur Baker and his son, Tony. Lichfield Cathedral was chosen as the start point because the Colours of the South Staffordshire Regiment, proudly carrying the “Chindits 1944” and “Burma 1944” battle honours, now rest there. On the Wednesday Chindit Reg Salisbury and his supporter, Michael Smith, met the marchers at a suitable Rendezvous Point (the Cottage of Content pub!) at Bidford-on-Avon and cheered them on.
After a photo session and a short Act of Remembrance ceremony at the Chindit memorial, with the 2-minute silence disturbed by the police helicopter providing top cover to Theresa May as she left Downing Street for her audience with Her Majesty at Buckingham Palace to form a new Government, the party moved off to Bill Slim’s statue on Whitehall for some more photos before boarding a minibus to take them to lunch at the London Scottish Drill Hall on Horseferry Road. Overall, it was an extremely enjoyable event – the sun managed to shine throughout and, as ever, 77th Brigade were wonderful hosts.
The marchers reported no serious damage to their feet. They were not impressed to be told that, nearly 75 years ago, some Chindits found their boots more comfortable without socks!
Article by Tony Redding. Please click on any image to bring forward on the page.
ROYAL VISIT TO 77th BRIGADE – WEDNESDAY 22nd NOVEMBER 2017
On Wednesday 22nd November last year HRH Prince Edward the Duke of Kent KG GCMG GCVO ADC (HM the Queen’s cousin and a Field Marshal) visited 77th Brigade at Denison Barracks, Hermitage. This gave another opportunity for Chindit and Burma Star veterans and their families/supporters, along with Chindit Society and Burma Star Association organisers, to visit the Brigade.
While HRH was given his royal tour of the Brigade in the morning, the veterans and their families/ supporters gathered at the Officers’ Mess.
After refreshments and a chance to look at the ever-popular Burma weapons collection and some display boards on the two Chindit operations, the veterans were given a presentation on today’s 77th Brigade by Lt Col (Retd) Paul Corden, covering the Brigade’s organisation, role and capabilities. This highlighted that today’s 77th Brigade is concerned with Information Activities and Outreach at the non-lethal end of the spectrum of military operations, focusing on changing attitudes and behaviours of selected target audiences.
A group photo was set up for the arrival of HRH, who duly took his place on arrival in the Mess. HRH then looked at the weapons display, presented some replacement medals to the family of a deceased Burma Star veteran, and then joined the veterans for a lively chat over a glass of sherry, along with the Viscount Slim and Brigadier Chris Bell OBE, the Brigade Commander.
HRH, the veterans and their families/supporters then joined over sixty members of today’s Brigade at a convivial sit-down buffet lunch for a hundred people, following which HRH mingled with everyone in the Ante Room for a while before departing. As he left, HRH told the Brigadier that it was the most enjoyable visit he had been on for ages, with meeting the veterans being a very special highlight.
The veterans and their families/supporters were then shuttled by minibus to the Brigade Headquarters, where they were divided into three groups and went on a round-robin of three stands to meet some of today’s personnel and learn more about what they do.
In the Operations Centre they heard about various current operations the Brigade is supporting, including in Estonia, the Middle East and Africa.
In the Production area they met some of the highly creative specialists who use civilian artistic talents such as photography, film production, still and moving cartoon drawing and other creative design methods to get key messages across to selected target audiences, and they saw some fascinating examples of their products.
The Task Group explained their various skills that can be employed on the ground in operational areas by Information Warfare Teams (who conduct Information Activities, including Psychological Operations and gathering and disseminating information) and Tactical Engagement Teams (who conduct Outreach activities, including Civil-Military Co-operation and Stabilisation). Some personnel who had recently deployed to the Caribbean as part of the UK’s response to Hurricane Irma also explained how their skills can be used on disaster relief operations.
After the round-robin the visiting party returned to the Officers’ Mess for some final refreshments and then dispersed. It had been a full, varied, stimulating and fun day, with lots to take in, but the general consensus was that everyone now had a much better idea of what today’s 77th Brigade is all about.
Additionally, the veterans and their families/supporters seemed to be particularly impressed with the quality of all the people they had met, both socially in the Mess and during the round-robin in the afternoon. Their overall impression was that the 77th Brigade personnel they had met came across as bright, cheerful, personable, professional, buzzing with energy and all mutually reinforcing the Brigade’s key messages in an impressively joined-up way – perhaps a successful Information Activity effort in itself!
