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
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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:
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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/who-we-are/formations-divisions-brigades/6th-united-kingdom-division/77-brigade/
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/who-we-are/formations-divisions-brigades/6th-united-kingdom-division/77-brigade/
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.
Commemoration Dinner for Operation Thursday
With the huge success of the 77th Brigade Officers’ Mess Chindwin Dinner to celebrate the 75th Anniversary of the start of Operation Longcloth, which occurred in January 2018, and was attended by some very distinguished guests, Holly and Alice Wingate, not to mention George Fergusson (son of Bernard Fergusson who commanded No. 5 Column on Operation Longcloth), the Warrant Officers’ & Sergeants’ Mess held a dinner on Friday 20th April, to commemorate Operation Thursday which began so many years ago on the 5th March 1944.
The 75th Anniversary to celebrate the start of Operation Thursday will be 2019 next year, and so the Mess could not achieve such a array of guests to support our evening, however we were honoured with the attendance of John Hutchin and Peter Heppell, sadly with the unhappy news of Bill Smyly succumbing to illness and so unable to be with us for the evening. The Station Commander (Lt Col Humphreys) along with the Brigade Commander (Brigadier Bell) graced the top table along with our Chindit veterans. Also invited was an Officer from the 1st Battalion, the Mercian Regiment, which has been formed through the amalgamation of what was the ‘South Stafford’s’, including many other regiments that fought so gallantly throughout the Burma Campaign.
The evening started with the younger members of the Mess, meeting and sharing their present day exploits with both John and his wife Ann and Peter, with his daughter Sally (see photographs below), on the patio over a glass or two of wine before the obligatory Mess photo, which because of the superb spring weather on the evening came out exceptionally well. It was decided that because of the constant influx of new and ever younger members to 77 Brigade, the evening should be run along the lines of personal ‘bio-pics’ of our Chindit veterans and their experiences through this particular phase of the Second Chindit expedition.
The call to dinner was played by a member of the Rifles Regiment Band, who very kindly supported the evening with other members of the regiment that made up the quartet. With the first course completed, this was the signal to concentrate on our guests with a series of presentations enhanced by both audio and large screen visual aids. With both John and Peter’s acceptance, selected members of the Mess set the scene of what they had both endured during the first few hours, in the deliverance of this historic Chindit operation so many years ago. It was a privilege to understand the hardships that they both endured through this period, which impacted on them and their families.
Bringing the evening to a close we asked John Hutchin to remember those nearest and dearest currently away from us on operations from within 77th Brigade and to our fallen comrades, but the evening didn’t finish there. As you would expect a dinner night would never be a dinner night without the sound of regimental music that covers the Brigade’s numerous cap badges from all the different regiments and services such as the Royal Air Force and the Royal Marines that we have serving with us.
Retiring into the bar gave us all a chance to get better acquainted and to reflect on what we had learnt about what John and Peter had gone through whilst in the jungle in 1944. The younger members of the Mess took it upon themselves to really interact and make our distinguished veterans feel welcomed.
This was a memorable occasion for all those that attended and we as a Mess were honoured to be in the presence of such humble and exceptional men. We look forward to 2019, which will enable us to commemorate the 75th Anniversary of Operation Thursday to the fullest.
Article by WO2 Kevin Carter, 77 Brigade. Please click on any image to bring it forward on the page.
With the huge success of the 77th Brigade Officers’ Mess Chindwin Dinner to celebrate the 75th Anniversary of the start of Operation Longcloth, which occurred in January 2018, and was attended by some very distinguished guests, Holly and Alice Wingate, not to mention George Fergusson (son of Bernard Fergusson who commanded No. 5 Column on Operation Longcloth), the Warrant Officers’ & Sergeants’ Mess held a dinner on Friday 20th April, to commemorate Operation Thursday which began so many years ago on the 5th March 1944.
The 75th Anniversary to celebrate the start of Operation Thursday will be 2019 next year, and so the Mess could not achieve such a array of guests to support our evening, however we were honoured with the attendance of John Hutchin and Peter Heppell, sadly with the unhappy news of Bill Smyly succumbing to illness and so unable to be with us for the evening. The Station Commander (Lt Col Humphreys) along with the Brigade Commander (Brigadier Bell) graced the top table along with our Chindit veterans. Also invited was an Officer from the 1st Battalion, the Mercian Regiment, which has been formed through the amalgamation of what was the ‘South Stafford’s’, including many other regiments that fought so gallantly throughout the Burma Campaign.
The evening started with the younger members of the Mess, meeting and sharing their present day exploits with both John and his wife Ann and Peter, with his daughter Sally (see photographs below), on the patio over a glass or two of wine before the obligatory Mess photo, which because of the superb spring weather on the evening came out exceptionally well. It was decided that because of the constant influx of new and ever younger members to 77 Brigade, the evening should be run along the lines of personal ‘bio-pics’ of our Chindit veterans and their experiences through this particular phase of the Second Chindit expedition.
The call to dinner was played by a member of the Rifles Regiment Band, who very kindly supported the evening with other members of the regiment that made up the quartet. With the first course completed, this was the signal to concentrate on our guests with a series of presentations enhanced by both audio and large screen visual aids. With both John and Peter’s acceptance, selected members of the Mess set the scene of what they had both endured during the first few hours, in the deliverance of this historic Chindit operation so many years ago. It was a privilege to understand the hardships that they both endured through this period, which impacted on them and their families.
Bringing the evening to a close we asked John Hutchin to remember those nearest and dearest currently away from us on operations from within 77th Brigade and to our fallen comrades, but the evening didn’t finish there. As you would expect a dinner night would never be a dinner night without the sound of regimental music that covers the Brigade’s numerous cap badges from all the different regiments and services such as the Royal Air Force and the Royal Marines that we have serving with us.
Retiring into the bar gave us all a chance to get better acquainted and to reflect on what we had learnt about what John and Peter had gone through whilst in the jungle in 1944. The younger members of the Mess took it upon themselves to really interact and make our distinguished veterans feel welcomed.
This was a memorable occasion for all those that attended and we as a Mess were honoured to be in the presence of such humble and exceptional men. We look forward to 2019, which will enable us to commemorate the 75th Anniversary of Operation Thursday to the fullest.
Article by WO2 Kevin Carter, 77 Brigade. Please click on any image to bring it forward on the page.
CHINDIT ANNUAL REUNION 8-10 JUNE 2018
This year’s Chindit Annual Reunion over the weekend 8-10 June was a key event commemorating the 75th Anniversary of Operation Longcloth, the first Chindit operation in 1943.
The first wave of participants established a stronghold at the Village Hotel, Walsall on Friday 8 June. After a relaxed and informal evening, and fortified by a hearty breakfast, they gathered on the Saturday morning to hear Tony Redding interviewing three Chindit veterans: Jim Clark, John Hutchin and Peter Heppell. Tony skilfully probed the veterans to draw out some special, personal reminiscences of their time as Chindits. Their answers were fascinating, moving and full of wonderful insights, and all present felt privileged just to be there listening in.
The focus then switched to the National Memorial Arboretum at Alrewas, near Lichfield. Over a hundred people gathered there over lunchtime, with the RV sensibly being the cafeteria – much simpler than a supply drop! Veterans and their families and supporters mixed with uniformed members of today’s 77th Brigade in a happy throng, until at 2.20pm a smart Gurkha piper summoned everyone to the Memorial Chapel with the skirl of bagpipes. The Chapel quickly filled up with families and supporters, then the veterans proudly entered, accompanied by the 77th Brigade contingent, and filled the front pew with an impressive row of uniforms, medals and Chindit badges.
The Revd. Alex Battey, 77th Brigade’s Padre, then conducted a wonderfully moving memorial service, with hymns and prayers interspersed with Wingate’s Order of the Day (Steve Fogden), Orde Wingate’s favourite reading from Ecclesiastes (Paul Shenton), the Chindit Prayer (Mandy Walsh), the Chindits’ Sonnet (Sally Lockhart), the 77th Brigade Collect (Lt Col (Retd) Paul Corden) and a fascinating and very personal address by Tony Redding.
From the Chapel, everyone was then lured by the Gurkha piper to a nearby marquee for tea and cake (shades of the Pied Piper!), rounded off by the veterans ceremonially cutting a magnificent commemorative cake exquisitely decorated with the Chindit badge. Huge thanks to John and Pat Pearce for organising the cake, and to Amanda of Cakes by Design, St Ives, for her excellent baking and icing!
From the marquee, everyone then moved to the Chindit Memorial, passing through the beautifully tended grounds of the Arboretum, with everything in full bloom and looking wonderful in the glorious sunshine that we were blessed with. A couple of large golf-buggies carried those who needed a lift, including some of those who had marched hundreds of miles back in the war and didn’t need to prove themselves again! Once more, the Gurkha piper played as everyone gathered. Testament to the large attendance, there were not enough chairs and several people had to stand.
Alex Battey then conducted a short but moving ceremony at the Chindit Memorial. After an opening prayer, veteran John Hutchin gave the Exhortation. The Gurkha bugler, who had silently accompanied the piper throughout, then finally had his moment, playing the Last Post and Reveille either side of the 2-minute silence, his haunting bugle notes mixing beautifully with the background birdsong. Peter Heppell then gave the Kohima Epitaph, and the Gurkha piper then played a lament as wreaths were laid by Peter Heppell, Joe Cowley, Lt Col (Retd) Paul Corden of 77th Brigade, and Chris Titmuss of the Help for Forgotten Allies (H4FA) charity.
At the end of the ceremony Paul Shenton addressed the gathering, then the veterans were seated in front of the Chindit Memorial for a series of photos with various groups added to them, such as the Chindit Society Committee, families and 77th Brigade, flanked by the Gurkha piper and bugler, whose presence added so much to the day, reflecting the large part that Gurkhas played in both Chindit operations.
After the photos people reluctantly started to disperse from the Arboretum, after what had been a wonderful event. Some had to return home, but the majority headed to the Village Hotel stronghold for the next phase of the operation: the Reunion Dinner. After some much-needed rehydration in the bar, seventy-three sat down for the dinner in a private room, with the veterans sprinkled around, carefully rationed at one per table: Peter Heppell, John Hutchin, Ian Niven, Jim Clark, Robbie Robertson and Horace Howkins. A delicious meal was enjoyed by all, amidst loud and convivial conversation. Throughout, a fascinating sequence of photos of Chindits was projected onto large screens in the background – several showing veterans present in the room, or relatives of others present, which clearly struck a chord whenever a familiar face appeared. There were a number of toasts and speeches, with the keynote address being given by Geordie Fergusson, until recently the Governor of Bermuda but, more importantly, the son of Bernard Fergusson, who commanded No 5 Column, 77th Brigade on Operation Longcloth and then 16th Brigade on Operation Thursday – a real privilege to hear him, mainly using the words of his father.
With raffle prizes distributed, the formal dinner proceedings drew to a close, and tables broke down into dispersal groups to make their way back to the bar. Several veterans fought valiant rearguard actions in the bar, supported by family and friends, before eventually retiring to their rooms, with quite a few keeping going until well after midnight – no names, no pack-drill, but we know who we are!