Article Lt-Colonel Paul Corden. Please click on any image to bring forward on the page.
On Wednesday 22nd November last year HRH Prince Edward the Duke of Kent KG GCMG GCVO ADC (HM the Queen’s cousin and a Field Marshal) visited 77th Brigade at Denison Barracks, Hermitage. This gave another opportunity for Chindit and Burma Star veterans and their families/supporters, along with Chindit Society and Burma Star Association organisers, to visit the Brigade.
While HRH was given his royal tour of the Brigade in the morning, the veterans and their families/ supporters gathered at the Officers’ Mess.
After refreshments and a chance to look at the ever-popular Burma weapons collection and some display boards on the two Chindit operations, the veterans were given a presentation on today’s 77th Brigade by Lt Col (Retd) Paul Corden, covering the Brigade’s organisation, role and capabilities. This highlighted that today’s 77th Brigade is concerned with Information Activities and Outreach at the non-lethal end of the spectrum of military operations, focusing on changing attitudes and behaviours of selected target audiences.
A group photo was set up for the arrival of HRH, who duly took his place on arrival in the Mess. HRH then looked at the weapons display, presented some replacement medals to the family of a deceased Burma Star veteran, and then joined the veterans for a lively chat over a glass of sherry, along with the Viscount Slim and Brigadier Chris Bell OBE, the Brigade Commander.
HRH, the veterans and their families/supporters then joined over sixty members of today’s Brigade at a convivial sit-down buffet lunch for a hundred people, following which HRH mingled with everyone in the Ante Room for a while before departing. As he left, HRH told the Brigadier that it was the most enjoyable visit he had been on for ages, with meeting the veterans being a very special highlight.
The veterans and their families/supporters were then shuttled by minibus to the Brigade Headquarters, where they were divided into three groups and went on a round-robin of three stands to meet some of today’s personnel and learn more about what they do.
In the Operations Centre they heard about various current operations the Brigade is supporting, including in Estonia, the Middle East and Africa.
In the Production area they met some of the highly creative specialists who use civilian artistic talents such as photography, film production, still and moving cartoon drawing and other creative design methods to get key messages across to selected target audiences, and they saw some fascinating examples of their products.
The Task Group explained their various skills that can be employed on the ground in operational areas by Information Warfare Teams (who conduct Information Activities, including Psychological Operations and gathering and disseminating information) and Tactical Engagement Teams (who conduct Outreach activities, including Civil-Military Co-operation and Stabilisation). Some personnel who had recently deployed to the Caribbean as part of the UK’s response to Hurricane Irma also explained how their skills can be used on disaster relief operations.
After the round-robin the visiting party returned to the Officers’ Mess for some final refreshments and then dispersed. It had been a full, varied, stimulating and fun day, with lots to take in, but the general consensus was that everyone now had a much better idea of what today’s 77th Brigade is all about.
Additionally, the veterans and their families/supporters seemed to be particularly impressed with the quality of all the people they had met, both socially in the Mess and during the round-robin in the afternoon. Their overall impression was that the 77th Brigade personnel they had met came across as bright, cheerful, personable, professional, buzzing with energy and all mutually reinforcing the Brigade’s key messages in an impressively joined-up way – perhaps a successful Information Activity effort in itself!
Article Lt-Colonel Paul Corden. Please click on any image to bring forward on the page.
THE 77th BRIGADE’S CHINDWIN DINNER – 27th JANUARY 2018
On Saturday 27th January this year 77th Brigade commemorated the 75th Anniversary of the start of Operation Longcloth. Chindit and Burma Star veterans and their families/supporters, as well as key Chindit Society members and other external guests, were invited to make the event even more special.
The Chindit veterans who attended along with their families/supporters were Bill Smyly (the only still active veteran who fought in both Chindit operations), Peter Heppell, Horace Howkins and Reg Salisbury. The Burma Star Association was represented by veteran John Giddings MBE, their Chairman.
Sadly, the Viscount Slim was unable to attend, but other guests included Holly and Alice Wingate (now Wingate Pearce, following her marriage last year to Ed Pearce, who also attended), George Fergusson (son of Bernard Fergusson, who commanded No 5 Column on Operation Longcloth and 16th Brigade on Operation Thursday), Lt Col (Retd) Tony Groves, ex-6th Gurkha Rifles (whose mother’s cousin was a Spitfire pilot shot down and killed at Broadway on 17th March 1944), and the Chindit Society committee members, led by the Chairman, Paul Shenton JP.
The event started with a series of presentations in the Brigade Lecture Theatre, with an introduction given by Lt Col (Retd) Paul Corden of Brigade Headquarters, who explained what the event was all about, including the background to the formation of today’s 77th Brigade and why it was given the number “77” (to channel the spirit of experimentation and innovation of the original Chindits / 77th Indian Infantry Brigade), and the Brigade’s pride in its Chindit heritage – a unifying “back-story/ history”, with the Chinthe arm badge as a unifying symbol for the soldiers, sailors, marines and airmen who serve in it.
For the benefit of some of the 77th Brigade personnel in the audience, especially Reservists, who had not really met the veterans before, he then explained the Brigade’s links with the Chindit Society and Burma Star Association. He rounded off with a quick overview of the Brigade’s Battlefield Study trip to Burma in March 2016, including showing a video of the trip made by Levison Wood, the famous TV adventurer, who happens to be a Reservist Parachute Regiment Major serving with 77th Brigade.
Dr Simon Anglim, a Teaching Fellow in the Department of War Studies at King’s College, London, then gave a fascinating presentation on the origins and development of Orde Wingate’s Long Range Penetration theory, using his experiences in Sudan, Palestine and Ethiopia, culminating in him raising the original 77th Brigade in India in 1942.
Steve Fogden, the Chindit Society’s own Archivist, then gave an expert personal presentation on Operation Longcloth. His talk was full of interesting details, illustrated by some wonderful photos and always emphasising the human perspective; indeed, his own grandfather was captured during the operation, ultimately to die as a Prisoner of War in Rangoon Jail.
Everyone then changed for dinner and reassembled in the Officers’ Mess Ante Room for drinks. The room was a splendid mixture of scarlet, gold, black, yellow and even more exotic colours of Mess Kit, Dinner Jackets, Chindit blazers, medals, evening dresses and Peter Wall’s tie!
A key local dignitary joined at this stage in the form of the Rt Hon Richard Benyon, MP for Newbury, himself a former Royal Greenjackets officer.
Holly and Alice Wingate, along with Bill Smyly, posed for photos with a new piece of silver obtained by 77th Brigade to mark the occasion: a statuette of Field Marshal Bill Slim, with a commemorative inscription plaque engraved with the original and new Chinthe badges, a real Burma Star medal attached on one side and a 14th Army badge on the other.
After a speech of welcome by Brigadier Chris Bell OBE, everyone took their places in the Dining Room, with the tables laden with silver, candles, glassware and napkins.
Inside the menu booklets on the tables was a wonderful surprise: Dame Vera Lynn had been invited but, unable to attend, she had sent a signed photo with the Chindit motto (“The boldest measures are the safest”), which was printed inside each booklet, along with a wonderful, personal message to everyone, and especially to the veterans “to whom we owe so much."
The buzz of lively conversation never ceased as the veterans and their families/supporters got to know their modern counterparts better over a delicious five-course meal.
Even after the meal the conversation never ceased, as everyone retired to the Ante Room for more war stories and liquid refreshment!
Eventually the numbers started to dwindle, but several veterans fought an impressively valiant rearguard action until well after midnight, and a hardcore group of 77th Brigade officers carried on the motion until after 5.30 in the morning!
All in all, it was a memorable event that seems to have been enjoyed by all, and made all the more special by the presence of the wonderful veterans. It can certainly be said that this year’s commemoration of the 75th Anniversary of Operation Longcloth has well and truly started!
Article Lt-Colonel Paul Corden. Please click on any image to bring forward on the page.
On Saturday 27th January this year 77th Brigade commemorated the 75th Anniversary of the start of Operation Longcloth. Chindit and Burma Star veterans and their families/supporters, as well as key Chindit Society members and other external guests, were invited to make the event even more special.