The following morning there was another 'interview with a veteran' session, this one conducted by Lt Col (Retd) Paul Corden of 77th Brigade. Two of the veterans were the same – Peter Heppell and Jim Clark – but the third was new and added a different dimension: Squadron Leader (Retd) Robbie Robertson, who was in the RAF Liaison Team with No 22 Column, 16th Brigade, and who helped call in air resupply and close air support for them on the ground. Paul’s questions were different to Tony Redding’s the day before, so everyone present heard some completely new personal insights and vignettes from the veterans – another memorable privilege. This was the final event of a very full and enjoyable weekend, and the remaining participants then dispersed.
In closing, congratulations and a huge “thank you” have to go to all those involved in organising the various elements of the whole weekend, but especially to Paul Shenton, who masterminded the overall organisation and did so much to make it the resounding success that it was. Despite having to deal with a variety of crises and problems throughout the weekend, he maintained his composure like the proverbial swan (all serene on the surface, but with the legs paddling madly below!) and ensured that everyone had the most wonderful time, especially our magnificent veterans, to whom we all owe so much.
Article by Lt-Colonel Paul Corden. Please click on any image to bring it forward on the page.
This year’s Chindit Annual Reunion over the weekend 8-10 June was a key event commemorating the 75th Anniversary of Operation Longcloth, the first Chindit operation in 1943.
The first wave of participants established a stronghold at the Village Hotel, Walsall on Friday 8 June. After a relaxed and informal evening, and fortified by a hearty breakfast, they gathered on the Saturday morning to hear Tony Redding interviewing three Chindit veterans: Jim Clark, John Hutchin and Peter Heppell. Tony skilfully probed the veterans to draw out some special, personal reminiscences of their time as Chindits. Their answers were fascinating, moving and full of wonderful insights, and all present felt privileged just to be there listening in.
The focus then switched to the National Memorial Arboretum at Alrewas, near Lichfield. Over a hundred people gathered there over lunchtime, with the RV sensibly being the cafeteria – much simpler than a supply drop! Veterans and their families and supporters mixed with uniformed members of today’s 77th Brigade in a happy throng, until at 2.20pm a smart Gurkha piper summoned everyone to the Memorial Chapel with the skirl of bagpipes. The Chapel quickly filled up with families and supporters, then the veterans proudly entered, accompanied by the 77th Brigade contingent, and filled the front pew with an impressive row of uniforms, medals and Chindit badges.
The Revd. Alex Battey, 77th Brigade’s Padre, then conducted a wonderfully moving memorial service, with hymns and prayers interspersed with Wingate’s Order of the Day (Steve Fogden), Orde Wingate’s favourite reading from Ecclesiastes (Paul Shenton), the Chindit Prayer (Mandy Walsh), the Chindits’ Sonnet (Sally Lockhart), the 77th Brigade Collect (Lt Col (Retd) Paul Corden) and a fascinating and very personal address by Tony Redding.
From the Chapel, everyone was then lured by the Gurkha piper to a nearby marquee for tea and cake (shades of the Pied Piper!), rounded off by the veterans ceremonially cutting a magnificent commemorative cake exquisitely decorated with the Chindit badge. Huge thanks to John and Pat Pearce for organising the cake, and to Amanda of Cakes by Design, St Ives, for her excellent baking and icing!
From the marquee, everyone then moved to the Chindit Memorial, passing through the beautifully tended grounds of the Arboretum, with everything in full bloom and looking wonderful in the glorious sunshine that we were blessed with. A couple of large golf-buggies carried those who needed a lift, including some of those who had marched hundreds of miles back in the war and didn’t need to prove themselves again! Once more, the Gurkha piper played as everyone gathered. Testament to the large attendance, there were not enough chairs and several people had to stand.
Alex Battey then conducted a short but moving ceremony at the Chindit Memorial. After an opening prayer, veteran John Hutchin gave the Exhortation. The Gurkha bugler, who had silently accompanied the piper throughout, then finally had his moment, playing the Last Post and Reveille either side of the 2-minute silence, his haunting bugle notes mixing beautifully with the background birdsong. Peter Heppell then gave the Kohima Epitaph, and the Gurkha piper then played a lament as wreaths were laid by Peter Heppell, Joe Cowley, Lt Col (Retd) Paul Corden of 77th Brigade, and Chris Titmuss of the Help for Forgotten Allies (H4FA) charity.
At the end of the ceremony Paul Shenton addressed the gathering, then the veterans were seated in front of the Chindit Memorial for a series of photos with various groups added to them, such as the Chindit Society Committee, families and 77th Brigade, flanked by the Gurkha piper and bugler, whose presence added so much to the day, reflecting the large part that Gurkhas played in both Chindit operations.
After the photos people reluctantly started to disperse from the Arboretum, after what had been a wonderful event. Some had to return home, but the majority headed to the Village Hotel stronghold for the next phase of the operation: the Reunion Dinner. After some much-needed rehydration in the bar, seventy-three sat down for the dinner in a private room, with the veterans sprinkled around, carefully rationed at one per table: Peter Heppell, John Hutchin, Ian Niven, Jim Clark, Robbie Robertson and Horace Howkins. A delicious meal was enjoyed by all, amidst loud and convivial conversation. Throughout, a fascinating sequence of photos of Chindits was projected onto large screens in the background – several showing veterans present in the room, or relatives of others present, which clearly struck a chord whenever a familiar face appeared. There were a number of toasts and speeches, with the keynote address being given by Geordie Fergusson, until recently the Governor of Bermuda but, more importantly, the son of Bernard Fergusson, who commanded No 5 Column, 77th Brigade on Operation Longcloth and then 16th Brigade on Operation Thursday – a real privilege to hear him, mainly using the words of his father.
With raffle prizes distributed, the formal dinner proceedings drew to a close, and tables broke down into dispersal groups to make their way back to the bar. Several veterans fought valiant rearguard actions in the bar, supported by family and friends, before eventually retiring to their rooms, with quite a few keeping going until well after midnight – no names, no pack-drill, but we know who we are!
The following morning there was another 'interview with a veteran' session, this one conducted by Lt Col (Retd) Paul Corden of 77th Brigade. Two of the veterans were the same – Peter Heppell and Jim Clark – but the third was new and added a different dimension: Squadron Leader (Retd) Robbie Robertson, who was in the RAF Liaison Team with No 22 Column, 16th Brigade, and who helped call in air resupply and close air support for them on the ground. Paul’s questions were different to Tony Redding’s the day before, so everyone present heard some completely new personal insights and vignettes from the veterans – another memorable privilege. This was the final event of a very full and enjoyable weekend, and the remaining participants then dispersed.
In closing, congratulations and a huge “thank you” have to go to all those involved in organising the various elements of the whole weekend, but especially to Paul Shenton, who masterminded the overall organisation and did so much to make it the resounding success that it was. Despite having to deal with a variety of crises and problems throughout the weekend, he maintained his composure like the proverbial swan (all serene on the surface, but with the legs paddling madly below!) and ensured that everyone had the most wonderful time, especially our magnificent veterans, to whom we all owe so much.
Article by Lt-Colonel Paul Corden. Please click on any image to bring it forward on the page.
Bill Smyly, Lichfield Cathedral 2009.
A Fond Farewell to Bill Smyly
The funeral service for Chindit veteran Bill Smyly, who died in May aged 95, took place at St Andrew’s Church, Kimbolton Road, Bedford on 25 June.
A guard of honour was formed by representatives of 77th Brigade, the Brigade of Gurkhas and the Royal British Legion, including ten RBL standard-bearers. The church was packed, with attendees including: Colonel Colin Mason OBE TD DL MPhil, the Vice Lord Lieutenant of Bedfordshire; a delegation from the Japanese Embassy in London, reflecting Bill’s efforts towards reconciliation; Major (Retd) Nigel Wylie Carrick MBE, representing the Sirmoor Rifles Association (Bill’s regiment was the 2nd King Edward VII's Own Gurkha Rifles (The Sirmoor Rifles)); and Geordie Fergusson, the son of Bernard Fergusson, who was Bill’s commander on both Chindit operations.
The Revd. James Reveley gave a wonderful tribute, covering Bill’s life from his birth in China in 1922, where his parents were missionary doctors, through his wartime service as a 2nd Gurkha Rifles officer with the Chindits (he took part in both Operation Longcloth and Operation Thursday), to his amazingly varied and well-travelled post-war life as a journalist, first in the UK and then in Hong Kong (driving out there overland in a Standard 8 car!), then as a teacher in Hong Kong (where he met his wife, Diana), then, after further study, working for the British Council in Thailand and Saudi Arabia, then a spell in the UK as Education Officer at Bedford Prison (until their daughter, Eleanor, finished school and went up to university), then another stint with the British Council in China, before finally returning to the UK and retiring – although he was anything but idle in his retirement, with his interests including music, art, drama and ballet. A committed Christian, he also devoted considerable time to the church. He was also a keen participant in the many Chindit veteran activities of recent years, including attending several events with 77th Brigade at Hermitage and at the Field of Remembrance and other ceremonies in London and elsewhere.
Bill’s Chindit service was extraordinary, even by Chindit standards. On Operation Longcloth in 1943 he was Animal Transport Officer in charge of the mules for No 5 Column, 77th Brigade, under the command of the then Major Bernard Fergusson. After a long march into Burma, crossing the Chindwin and Irrawaddy rivers along the way, they blew up bridges and railway lines on the Japanese supply routes until they were cornered by the Japanese Imperial Army in the Shweli “bag”. When they dispersed and tried to make their way back to India, Bill, suffering from beriberi, got separated from his comrades. Living off the land and helped by local Burmese villagers, Bill hobbled on on his own for three months, covering hundreds of miles to Fort Hertz, an intelligence post and airstrip in northern Burma, from where he was eventually flown back to India.
He missed the start of Operation Thursday in 1944, but was eventually flown out to join 16th Brigade, under command of the now Brigadier Bernard Fergusson, thereby being fortunate to miss marching into Burma for the second time. When the exhausted 16th Brigade was then evacuated by air, Bill, still fresh, had himself transferred to 3/9 Gurkha Rifles, part of 77th Brigade guarding Broadway. When Broadway was closed, 3/9 GR were then ordered to join 111th Brigade at their precarious Blackpool blocking position near Hopin, under the command of Jack Masters. Bill was involved in heavy fighting as the Blackpool position was inexorably worn down by heavily armed front-line Japanese troops. With the monsoon rains preventing air resupply, close air support and casualty evacuation, the position became untenable and was abandoned on the night of 25/26 May, with the Japanese in close pursuit. The most severely wounded, who would not have survived evacuation by stretcher anyway, were shot to avoid them falling alive into Japanese hands, with Bill himself having to shoot one horribly wounded man during the retreat. Bill always wondered how they managed to, but most of 111th Brigade did get away that awful night. Bill was subsequently awarded a Mention in Despatches for his heroic actions at Blackpool.
After being resupplied near Lake Indawgyi, Bill and his Gurkhas were involved in more heavy fighting around Point 2171 between Mokso Sakan and Mogaung. With Operation Thursday coming to an end, 111th Brigade were finally evacuated by air from Myitkyina on 30 July. After some well-deserved leave, Bill rejoined the Chindits, ostensibly as Assault Company Commander in Brig Mike Calvert’s 77th Brigade, but then the Chindits were disbanded in early 1945 and he joined 5/1 Gurkha Rifles on the Northwest Frontier until he was demobbed in late 1945.
Rest in peace, Bill. Our sincere condolences go to his wife, Diana, and their daughter, Eleanor.
Article written by Lt-Colonel Paul Corden, 77th Brigade. Please click on any image to bring it forward on the page.
The funeral service for Chindit veteran Bill Smyly, who died in May aged 95, took place at St Andrew’s Church, Kimbolton Road, Bedford on 25 June.
A guard of honour was formed by representatives of 77th Brigade, the Brigade of Gurkhas and the Royal British Legion, including ten RBL standard-bearers. The church was packed, with attendees including: Colonel Colin Mason OBE TD DL MPhil, the Vice Lord Lieutenant of Bedfordshire; a delegation from the Japanese Embassy in London, reflecting Bill’s efforts towards reconciliation; Major (Retd) Nigel Wylie Carrick MBE, representing the Sirmoor Rifles Association (Bill’s regiment was the 2nd King Edward VII's Own Gurkha Rifles (The Sirmoor Rifles)); and Geordie Fergusson, the son of Bernard Fergusson, who was Bill’s commander on both Chindit operations.
The Revd. James Reveley gave a wonderful tribute, covering Bill’s life from his birth in China in 1922, where his parents were missionary doctors, through his wartime service as a 2nd Gurkha Rifles officer with the Chindits (he took part in both Operation Longcloth and Operation Thursday), to his amazingly varied and well-travelled post-war life as a journalist, first in the UK and then in Hong Kong (driving out there overland in a Standard 8 car!), then as a teacher in Hong Kong (where he met his wife, Diana), then, after further study, working for the British Council in Thailand and Saudi Arabia, then a spell in the UK as Education Officer at Bedford Prison (until their daughter, Eleanor, finished school and went up to university), then another stint with the British Council in China, before finally returning to the UK and retiring – although he was anything but idle in his retirement, with his interests including music, art, drama and ballet. A committed Christian, he also devoted considerable time to the church. He was also a keen participant in the many Chindit veteran activities of recent years, including attending several events with 77th Brigade at Hermitage and at the Field of Remembrance and other ceremonies in London and elsewhere.
Bill’s Chindit service was extraordinary, even by Chindit standards. On Operation Longcloth in 1943 he was Animal Transport Officer in charge of the mules for No 5 Column, 77th Brigade, under the command of the then Major Bernard Fergusson. After a long march into Burma, crossing the Chindwin and Irrawaddy rivers along the way, they blew up bridges and railway lines on the Japanese supply routes until they were cornered by the Japanese Imperial Army in the Shweli “bag”. When they dispersed and tried to make their way back to India, Bill, suffering from beriberi, got separated from his comrades. Living off the land and helped by local Burmese villagers, Bill hobbled on on his own for three months, covering hundreds of miles to Fort Hertz, an intelligence post and airstrip in northern Burma, from where he was eventually flown back to India.
He missed the start of Operation Thursday in 1944, but was eventually flown out to join 16th Brigade, under command of the now Brigadier Bernard Fergusson, thereby being fortunate to miss marching into Burma for the second time. When the exhausted 16th Brigade was then evacuated by air, Bill, still fresh, had himself transferred to 3/9 Gurkha Rifles, part of 77th Brigade guarding Broadway. When Broadway was closed, 3/9 GR were then ordered to join 111th Brigade at their precarious Blackpool blocking position near Hopin, under the command of Jack Masters. Bill was involved in heavy fighting as the Blackpool position was inexorably worn down by heavily armed front-line Japanese troops. With the monsoon rains preventing air resupply, close air support and casualty evacuation, the position became untenable and was abandoned on the night of 25/26 May, with the Japanese in close pursuit. The most severely wounded, who would not have survived evacuation by stretcher anyway, were shot to avoid them falling alive into Japanese hands, with Bill himself having to shoot one horribly wounded man during the retreat. Bill always wondered how they managed to, but most of 111th Brigade did get away that awful night. Bill was subsequently awarded a Mention in Despatches for his heroic actions at Blackpool.
After being resupplied near Lake Indawgyi, Bill and his Gurkhas were involved in more heavy fighting around Point 2171 between Mokso Sakan and Mogaung. With Operation Thursday coming to an end, 111th Brigade were finally evacuated by air from Myitkyina on 30 July. After some well-deserved leave, Bill rejoined the Chindits, ostensibly as Assault Company Commander in Brig Mike Calvert’s 77th Brigade, but then the Chindits were disbanded in early 1945 and he joined 5/1 Gurkha Rifles on the Northwest Frontier until he was demobbed in late 1945.
Rest in peace, Bill. Our sincere condolences go to his wife, Diana, and their daughter, Eleanor.
Article written by Lt-Colonel Paul Corden, 77th Brigade. Please click on any image to bring it forward on the page.
The Chindit Society Wreath.
Remembering General Wingate and the Chindits at the crash site.
An article by Yumnam Rajeshwor Singh
Floral Tribute paid to the Guerrilla General.
A commemoration and wreath laying ceremony was performed at the plane crash site of General Orde Charles Wingate on 10th February 2018. The site is located near the village of Thuilon in the Tamenglong district of Manipur State, India. The crash site is around 2km from the south western perimeter of the village.The coordinates measured by my GPS were N 24*59’17”and E 93*23’27”. The elevation reads 740 meters above sea level.
The commemoration party included myself, Yumnam Rajeshwor Singh and my team, plus Mr. Micah Panmei, the village Chairman and the villagers. The Village Chairman laid the wreath at the side of the crash crater. I then conducted the ceremony program and started with the Kohima Epitaph:
When you go home tell them of us and say for your tomorrow we gave our today. In the going down of the sun and in the morning we will remember them; the congregation then repeated: we will remember them. Everybody observed a one minute silence, followed by a prayer of condolence offered up by the Village Pastor.
An article by Yumnam Rajeshwor Singh
Floral Tribute paid to the Guerrilla General.
A commemoration and wreath laying ceremony was performed at the plane crash site of General Orde Charles Wingate on 10th February 2018. The site is located near the village of Thuilon in the Tamenglong district of Manipur State, India. The crash site is around 2km from the south western perimeter of the village.The coordinates measured by my GPS were N 24*59’17”and E 93*23’27”. The elevation reads 740 meters above sea level.
The commemoration party included myself, Yumnam Rajeshwor Singh and my team, plus Mr. Micah Panmei, the village Chairman and the villagers. The Village Chairman laid the wreath at the side of the crash crater. I then conducted the ceremony program and started with the Kohima Epitaph:
When you go home tell them of us and say for your tomorrow we gave our today. In the going down of the sun and in the morning we will remember them; the congregation then repeated: we will remember them. Everybody observed a one minute silence, followed by a prayer of condolence offered up by the Village Pastor.
Commemoration at the Crash site, 10th February 2018.
The Journey to the Crash Site
On 9th February 2018, we began our journey from Imphal at 8.00am, heading for Thuilon in Tamenglong district. Mr. N. Rabi was our driver. Also present was journalist, Mr. Borun Thokchom and his two assistants, Mr. James Oinam and Mr. Suresh Kiran Singh Khundrakpam.
Mr. Akhangpou Goimei a young university researcher whom I had met few days earlier was also with us. His father was born in the village of Thuilon and many years ago the family had moved to the town of Tamenglong. Mr. Akhangpou Goimei had informed the village authorities at Thuilon about our visit. I decided to hire a Maruti Gypsy vehicle. The advantage of this SUV vehicle being that it had good ground clearance and its large tyres could easily afford the poor roads encountered on the journey.
We reached Noneh, a small town on the main highway at around 9.30am. We had a heavy brunch at Noneh and then at 10.15am we continued our journey. We took a short cut road to Tamenglong from the highway. The track was freshly cut and has yet to be metalled and pebbled. The road twisted and curved, but gave a good view of the hills and the jungle. We reached Tamenglong at 1.00pm and were welcomed by the relatives of Mr. Akhangpou who gave us all a plate of noodles and warm water. While eating our noodles we charged our phone and camera batteries. At Tamenglong we were joined by Mr. Kenedy Goimei, the elder brother of Akhangpou.
Mr. Kenedy had already liaised with the villagers and he had been to the village a few months previously and was familiar with the road to Thuilon village. From Tamenglong town we started for Thuilon at 2.30pm. After crossing the town area, the road deteriorates badly and the vehicle cannot go beyond a speed of 20km per hour. From the town the road immediately bends like a snake on steep downward gradient towards the Barak River. A new hanging bridge on the Barak River had recently been built, with the old broken bridge lying next to it in the river.
After crossing the river, we came to Namthiram village. The road here bends with lots of twists and turns and would not be motorable for any normal car. It was getting dark when we saw the village lights of Saramba up ahead. Here we lost our way for a short time, but after asking a villager for directions to Thuilon we were on the right track again. After driving slowly for another 30 minutes on the dusty track we reached the outskirts of the village area. On reaching the Church, many elders came out to greet us and we were relieved to know that we had reached Thuilon.
Before dinner, I explained the motive of our visit, about my research and the commemoration ceremony we wished to perform the following day. The village elders asked if they might participate in the commemoration. After dinner, I showed everyone a BBC documentary about the Chindits which I had downloaded from YouTube. The villagers watched with great enthusiasm. While everyone was watching the documentary on my laptop, I noticed a radial engine in the adjacent room. I was excited seeing this, but felt a deep sense of remorse, thinking that it might be from that ill-fated B 25 Mitchell Bomber.
We were given sleeping accommodation at the church office. We fell asleep very quickly that first night as we were all tired from the day’s arduous journey. When we woke up, it was already 6.00am. We got ready quickly and while we were having our tea the villagers came in one after another. For the next 30 minutes, I recorded interviews with some of the village elders, after we began our trek to the crash site.
On 9th February 2018, we began our journey from Imphal at 8.00am, heading for Thuilon in Tamenglong district. Mr. N. Rabi was our driver. Also present was journalist, Mr. Borun Thokchom and his two assistants, Mr. James Oinam and Mr. Suresh Kiran Singh Khundrakpam.
Mr. Akhangpou Goimei a young university researcher whom I had met few days earlier was also with us. His father was born in the village of Thuilon and many years ago the family had moved to the town of Tamenglong. Mr. Akhangpou Goimei had informed the village authorities at Thuilon about our visit. I decided to hire a Maruti Gypsy vehicle. The advantage of this SUV vehicle being that it had good ground clearance and its large tyres could easily afford the poor roads encountered on the journey.
We reached Noneh, a small town on the main highway at around 9.30am. We had a heavy brunch at Noneh and then at 10.15am we continued our journey. We took a short cut road to Tamenglong from the highway. The track was freshly cut and has yet to be metalled and pebbled. The road twisted and curved, but gave a good view of the hills and the jungle. We reached Tamenglong at 1.00pm and were welcomed by the relatives of Mr. Akhangpou who gave us all a plate of noodles and warm water. While eating our noodles we charged our phone and camera batteries. At Tamenglong we were joined by Mr. Kenedy Goimei, the elder brother of Akhangpou.