The Chindit veterans who attended along with their families/supporters were Bill Smyly (the only still active veteran who fought in both Chindit operations), Peter Heppell, Horace Howkins and Reg Salisbury. The Burma Star Association was represented by veteran John Giddings MBE, their Chairman.
Sadly, the Viscount Slim was unable to attend, but other guests included Holly and Alice Wingate (now Wingate Pearce, following her marriage last year to Ed Pearce, who also attended), George Fergusson (son of Bernard Fergusson, who commanded No 5 Column on Operation Longcloth and 16th Brigade on Operation Thursday), Lt Col (Retd) Tony Groves, ex-6th Gurkha Rifles (whose mother’s cousin was a Spitfire pilot shot down and killed at Broadway on 17th March 1944), and the Chindit Society committee members, led by the Chairman, Paul Shenton JP.
The event started with a series of presentations in the Brigade Lecture Theatre, with an introduction given by Lt Col (Retd) Paul Corden of Brigade Headquarters, who explained what the event was all about, including the background to the formation of today’s 77th Brigade and why it was given the number “77” (to channel the spirit of experimentation and innovation of the original Chindits / 77th Indian Infantry Brigade), and the Brigade’s pride in its Chindit heritage – a unifying “back-story/ history”, with the Chinthe arm badge as a unifying symbol for the soldiers, sailors, marines and airmen who serve in it.
For the benefit of some of the 77th Brigade personnel in the audience, especially Reservists, who had not really met the veterans before, he then explained the Brigade’s links with the Chindit Society and Burma Star Association. He rounded off with a quick overview of the Brigade’s Battlefield Study trip to Burma in March 2016, including showing a video of the trip made by Levison Wood, the famous TV adventurer, who happens to be a Reservist Parachute Regiment Major serving with 77th Brigade.
Dr Simon Anglim, a Teaching Fellow in the Department of War Studies at King’s College, London, then gave a fascinating presentation on the origins and development of Orde Wingate’s Long Range Penetration theory, using his experiences in Sudan, Palestine and Ethiopia, culminating in him raising the original 77th Brigade in India in 1942.
Steve Fogden, the Chindit Society’s own Archivist, then gave an expert personal presentation on Operation Longcloth. His talk was full of interesting details, illustrated by some wonderful photos and always emphasising the human perspective; indeed, his own grandfather was captured during the operation, ultimately to die as a Prisoner of War in Rangoon Jail.
Everyone then changed for dinner and reassembled in the Officers’ Mess Ante Room for drinks. The room was a splendid mixture of scarlet, gold, black, yellow and even more exotic colours of Mess Kit, Dinner Jackets, Chindit blazers, medals, evening dresses and Peter Wall’s tie!
A key local dignitary joined at this stage in the form of the Rt Hon Richard Benyon, MP for Newbury, himself a former Royal Greenjackets officer.
Holly and Alice Wingate, along with Bill Smyly, posed for photos with a new piece of silver obtained by 77th Brigade to mark the occasion: a statuette of Field Marshal Bill Slim, with a commemorative inscription plaque engraved with the original and new Chinthe badges, a real Burma Star medal attached on one side and a 14th Army badge on the other.
After a speech of welcome by Brigadier Chris Bell OBE, everyone took their places in the Dining Room, with the tables laden with silver, candles, glassware and napkins.
Inside the menu booklets on the tables was a wonderful surprise: Dame Vera Lynn had been invited but, unable to attend, she had sent a signed photo with the Chindit motto (“The boldest measures are the safest”), which was printed inside each booklet, along with a wonderful, personal message to everyone, and especially to the veterans “to whom we owe so much."
The buzz of lively conversation never ceased as the veterans and their families/supporters got to know their modern counterparts better over a delicious five-course meal.
Even after the meal the conversation never ceased, as everyone retired to the Ante Room for more war stories and liquid refreshment!
Eventually the numbers started to dwindle, but several veterans fought an impressively valiant rearguard action until well after midnight, and a hardcore group of 77th Brigade officers carried on the motion until after 5.30 in the morning!
All in all, it was a memorable event that seems to have been enjoyed by all, and made all the more special by the presence of the wonderful veterans. It can certainly be said that this year’s commemoration of the 75th Anniversary of Operation Longcloth has well and truly started!
Article Lt-Colonel Paul Corden. Please click on any image to bring forward on the page.