Mr. Kenedy had already liaised with the villagers and he had been to the village a few months previously and was familiar with the road to Thuilon village. From Tamenglong town we started for Thuilon at 2.30pm. After crossing the town area, the road deteriorates badly and the vehicle cannot go beyond a speed of 20km per hour. From the town the road immediately bends like a snake on steep downward gradient towards the Barak River. A new hanging bridge on the Barak River had recently been built, with the old broken bridge lying next to it in the river.
After crossing the river, we came to Namthiram village. The road here bends with lots of twists and turns and would not be motorable for any normal car. It was getting dark when we saw the village lights of Saramba up ahead. Here we lost our way for a short time, but after asking a villager for directions to Thuilon we were on the right track again. After driving slowly for another 30 minutes on the dusty track we reached the outskirts of the village area. On reaching the Church, many elders came out to greet us and we were relieved to know that we had reached Thuilon.
Before dinner, I explained the motive of our visit, about my research and the commemoration ceremony we wished to perform the following day. The village elders asked if they might participate in the commemoration. After dinner, I showed everyone a BBC documentary about the Chindits which I had downloaded from YouTube. The villagers watched with great enthusiasm. While everyone was watching the documentary on my laptop, I noticed a radial engine in the adjacent room. I was excited seeing this, but felt a deep sense of remorse, thinking that it might be from that ill-fated B 25 Mitchell Bomber.
We were given sleeping accommodation at the church office. We fell asleep very quickly that first night as we were all tired from the day’s arduous journey. When we woke up, it was already 6.00am. We got ready quickly and while we were having our tea the villagers came in one after another. For the next 30 minutes, I recorded interviews with some of the village elders, after we began our trek to the crash site.
The old broken bridge on the Barak River.
The Villagers account of the plane crash
On 24th March 1944, the Christian villagers of Thuilon village were having their evening prayer when they saw a ball of fire coming down from the sky. A plane had caught fire in the sky and was falling down on the western slopes of the mountain at Thuilon, some 2km from the village. Just after the crash, loud explosions were heard by the villagers. The pebbles and debris from the explosion reached the village houses. During the night there were several further explosions and the area was lit up with the fire from the crash.
The villagers explained, that next morning, on the 25th March 1944, a small plane landed adjacent to the crash site. From which there two pilots emerged. One had broken his leg on landing. The pilots told the villagers to collect up all the bodily remains from around the crash site. The villagers collected the bodies piece by piece and buried them in a temporary grave near the village. The villagers took the two pilots to their village and treated the injured pilot’s leg. Next day they were transported from the village by making a wooded palanquin.
The villagers of Thuilon took them to Npakang village; the Npakang villagers transported the two pilots to the next stage, which was Atengba village. The Atengba villagers took them to Chingkao village. The Chingkao villagers took them to Nungkao village. The Nungkao villagers took them to Oinamlon and from there a military vehicle picked them up and transported them back to Silchar.
Upon later research, it was discovered that the second plane was an L-5 Stinson and was piloted by Sergeant Lloyd Samp and co-piloted by Sergeant Bill Walters. It had been arranged by Colonel Cochran (1st Air Commando) to pick up the message pouch strung between two poles by Captain Barnes and his ground team who had been sent to investigate the crash site. The L-5 had lost power due to carburettor icing when flying at 5000ft. So the pilot decided to make a forced landing adjacent to the crash site.
Physical evidence:
Two engines were found at the crash site initially. One engine was taken by the 30th Assam Rifles from Thuilon village on 30th May 1989 and is now kept at the Assam Rifles office at Shillong. The other engine remained at the village church. This engine is broken into two pieces and the non-ferrous metals in the engine show signs of extreme heat exposure, whereas the engine with the Assam Rifles is in one piece and in good solid condition. It is highly likely that the engine kept at the village was damaged when the plane hit the ground.
The impact was so forceful that the iron body of the front landing gear was torn. It remains a possibility that the pilot of the B-25 decided to drop his landing gear before impact, in an attempt to land the plane. A crater measuring 15ft in diameter and 5ft deep is still visible at the crash site.
On 24th March 1944, the Christian villagers of Thuilon village were having their evening prayer when they saw a ball of fire coming down from the sky. A plane had caught fire in the sky and was falling down on the western slopes of the mountain at Thuilon, some 2km from the village. Just after the crash, loud explosions were heard by the villagers. The pebbles and debris from the explosion reached the village houses. During the night there were several further explosions and the area was lit up with the fire from the crash.
The villagers explained, that next morning, on the 25th March 1944, a small plane landed adjacent to the crash site. From which there two pilots emerged. One had broken his leg on landing. The pilots told the villagers to collect up all the bodily remains from around the crash site. The villagers collected the bodies piece by piece and buried them in a temporary grave near the village. The villagers took the two pilots to their village and treated the injured pilot’s leg. Next day they were transported from the village by making a wooded palanquin.
The villagers of Thuilon took them to Npakang village; the Npakang villagers transported the two pilots to the next stage, which was Atengba village. The Atengba villagers took them to Chingkao village. The Chingkao villagers took them to Nungkao village. The Nungkao villagers took them to Oinamlon and from there a military vehicle picked them up and transported them back to Silchar.
Upon later research, it was discovered that the second plane was an L-5 Stinson and was piloted by Sergeant Lloyd Samp and co-piloted by Sergeant Bill Walters. It had been arranged by Colonel Cochran (1st Air Commando) to pick up the message pouch strung between two poles by Captain Barnes and his ground team who had been sent to investigate the crash site. The L-5 had lost power due to carburettor icing when flying at 5000ft. So the pilot decided to make a forced landing adjacent to the crash site.
Physical evidence:
Two engines were found at the crash site initially. One engine was taken by the 30th Assam Rifles from Thuilon village on 30th May 1989 and is now kept at the Assam Rifles office at Shillong. The other engine remained at the village church. This engine is broken into two pieces and the non-ferrous metals in the engine show signs of extreme heat exposure, whereas the engine with the Assam Rifles is in one piece and in good solid condition. It is highly likely that the engine kept at the village was damaged when the plane hit the ground.
The impact was so forceful that the iron body of the front landing gear was torn. It remains a possibility that the pilot of the B-25 decided to drop his landing gear before impact, in an attempt to land the plane. A crater measuring 15ft in diameter and 5ft deep is still visible at the crash site.
The Radial Engine at Thuilon Village Church.
The Occupants of the B-25 Mitchell Bomber
The occupants of the ill-fated plane were:
In April 1947, some human remains from the crash site, weighing approximately three pounds were moved to a common grave within the British Military Cemetery at Imphal. On December 18th 1949, the grave was re-opened by the United States Army and the contents transferred to Manila in the Philipines pending final disposition. On November 10th 1950, all the remains collected were reinterred at Arlington National Cemetery, Virginia.
Future of the crash site:
The villagers of Thuilon have agreed and wish to commemorate the anniversary of General Charles Orde Wingate, on the 24th March each year. The road from Tamenglong to Thuilon is barely 40km, but due to the condition of the roads it can take over 4 hours to reach the village from Tamenglong HQ. There are promises, that in the near future the road from Tamenglong to Thuilon will be widened and a bitumen layer will be added. Once the road is developed, many tourists may be able to access the crash site. The villagers want a Wingate Memorial Park to be constructed at the crash location. The local elected member is trying to put this project together in conjunction with the Government.
The occupants of the ill-fated plane were:
- Major General Orde Charles Wingate, DSO.
- Captain George Henry Borrow, MC.
- Brian Floyd Hodges, 1st Lt. Air Corps.
- Stephen Albert Wanderer, 2nd Lt. Air Corps.
- Vernon A. McIninch, S. SGT. Air Corps.
- Frank Sadoski, T. SGT. Air Corps.
- James Walton Hickey, T. SGT. Air Corps.
- Stuart Emeny, War Correspondent, The News Chronicle.
- Stanley Wills, War Correspondent, The Daily Herald.
In April 1947, some human remains from the crash site, weighing approximately three pounds were moved to a common grave within the British Military Cemetery at Imphal. On December 18th 1949, the grave was re-opened by the United States Army and the contents transferred to Manila in the Philipines pending final disposition. On November 10th 1950, all the remains collected were reinterred at Arlington National Cemetery, Virginia.
Future of the crash site:
The villagers of Thuilon have agreed and wish to commemorate the anniversary of General Charles Orde Wingate, on the 24th March each year. The road from Tamenglong to Thuilon is barely 40km, but due to the condition of the roads it can take over 4 hours to reach the village from Tamenglong HQ. There are promises, that in the near future the road from Tamenglong to Thuilon will be widened and a bitumen layer will be added. Once the road is developed, many tourists may be able to access the crash site. The villagers want a Wingate Memorial Park to be constructed at the crash location. The local elected member is trying to put this project together in conjunction with the Government.
Seen below is a final gallery of images in relation to this article. Please click on any image to bring it forward on the page.
Field Of Remembrance 8th November 2018
As part of the series of special commemorative activities for the 75th Anniversary of Operation Longcloth, a small detachment from 77 Brigade had the honour and privilege of supporting three Chindit veterans, along with some family members, at this year’s Field of Remembrance ceremony at Westminster Abbey.
The veterans were:
John Hutchin, 1st Bn South Staffs
Peter Heppell, RE, attached 1st King’s (Liverpool)
Robert Caruana, RAF Ground-Air Liaison
For some reason, Robert Caruana was not issued with his medals during his wartime service, and he had never got round to chasing them up since. The Chindit Society therefore sourced a set, which were pinned onto his chest in a short ceremony at the Abbey, and he wore them with pride not only for the rest of that day, but also on Remembrance Sunday.
Prince Harry opened the Field of Remembrance at 1100 hours in a short but moving ceremony. He then went round the Field of Remembrance to pay his respects and meet the selected representatives standing in front of each plot, this included shaking hands with Peter Heppell.
We then moved to the Chindit Memorial on the Victoria Embankment and laid a Chindit Society wreath during a short Act of Remembrance there. We then went into the MOD to have a reviving hot lunch in the cafeteria, kindly helped by Beryl MacMaster, Assistant Private Secretary to Mark Lancaster MP.
We then moved to Downing Street, where we were due for a photo opportunity at the front door of No.10. Coincidentally, the PC on duty outside that day, Giles Dainty, turned out to be the grandson of a Chindit. By very good fortune we were offered a short tour inside the entrance hall by a staff member, who explained several interesting historical details in relation to some of the furniture: which included the old night-watchman’s chair with a drawer for hot coals, the Duke of Wellington’s travelling cabinet and Winston Churchill’s reading chair to name but a few.
Our thanks must go to those who helped make this day happen. In particular, to Major Wendy Faux for capturing so many special moments with her camera. WO2 Kevin Carter for driving us there and back. Beryl MacMaster for arranging parking at the MOD and organising lunch and last but not least, the 77 Bde personnel who were outstanding in making this such as special day for our veterans and their families.
Article written by Paul Corden, 77 Brigade. Seen below is a gallery of images in relation to the Field of Remembrance and Downing Street events, please click on any image to bring it forward on the page.
As part of the series of special commemorative activities for the 75th Anniversary of Operation Longcloth, a small detachment from 77 Brigade had the honour and privilege of supporting three Chindit veterans, along with some family members, at this year’s Field of Remembrance ceremony at Westminster Abbey.
The veterans were:
John Hutchin, 1st Bn South Staffs
Peter Heppell, RE, attached 1st King’s (Liverpool)
Robert Caruana, RAF Ground-Air Liaison
For some reason, Robert Caruana was not issued with his medals during his wartime service, and he had never got round to chasing them up since. The Chindit Society therefore sourced a set, which were pinned onto his chest in a short ceremony at the Abbey, and he wore them with pride not only for the rest of that day, but also on Remembrance Sunday.
Prince Harry opened the Field of Remembrance at 1100 hours in a short but moving ceremony. He then went round the Field of Remembrance to pay his respects and meet the selected representatives standing in front of each plot, this included shaking hands with Peter Heppell.
We then moved to the Chindit Memorial on the Victoria Embankment and laid a Chindit Society wreath during a short Act of Remembrance there. We then went into the MOD to have a reviving hot lunch in the cafeteria, kindly helped by Beryl MacMaster, Assistant Private Secretary to Mark Lancaster MP.
We then moved to Downing Street, where we were due for a photo opportunity at the front door of No.10. Coincidentally, the PC on duty outside that day, Giles Dainty, turned out to be the grandson of a Chindit. By very good fortune we were offered a short tour inside the entrance hall by a staff member, who explained several interesting historical details in relation to some of the furniture: which included the old night-watchman’s chair with a drawer for hot coals, the Duke of Wellington’s travelling cabinet and Winston Churchill’s reading chair to name but a few.
Our thanks must go to those who helped make this day happen. In particular, to Major Wendy Faux for capturing so many special moments with her camera. WO2 Kevin Carter for driving us there and back. Beryl MacMaster for arranging parking at the MOD and organising lunch and last but not least, the 77 Bde personnel who were outstanding in making this such as special day for our veterans and their families.
Article written by Paul Corden, 77 Brigade. Seen below is a gallery of images in relation to the Field of Remembrance and Downing Street events, please click on any image to bring it forward on the page.
The Cenotaph Parade Sunday 11th November 2018
Well, what a day we had on Remembrance Sunday. The weather held out for the veterans and eleven Chindits took part in the Cenotaph march past as planned. The lead group of veterans insisted on getting up from their wheelchairs and marching unaided as they passed over their wreath to the collection staff. We were in line just in front of a Dutch contingent of WW2 veterans and had great banter with these gentlemen and one lady.
Some medicinal liquid refreshment was passed around just before we lined up to begin marching, which kept spirits high and legs warm. In the end and against the orders of the organising marshals, we went for a 4 3 3 4 formation, with myself and Sally Lockhart acting as rearguard in case of the unforeseen. After the march the Chindits and others gathered at our own Chindit Memorial for a short service of Remembrance, before the party enjoyed lunch at New Scotland Yard as guests of the Metropolitan Police.
Our Chindit veterans were:
Colonel Charles Mercer. 7th Nigeria Regt. 35 Column.
Douglas Blackwell. Royal Signals, attached Brigade HQ.
Lester Hudson. 1st Bn South Staffs. 80 Column.
Albie Gibson. 1st Bn South Staffs.
John Hutchin. 1st Bn South Staffs. 80 Column.
Jim Clark. 1st King’s (Liverpool). 81 Column.
Sid Machin. 1st King’s (Liverpool). 81 Column.
Peter Heppell. Royal Engineers, attached 1st King’s (Liverpool).
Squadron Leader Robbie Robertson. RAF, attached 2nd Queen’s Regt.
Flt. Lieutenant Robert Caruana. RAF Liaison.
Thomas Parker. 1st Cameronians. 61 Column.
A beautiful, poignant and very proud day for us all, as you can see from the gallery of photographs below. Please click on any image to bring it forward on the page.
Well, what a day we had on Remembrance Sunday. The weather held out for the veterans and eleven Chindits took part in the Cenotaph march past as planned. The lead group of veterans insisted on getting up from their wheelchairs and marching unaided as they passed over their wreath to the collection staff. We were in line just in front of a Dutch contingent of WW2 veterans and had great banter with these gentlemen and one lady.
Some medicinal liquid refreshment was passed around just before we lined up to begin marching, which kept spirits high and legs warm. In the end and against the orders of the organising marshals, we went for a 4 3 3 4 formation, with myself and Sally Lockhart acting as rearguard in case of the unforeseen. After the march the Chindits and others gathered at our own Chindit Memorial for a short service of Remembrance, before the party enjoyed lunch at New Scotland Yard as guests of the Metropolitan Police.
Our Chindit veterans were:
Colonel Charles Mercer. 7th Nigeria Regt. 35 Column.
Douglas Blackwell. Royal Signals, attached Brigade HQ.
Lester Hudson. 1st Bn South Staffs. 80 Column.
Albie Gibson. 1st Bn South Staffs.
John Hutchin. 1st Bn South Staffs. 80 Column.
Jim Clark. 1st King’s (Liverpool). 81 Column.
Sid Machin. 1st King’s (Liverpool). 81 Column.
Peter Heppell. Royal Engineers, attached 1st King’s (Liverpool).
Squadron Leader Robbie Robertson. RAF, attached 2nd Queen’s Regt.
Flt. Lieutenant Robert Caruana. RAF Liaison.
Thomas Parker. 1st Cameronians. 61 Column.
A beautiful, poignant and very proud day for us all, as you can see from the gallery of photographs below. Please click on any image to bring it forward on the page.
75th Anniversary of Operation Thursday (Glider Assault), 3rd March 2019
The 3rd March 2019 was a wet and blustery day. The Chindit Society membership and other guests gathered in the drizzle to commemorate the 75th Anniversary of Operation Thursday and in particular, the glider fly-in to Burma by 77th Brigade on March 5th 1944. Against the noise of London’s Embankment, which included the passing overhead of several helicopters, a gathering of some 120 had congregated to listen to the service of remembrance and to pay their own private and personal respects to the brave men who took part on the second Wingate expedition in 1944.
The Chindit Society committee wish to thank all those families who attended and also the many personnel from present day 77 Brigade, whose previous regiments had mirrored those of each Chindit battalion present in Burma during 1944. The Society would also like to thank Brigadier V.M.B. Krishnan, the Military Adviser to the Indian High Commission and Myanmar Ambassador to London, U Kyaw War Minn for their gracious attendance.
Chindit veterans, Peter Heppell and Jim Clark took up the honour of reading the Kohima Epitaph and Exhortation respectively, with other readings and contributions from the various committee members. After the service the congregation retired a matter of yards, to enjoy some light refreshments and enjoyable conversation at the New Scotland Yard building opposite the Chindit Memorial. This short gathering was the first in a series of events during 2019, which will celebrate and remember the men who took part in the second Wingate expedition of 1944.
Seen below is a gallery of photographs taken on the 3rd March 2019. Please click on any image to bring it forward on the page.
The 3rd March 2019 was a wet and blustery day. The Chindit Society membership and other guests gathered in the drizzle to commemorate the 75th Anniversary of Operation Thursday and in particular, the glider fly-in to Burma by 77th Brigade on March 5th 1944. Against the noise of London’s Embankment, which included the passing overhead of several helicopters, a gathering of some 120 had congregated to listen to the service of remembrance and to pay their own private and personal respects to the brave men who took part on the second Wingate expedition in 1944.
The Chindit Society committee wish to thank all those families who attended and also the many personnel from present day 77 Brigade, whose previous regiments had mirrored those of each Chindit battalion present in Burma during 1944. The Society would also like to thank Brigadier V.M.B. Krishnan, the Military Adviser to the Indian High Commission and Myanmar Ambassador to London, U Kyaw War Minn for their gracious attendance.
Chindit veterans, Peter Heppell and Jim Clark took up the honour of reading the Kohima Epitaph and Exhortation respectively, with other readings and contributions from the various committee members. After the service the congregation retired a matter of yards, to enjoy some light refreshments and enjoyable conversation at the New Scotland Yard building opposite the Chindit Memorial. This short gathering was the first in a series of events during 2019, which will celebrate and remember the men who took part in the second Wingate expedition of 1944.
Seen below is a gallery of photographs taken on the 3rd March 2019. Please click on any image to bring it forward on the page.
75th Anniversary of Operation Thursday, Main Event (21-23rd June 2019).
A number of 77 Brigade personnel, supported by various Hermitage Station staff, facilitated this year's Chindit Annual Reunion at the Denison Barracks over the weekend 21-23 June 2019, in support of the Chindit Society. This was the largest event this year in a series of special activities to commemorate the 75th Anniversary of Operation Thursday, the second and largest operation conducted by the Chindits in 1944.
In all there were around a hundred members of the Chindit Society, a party of Police Cadets (developing our links with New Scotland Yard), and a few additional guests, including the Commanding Officer and Chief Master Sergeant of the 352nd Special Operations Wing at RAF Mildenhall (the descendants of the 1st Air Commando, who supported the Chindits on Operation Thursday).
Most importantly, seven Chindit veterans attended Peter Heppell, RE; Sid Machin, King's (Liverpool); Jim Clark, King's (Liverpool); John Hutchin, South Staffords; Alby Gibson, South Staffords; Horace Howkins, South Staffords; and Robbie Robertson, RAF Liaison, as well as John Giddings MBE, RAF, the Burma Star Association Chairman. Aged between 95 and 99, they were the stars of the weekend and seemed to thoroughly enjoy the whole event, which included:
FRIDAY 21 JUNE
Informal dinner in the Officers' Mess for early arrivals Chindit Society Committee Meeting.
SATURDAY 22 JUNE
Breakfast
Artefact and Documentation Stands in and around the WOs and Sgts' Mess.
Chindit Weapons and Equipment (W02 (QMSI) Paul Quilliam).
Chindit Mules (the Marshall family and Bill Smith).
Chindit Memorabilia (provided by Chindit families)
Chindit Society Merchandise.
Today's 77th Brigade: Brigade Operations Centre (Captain Angus McClement).
Information Activities Group (W02 (AQMS) Jimmy Murphy and Sgt. Stuart Grundy).
Task Group (SSgt. Jamie Brown and Sgt. Stuart Fiddler).
Outreach Group (W01(RSM) Andy Howgate and W02 (QMSI) Kevin Hampson).
Buffet Lunch.
Presentation: Today's 77th Brigade and its Chindit Heritage (Major Paul Corden).
Battle of Britain Memorial Flight Spitfire fly-past.
Presentation: Operation Thursday (Tony Redding, author of War in the Wilderness).
Service of Thanksgiving, Remembrance and Re-commitment - Officers' Mess Garden, supported by the Waterloo Band of the 7th RIFLES.
Chindit Reunion Dinner - Officers' Mess Dining Room and Ante Room, supported by the Waterloo Band of 7th RIFLES.
SUNDAY 23 JUNE
Breakfast in the WO's and Sgts. Mess, followed by the Veterans' Forum.
Chindit veterans Q&A session.
Curry Lunch with WW2 songs/music provided by the Champagne at the Blitz singers.
The Chindit veterans and their families/supporters, the Chindit Society Committee members and the other guests have expressed their thanks for a wonderful and memorable event. They were particularly impressed by, and grateful for, the warm and welcoming way they were hosted by everyone at Denison Barracks throughout the weekend, and huge thanks must go to those from 77 Brigade who helped make it all happen.
Seen below are two galleries of photographs from the June weekend, which hopefully depict what a wonderful event it really was. Please click on any image to bring it forward on the page.
A number of 77 Brigade personnel, supported by various Hermitage Station staff, facilitated this year's Chindit Annual Reunion at the Denison Barracks over the weekend 21-23 June 2019, in support of the Chindit Society. This was the largest event this year in a series of special activities to commemorate the 75th Anniversary of Operation Thursday, the second and largest operation conducted by the Chindits in 1944.
In all there were around a hundred members of the Chindit Society, a party of Police Cadets (developing our links with New Scotland Yard), and a few additional guests, including the Commanding Officer and Chief Master Sergeant of the 352nd Special Operations Wing at RAF Mildenhall (the descendants of the 1st Air Commando, who supported the Chindits on Operation Thursday).
Most importantly, seven Chindit veterans attended Peter Heppell, RE; Sid Machin, King's (Liverpool); Jim Clark, King's (Liverpool); John Hutchin, South Staffords; Alby Gibson, South Staffords; Horace Howkins, South Staffords; and Robbie Robertson, RAF Liaison, as well as John Giddings MBE, RAF, the Burma Star Association Chairman. Aged between 95 and 99, they were the stars of the weekend and seemed to thoroughly enjoy the whole event, which included:
FRIDAY 21 JUNE
Informal dinner in the Officers' Mess for early arrivals Chindit Society Committee Meeting.
SATURDAY 22 JUNE
Breakfast
Artefact and Documentation Stands in and around the WOs and Sgts' Mess.
Chindit Weapons and Equipment (W02 (QMSI) Paul Quilliam).
Chindit Mules (the Marshall family and Bill Smith).
Chindit Memorabilia (provided by Chindit families)
Chindit Society Merchandise.
Today's 77th Brigade: Brigade Operations Centre (Captain Angus McClement).
Information Activities Group (W02 (AQMS) Jimmy Murphy and Sgt. Stuart Grundy).
Task Group (SSgt. Jamie Brown and Sgt. Stuart Fiddler).
Outreach Group (W01(RSM) Andy Howgate and W02 (QMSI) Kevin Hampson).
Buffet Lunch.
Presentation: Today's 77th Brigade and its Chindit Heritage (Major Paul Corden).
Battle of Britain Memorial Flight Spitfire fly-past.
Presentation: Operation Thursday (Tony Redding, author of War in the Wilderness).
Service of Thanksgiving, Remembrance and Re-commitment - Officers' Mess Garden, supported by the Waterloo Band of the 7th RIFLES.
Chindit Reunion Dinner - Officers' Mess Dining Room and Ante Room, supported by the Waterloo Band of 7th RIFLES.
SUNDAY 23 JUNE
Breakfast in the WO's and Sgts. Mess, followed by the Veterans' Forum.
Chindit veterans Q&A session.
Curry Lunch with WW2 songs/music provided by the Champagne at the Blitz singers.
The Chindit veterans and their families/supporters, the Chindit Society Committee members and the other guests have expressed their thanks for a wonderful and memorable event. They were particularly impressed by, and grateful for, the warm and welcoming way they were hosted by everyone at Denison Barracks throughout the weekend, and huge thanks must go to those from 77 Brigade who helped make it all happen.
Seen below are two galleries of photographs from the June weekend, which hopefully depict what a wonderful event it really was. Please click on any image to bring it forward on the page.
Chindit Connections at Manchester City FC
Members of the Society of a certain age will recall the Manchester City winger, Mike Summerbee from watching Match of the Day during the 1960’s and 1970’s. At last year’s Remembrance Day commemorations, Mike had the honour of escorting Chindit, Ian Niven MBE during the Cenotaph march-past and before that, the morning visit to No. 10 Downing Street, where Ian gave some valuable pre-election advice to our Prime Minister.
Mike (seen below), who began his Sky Blue’s career in 1965, has known Ian Niven for over 50 years through the former Chindit’s strong involvement with the football club over many decades. In City’s last home game before Remembrance Sunday, Mike wrote a short article about Ian in the match-day program:
Next month I will be travelling to the Cenotaph with former City Director, Ian Niven. Ian was a war hero and part ofthe Chindits, known officially as the Long Range Penetration Group or Special Force that saw action in 1944 as part of the Burma campaign of WW2. They embarked on treacherous missions over extremely difficult terrain, often short of rations and water and affected by disease such as malaria and dysentery. This year (2019) marks the 75th Anniversary of Operation Thursday in which Ian took part. I would like everyone to think for a moment about the contribution and sacrifices the Chindits made during WW2 and, if you have the chance, to thank them for their services to our country.
On the same match day and in pouring rain, Mike and Ian took part in a short ceremony of Remembrance. Ian was asked to say a few words about his Chindit service and Mike, who played eight times for England, laid a wreath at pitch side. A few weeks later, both gentlemen’s commitment to Manchester City was evident again, when they speedily peeled away from the Cenotaph parade to a strategically placed limousine and dashed up to Anfield for the vital Premiership clash between Liverpool and the Sky Blues. Sadly, City were well beaten on the day.
Seen below is a selection of photographs in relation to this short article. Please click on any image to bring on forward on the page.
Members of the Society of a certain age will recall the Manchester City winger, Mike Summerbee from watching Match of the Day during the 1960’s and 1970’s. At last year’s Remembrance Day commemorations, Mike had the honour of escorting Chindit, Ian Niven MBE during the Cenotaph march-past and before that, the morning visit to No. 10 Downing Street, where Ian gave some valuable pre-election advice to our Prime Minister.
Mike (seen below), who began his Sky Blue’s career in 1965, has known Ian Niven for over 50 years through the former Chindit’s strong involvement with the football club over many decades. In City’s last home game before Remembrance Sunday, Mike wrote a short article about Ian in the match-day program:
Next month I will be travelling to the Cenotaph with former City Director, Ian Niven. Ian was a war hero and part ofthe Chindits, known officially as the Long Range Penetration Group or Special Force that saw action in 1944 as part of the Burma campaign of WW2. They embarked on treacherous missions over extremely difficult terrain, often short of rations and water and affected by disease such as malaria and dysentery. This year (2019) marks the 75th Anniversary of Operation Thursday in which Ian took part. I would like everyone to think for a moment about the contribution and sacrifices the Chindits made during WW2 and, if you have the chance, to thank them for their services to our country.
On the same match day and in pouring rain, Mike and Ian took part in a short ceremony of Remembrance. Ian was asked to say a few words about his Chindit service and Mike, who played eight times for England, laid a wreath at pitch side. A few weeks later, both gentlemen’s commitment to Manchester City was evident again, when they speedily peeled away from the Cenotaph parade to a strategically placed limousine and dashed up to Anfield for the vital Premiership clash between Liverpool and the Sky Blues. Sadly, City were well beaten on the day.
Seen below is a selection of photographs in relation to this short article. Please click on any image to bring on forward on the page.
The Festival of Remembrance 2019
The heartfelt thoughts of Sally Lockhart, the daughter of Chindit Peter Heppell:
Remembrance Sunday has always been observed in our household and we have always watched the Festival of Remembrance on television. For the last 20 plus years my Chindit father has joined the march past at the Cenotaph on Whitehall and, despite his 99 and a half years, he did it again last year. Tradition continued and, as always, his immediate family was there in person to support him and his wider family and many friends were watching on television.
The difference this year was an invitation to participate in the Festival of Remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall, on the night before the Cenotaph Service. You shouldn't have to wait until your late nineties to be recognised for your service to your country, but five of our wonderful Chindit veterans finally stepped into the limelight that night. Maybe you had to be there to experience what a limelight it was. 44 veterans from the WW2 campaigns of 1944 stood on the floor of the Albert Hall - that stupendous edifice that has hosted everybody from Frank Sinatra to Nicola Adams, from Paul McCartney to Madam Butterfly and each veteran was accompanied by a young man or woman from today's Armed services. They stood straight, they stood still, they stood proudly and the audience stood and they clapped, and they clapped louder and longer; those sitting in the Royal Box and the other VIP seats stood, and clapped; and they went on clapping and clapping.
The orchestra came to the end of the music and still 5,500 people continued to applaud. Those 44 men were treated like Royalty, like stars, like war heroes. Our Chindits were stunned - for 75 years they have been part of the Forgotten Army and suddenly, without warning, they were admired, respected, thanked and acknowledged by millions of people around the world. These men are not known for showing their emotion but, as they returned to the dressing room, there were tears in their eyes; it was truly overwhelming for them, and for all of us watching. Well done to all of you; you made us very proud that night, as we are proud of you every day.
Seen below is a gallery of images from the 2019 event at the Royal Albert Hall. Please click on any image to bring it forward on the page.
The heartfelt thoughts of Sally Lockhart, the daughter of Chindit Peter Heppell:
Remembrance Sunday has always been observed in our household and we have always watched the Festival of Remembrance on television. For the last 20 plus years my Chindit father has joined the march past at the Cenotaph on Whitehall and, despite his 99 and a half years, he did it again last year. Tradition continued and, as always, his immediate family was there in person to support him and his wider family and many friends were watching on television.
The difference this year was an invitation to participate in the Festival of Remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall, on the night before the Cenotaph Service. You shouldn't have to wait until your late nineties to be recognised for your service to your country, but five of our wonderful Chindit veterans finally stepped into the limelight that night. Maybe you had to be there to experience what a limelight it was. 44 veterans from the WW2 campaigns of 1944 stood on the floor of the Albert Hall - that stupendous edifice that has hosted everybody from Frank Sinatra to Nicola Adams, from Paul McCartney to Madam Butterfly and each veteran was accompanied by a young man or woman from today's Armed services. They stood straight, they stood still, they stood proudly and the audience stood and they clapped, and they clapped louder and longer; those sitting in the Royal Box and the other VIP seats stood, and clapped; and they went on clapping and clapping.
The orchestra came to the end of the music and still 5,500 people continued to applaud. Those 44 men were treated like Royalty, like stars, like war heroes. Our Chindits were stunned - for 75 years they have been part of the Forgotten Army and suddenly, without warning, they were admired, respected, thanked and acknowledged by millions of people around the world. These men are not known for showing their emotion but, as they returned to the dressing room, there were tears in their eyes; it was truly overwhelming for them, and for all of us watching. Well done to all of you; you made us very proud that night, as we are proud of you every day.
Seen below is a gallery of images from the 2019 event at the Royal Albert Hall. Please click on any image to bring it forward on the page.
Breakfast with Boris
As the rest of the Cenotaph marchers were gathering at Horseguards in preparation for the Remembrance Day parade 2019, our eight Chindit veterans were whisked away to No. 10 Downing Street for a meeting with the Prime Minister, Boris Johnson.
Whilst enjoying the cordial surroundings and welcome bacon butties, the politically minded amongst the Chindits advised the Prime Minister on how to win the forthcoming general election and in particular those tricky constituencies in the North of the country and West Midlands. Hindsight is of course a wonderful thing, but it does seem that this advice got through and with the desired outcome.
The Chindit Society would like to take this opportunity to thank the Prime Minister and all involved at No. 10 for making our veterans so very welcome on such a poignant and important day. Seen below are some photographs taken that morning, please click on any image to bring it forward on the page.
As the rest of the Cenotaph marchers were gathering at Horseguards in preparation for the Remembrance Day parade 2019, our eight Chindit veterans were whisked away to No. 10 Downing Street for a meeting with the Prime Minister, Boris Johnson.
Whilst enjoying the cordial surroundings and welcome bacon butties, the politically minded amongst the Chindits advised the Prime Minister on how to win the forthcoming general election and in particular those tricky constituencies in the North of the country and West Midlands. Hindsight is of course a wonderful thing, but it does seem that this advice got through and with the desired outcome.
The Chindit Society would like to take this opportunity to thank the Prime Minister and all involved at No. 10 for making our veterans so very welcome on such a poignant and important day. Seen below are some photographs taken that morning, please click on any image to bring it forward on the page.
Cenotaph March Past, 10th November 2019
This year’s Cenotaph Parade started with a short-notice, unexpected bonus: the eight participating Chindit veterans, with their wheelchair pushers, were invited to 10 Downing Street for a reception with the PM – breakfast with Boris! Travel plans were hastily rearranged, with an extra early start now required (0300 for Ian Niven and Mike Summerbee, coming from Manchester!), but everyone made it to the RV at Canada House, and we all trooped round to Horseguards Parade, where the lucky sixteen went into No.10 by the rear entrance.
While the remainder made do with bacon rolls and coffee from the burger vans on Horseguards, our Chindits and their escorts, led by Paul Shenton, enjoyed much smarter bacon sandwiches and croissants with the PM and Carrie Symonds, who chatted warmly and at length with everyone. Of particular note, Boris promised that, should he win the forthcoming General Election, he would ensure that VJ Day would also be celebrated in style as well as VE Day. The breakfast party rejoined us in time to form up on Whitehall in the glorious sunshine we were blessed with – indeed, our Chindits found their bush hats quite useful for keeping the sun out of their eyes! They also made our veterans highly visible, and the other veterans formed up on Whitehall gave them a rousing ovation as we passed, and this was carried on by the thousands of spectators lining the route. Also of note, Alice Wingate-Pearce was wearing a replica set of her grandfather’s medals, to make her first march-past even more special.
Once again, just before we reached the Cenotaph on the march-past, Peter Heppell, John Hutchin and Sid Machin got out of their wheelchairs and proudly marched unaided past it. Amazingly, Peter and Sid managed to march the whole way round and back to Horseguards, where John again stood up and marched for the “eyes right” to HRH The Duke of York, who was greeting the returning marchers. Amongst all this, an extra organisational challenge that day was the requirement for Ian Niven (Manchester City Life President) and Mike Summerbee (ex-player and Club Ambassador) to leave the parade early and get up to Anfield to watch the Liverpool v Manchester City match starting at 1630. They cut away just after the Cenotaph, with Met Police Inspector John Fleming parting the barriers and crowd to enable them to get through and into their waiting getaway car. Miraculously, it all went to plan, and they took their seats in the Directors’ Box at Anfield just as the players came onto the pitch – we just won’t mention the result!
After the march-past we made our way to the Chindit Memorial, where we were joined by a throng of family members and other supporters, including Brigadier Dan Reeve MC, Commander 77th Brigade, and some Met Police and Police Cadets, for our additional Act of Remembrance. Everyone then adjourned to the top floor of New Scotland Yard for a delicious buffet lunch and some much-deserved refreshments. All in all, what a magnificent way to round off our series of events to commemorate the 75th Anniversary of Operation Thursday! The Chindits who marched were: Horace Howkins, Alby Gibson, John Hutchin, Jim Clark, Charles Mercer, Sid Machin, Peter Heppell and Ian Niven.
Seen below is a gallery of images in relation to this article (written by Paul Corden from 77 Brigade), please click on any image to bring it forward on the page.
This year’s Cenotaph Parade started with a short-notice, unexpected bonus: the eight participating Chindit veterans, with their wheelchair pushers, were invited to 10 Downing Street for a reception with the PM – breakfast with Boris! Travel plans were hastily rearranged, with an extra early start now required (0300 for Ian Niven and Mike Summerbee, coming from Manchester!), but everyone made it to the RV at Canada House, and we all trooped round to Horseguards Parade, where the lucky sixteen went into No.10 by the rear entrance.
While the remainder made do with bacon rolls and coffee from the burger vans on Horseguards, our Chindits and their escorts, led by Paul Shenton, enjoyed much smarter bacon sandwiches and croissants with the PM and Carrie Symonds, who chatted warmly and at length with everyone. Of particular note, Boris promised that, should he win the forthcoming General Election, he would ensure that VJ Day would also be celebrated in style as well as VE Day. The breakfast party rejoined us in time to form up on Whitehall in the glorious sunshine we were blessed with – indeed, our Chindits found their bush hats quite useful for keeping the sun out of their eyes! They also made our veterans highly visible, and the other veterans formed up on Whitehall gave them a rousing ovation as we passed, and this was carried on by the thousands of spectators lining the route. Also of note, Alice Wingate-Pearce was wearing a replica set of her grandfather’s medals, to make her first march-past even more special.
Once again, just before we reached the Cenotaph on the march-past, Peter Heppell, John Hutchin and Sid Machin got out of their wheelchairs and proudly marched unaided past it. Amazingly, Peter and Sid managed to march the whole way round and back to Horseguards, where John again stood up and marched for the “eyes right” to HRH The Duke of York, who was greeting the returning marchers. Amongst all this, an extra organisational challenge that day was the requirement for Ian Niven (Manchester City Life President) and Mike Summerbee (ex-player and Club Ambassador) to leave the parade early and get up to Anfield to watch the Liverpool v Manchester City match starting at 1630. They cut away just after the Cenotaph, with Met Police Inspector John Fleming parting the barriers and crowd to enable them to get through and into their waiting getaway car. Miraculously, it all went to plan, and they took their seats in the Directors’ Box at Anfield just as the players came onto the pitch – we just won’t mention the result!
After the march-past we made our way to the Chindit Memorial, where we were joined by a throng of family members and other supporters, including Brigadier Dan Reeve MC, Commander 77th Brigade, and some Met Police and Police Cadets, for our additional Act of Remembrance. Everyone then adjourned to the top floor of New Scotland Yard for a delicious buffet lunch and some much-deserved refreshments. All in all, what a magnificent way to round off our series of events to commemorate the 75th Anniversary of Operation Thursday! The Chindits who marched were: Horace Howkins, Alby Gibson, John Hutchin, Jim Clark, Charles Mercer, Sid Machin, Peter Heppell and Ian Niven.
Seen below is a gallery of images in relation to this article (written by Paul Corden from 77 Brigade), please click on any image to bring it forward on the page.
Chindit Peter Heppell’s 100th Birthday
With the world of change looming upon us all, Thursday 5th March 2020 was well placed to commemorate Operation Thursday that commenced on the same day back in 1944. The Warrant Officers & Sergeants Mess had invited ten Chindit veterans to the dinner, but sadly because of ill health we welcomed just three: John Hutchin, Sid Machin and Peter Heppell.
Peter Heppell and his family kindly agreed to help us celebrate his 100th birthday on this same day, the day he flew into Burma on his birthday so many years ago. As you would expect the focus was on Peter along with the other members of his family that were also invited, after all it was a family occasion. We were also so pleased to receive Miss Joanna Lumley to dine with us. Her father Major James Rutherford Lumley was also a Chindit, being an officer in the 3/6 Gurkha Rifles that fought with 77 Brigade right through to the battle of Mogaung. This famous Regiment is today called the 1st Royal Gurkha Rifles and we were honoured to receive Sergeant Major WO2 (CSM) Govinda Gurung and Platoon Sergeant Dipendra Rana along with a Piper and Bugler for the evening.
With all the members of the Chindit Society, veterans and their loved ones along with the Mess Members in place, the evening commenced with a series of presentations interspersed with the food courses as we went. The 7th Rifles Waterloo Band provided the musical entertainment for the evening that went with a swing, as you would expect. To top it all we then presented Peter with his birthday cake along with a rendition of Happy Birthday. A small gift to remember the evening was presented to both Peter and Joanna Lumley from the Mess, however this was not the end of the evening, oh no, our veterans stole the show with Joanna, who so very kindly spent time in conversation with them all as time just rushed us by.
Seen below is a gallery of images in relation to this short article (written by WO2 Kevin Carter from 77 Brigade), please click on any image to bring it forward on the page.
With the world of change looming upon us all, Thursday 5th March 2020 was well placed to commemorate Operation Thursday that commenced on the same day back in 1944. The Warrant Officers & Sergeants Mess had invited ten Chindit veterans to the dinner, but sadly because of ill health we welcomed just three: John Hutchin, Sid Machin and Peter Heppell.
Peter Heppell and his family kindly agreed to help us celebrate his 100th birthday on this same day, the day he flew into Burma on his birthday so many years ago. As you would expect the focus was on Peter along with the other members of his family that were also invited, after all it was a family occasion. We were also so pleased to receive Miss Joanna Lumley to dine with us. Her father Major James Rutherford Lumley was also a Chindit, being an officer in the 3/6 Gurkha Rifles that fought with 77 Brigade right through to the battle of Mogaung. This famous Regiment is today called the 1st Royal Gurkha Rifles and we were honoured to receive Sergeant Major WO2 (CSM) Govinda Gurung and Platoon Sergeant Dipendra Rana along with a Piper and Bugler for the evening.
With all the members of the Chindit Society, veterans and their loved ones along with the Mess Members in place, the evening commenced with a series of presentations interspersed with the food courses as we went. The 7th Rifles Waterloo Band provided the musical entertainment for the evening that went with a swing, as you would expect. To top it all we then presented Peter with his birthday cake along with a rendition of Happy Birthday. A small gift to remember the evening was presented to both Peter and Joanna Lumley from the Mess, however this was not the end of the evening, oh no, our veterans stole the show with Joanna, who so very kindly spent time in conversation with them all as time just rushed us by.
Seen below is a gallery of images in relation to this short article (written by WO2 Kevin Carter from 77 Brigade), please click on any image to bring it forward on the page.
John Riggs’ 100th Birthday
On the 1st March this year (2020), Chindit John Riggs celebrated his 100th birthday at his Royal British Legion care facility, Appleton Lodge. John’s daughter Barbara had orgainsed a get together of friends and family members and graciously agreed to allow a representation from Chindit Society and 77 Brigade to attend. A wonderful buffet was laid out and at its centerpiece there stood two fantastic birthday cakes, one of which was from the Chindit Society and had been organised by John and Pat Pearce.
The day was a great success, as the photographs clearly show with John enjoying all the interaction with his guests and chatting with his old Chindit friends in the form of John Hutchin and Peter Heppell. Well-done John, and and congratulations once again on reaching such a tremendous landmark.
Seen below is a gallery of images in relation to this article, please click on any image to bring it forward on the page. Also shown is a wonderful photograph of John meeting Her Majesty, The Queen in November 2019, when she visited the Veterans Care Home where John stays.
On the 1st March this year (2020), Chindit John Riggs celebrated his 100th birthday at his Royal British Legion care facility, Appleton Lodge. John’s daughter Barbara had orgainsed a get together of friends and family members and graciously agreed to allow a representation from Chindit Society and 77 Brigade to attend. A wonderful buffet was laid out and at its centerpiece there stood two fantastic birthday cakes, one of which was from the Chindit Society and had been organised by John and Pat Pearce.
The day was a great success, as the photographs clearly show with John enjoying all the interaction with his guests and chatting with his old Chindit friends in the form of John Hutchin and Peter Heppell. Well-done John, and and congratulations once again on reaching such a tremendous landmark.
Seen below is a gallery of images in relation to this article, please click on any image to bring it forward on the page. Also shown is a wonderful photograph of John meeting Her Majesty, The Queen in November 2019, when she visited the Veterans Care Home where John stays.
VJ 75 Event at the National Memorial Arboretum, 15th August 2020
Article by Major Paul Corden (77 Brigade).
Having observed that the VE 75 commemorations were disappointingly muted due to COVID-19, with no live veteran participation, the Chindit Society and 77 Brigade launched an influence campaign to try to get the Royal British Legion (RBL) and the MOD Commemorative Events and Ceremonial Team (CECT) to look at ways of enabling veterans to take a more prominent role for VJ 75.
Through participation in RBL meetings, and through several e-mails and calls to the RBL and the MOD CECT, we highlighted the special role played by the Chindits in the Far East campaign and made lots of helpful, practical suggestions as to how participation by surviving veterans could be managed even within COVID constraints, based on our experience of enabling veterans to take part in events such as the Cenotaph Parade.
An early success was that the RBL and MOD CECT welcomed access to Chindit veterans for pre-recorded interviews by the BBC, which provided the BBC with a bank of options in the can for possible later use. We also kept badgering away about live participation in what was emerging as the main VJ 75 event, to be conducted at the National Memorial Arboretum (NMA).
In parallel, we contacted several newspapers and offered interviews with Chindit veterans, which ultimately led to some super articles being published in national papers, such as the Daily Express and the Daily Mirror.
In the event, relaxations to Government COVID-19 restrictions belatedly enabled the RBL to include live veteran participation in their main event at the NMA, within an overall cap of 200 participants. Due to our original lobbying, the Chindits were right at the front of the RBL planners’ thinking, and five Chindits, along with five escorts, were included in the 40 veterans invited to take part. Paul Shenton and Alice Wingate-Pearce also got tickets as Chindit Society reps, and I got an Army ticket as the 77 Brigade rep.
This now led to some hurried organising to get the lucky five Chindits to the NMA. Sally Lockhart would bring Peter Heppell, and Neil Machin would bring his father Sid, but things were far more complicated for Ian Niven, Robbie Robertson and Horace Howkins. To cut a long story short, Mike Summerbee (away in Portugal with Manchester City at the Champions League finals) organised a driver and car to transport Ian to the NMA, where Jo Cowley would act as his escort; Robbie’s daughter Jean stepped in at the last moment to get him there; and WO2 Kev Carter would collect Horace from his care home, following last-minute agreement by the manager.
On VJ Day itself, everyone needed to be in place by 1015, so most gathered in Lichfield the day before, staying the night at the George Hotel. Those with specific roles (Alice Wingate-Pearce and Sid Machin, who were going to speak live, and me, as part of the military contingent) had to report to the NMA at lunchtime on Friday for rehearsals.
The BBC had set up a portacabin city in the car park, with cameras, cables, microphones, lights and other technical paraphernalia amongst the trees and monuments, and it was a busy afternoon. After my military briefing and rehearsals were over, I wandered around, chatting with people and watching the various active participants rehearsing their parts, including Alice and Sid. I gave copies of the VJ 75 Chindit booklet to Sophie Raworth and Fergal Keane, to give them some final background on the Chindits. Our Chindit group then met up for drinks and a convivial dinner back at the George.
Saturday 15 August dawned bright and clear. We all gathered at the NMA, which looked even more beautiful than usual, with spectacular garlands of flowers adorning each memorial. I helped greet veterans and their escorts, military guests and other dignitaries and escorted them to their seats, all socially distanced throughout the Far East corner, and then we awaited the arrival of the VVIPs: HRH The Prince of Wales, HRH The Duchess of Cornwall and the Prime Minister.
Those who watched the ceremony on TV were treated to a beautifully choreographed and moving event, with live parts interspersed with pre-recorded interviews. Music from the choir, the RAF Regiment Band, the Gurkha piper and an Indian sitar player wafted ethereally through the trees, interspersed with Art Malik’s central narrative and personal contributions from veterans and descendants, the VVIPs and others.
For those of us present, we could only see a limited part of the whole event, due to the social distancing requirement, unless we were lucky enough to be able to see one of the TV repeater screens dotted about, but of course we all saw and heard the BBMF fly-past, which was a particularly uplifting moment. Overall, it was a huge privilege just to be there.
We were also able to see the BBC production team in action, skilfully shifting from scene to scene, cutting between the large, crane-mounted camera to tripod-mounted cameras and mobile, stabilised cameras. It was only when watching a recording of the programme later that we could fully appreciate the production skills involved, as the coverage did not show any of the equipment that we could see all around us. The BBC has taken a lot of flak recently, but they certainly produced the goods for this event, both technically and in the way that their researchers and presenters, such as Sophie Raworth, Dan Snow and Fergal Keane, really seemed to “get” the solemnity and importance of it all.
I might be biased, but I sense that the Chindit element was the highlight of this event (and, indeed, the whole VJ 75 commemorative period), due to the coherent narrative of that Special Force whose extraordinary exploits stood out even amongst the many heroic parts of the Far East campaign. To have Alice read her grandfather’s Order of the Day for the start of Operation Longcloth was unbelievably powerful. We also had Sid Machin saying the Chindit Prayer and Robbie Robertson being interviewed live by Sophie Raworth, and between the two BBC programmes that day we had pre-recorded interviews with Chindits Ian Niven, Peter Heppell, Charles Mercer, John Hutchin and Kulbahadur Gurung MM (who I had tracked down through my Gurkha contacts), not to mention Joanna Lumley presenting the evening tribute programme.
After the formal ceremony finished, the VVIPs met some of the veterans and descendants. The Prime Minister spoke with Horace Howkins and WO2 Kev Carter, who had a privileged seat close to the Burma Star Memorial, but, disappointingly, Prince Charles and Camilla somehow were not led to the rest of the Chindit party waiting by the Chindit Memorial. However, I grabbed the opportunity to introduce General Sir Nick Carter, Chief of the Defence Staff, to Alice, Paul Shenton, Peter Heppell, Sid Machin, Robbie Robertson and Ian Niven and their escorts. Considering it was him who came up with the title of today’s 77 Brigade, it was a long-overdue opportunity for him to meet some actual Chindit veterans and Orde Wingate’s granddaughter and other Chindit descendants, and it was very special both for him and for those he met.
The Chindit party then gathered at the Chindit Memorial for a mini-ceremony, joined by Mark, The 3rd Viscount Slim, and Major Charlie Miller, the event’s military organiser, whose wife’s late uncle was a Chindit (a Cameronian). Wreaths were laid and an Act of Remembrance was conducted, then everyone gathered for a group photo to mark the occasion. We then reluctantly dispersed, but satisfied that the Chindits had played a rightfully prominent part in commemorating VJ 75 and paying tribute to those no longer with us.
Seen below is a large gallery of images in relation to the VJ Day 75 commemorations at the National Memorial Arboretum. Please click on any image to bring it forward on the page.
Article by Major Paul Corden (77 Brigade).
Having observed that the VE 75 commemorations were disappointingly muted due to COVID-19, with no live veteran participation, the Chindit Society and 77 Brigade launched an influence campaign to try to get the Royal British Legion (RBL) and the MOD Commemorative Events and Ceremonial Team (CECT) to look at ways of enabling veterans to take a more prominent role for VJ 75.
Through participation in RBL meetings, and through several e-mails and calls to the RBL and the MOD CECT, we highlighted the special role played by the Chindits in the Far East campaign and made lots of helpful, practical suggestions as to how participation by surviving veterans could be managed even within COVID constraints, based on our experience of enabling veterans to take part in events such as the Cenotaph Parade.
An early success was that the RBL and MOD CECT welcomed access to Chindit veterans for pre-recorded interviews by the BBC, which provided the BBC with a bank of options in the can for possible later use. We also kept badgering away about live participation in what was emerging as the main VJ 75 event, to be conducted at the National Memorial Arboretum (NMA).
In parallel, we contacted several newspapers and offered interviews with Chindit veterans, which ultimately led to some super articles being published in national papers, such as the Daily Express and the Daily Mirror.
In the event, relaxations to Government COVID-19 restrictions belatedly enabled the RBL to include live veteran participation in their main event at the NMA, within an overall cap of 200 participants. Due to our original lobbying, the Chindits were right at the front of the RBL planners’ thinking, and five Chindits, along with five escorts, were included in the 40 veterans invited to take part. Paul Shenton and Alice Wingate-Pearce also got tickets as Chindit Society reps, and I got an Army ticket as the 77 Brigade rep.
This now led to some hurried organising to get the lucky five Chindits to the NMA. Sally Lockhart would bring Peter Heppell, and Neil Machin would bring his father Sid, but things were far more complicated for Ian Niven, Robbie Robertson and Horace Howkins. To cut a long story short, Mike Summerbee (away in Portugal with Manchester City at the Champions League finals) organised a driver and car to transport Ian to the NMA, where Jo Cowley would act as his escort; Robbie’s daughter Jean stepped in at the last moment to get him there; and WO2 Kev Carter would collect Horace from his care home, following last-minute agreement by the manager.
On VJ Day itself, everyone needed to be in place by 1015, so most gathered in Lichfield the day before, staying the night at the George Hotel. Those with specific roles (Alice Wingate-Pearce and Sid Machin, who were going to speak live, and me, as part of the military contingent) had to report to the NMA at lunchtime on Friday for rehearsals.
The BBC had set up a portacabin city in the car park, with cameras, cables, microphones, lights and other technical paraphernalia amongst the trees and monuments, and it was a busy afternoon. After my military briefing and rehearsals were over, I wandered around, chatting with people and watching the various active participants rehearsing their parts, including Alice and Sid. I gave copies of the VJ 75 Chindit booklet to Sophie Raworth and Fergal Keane, to give them some final background on the Chindits. Our Chindit group then met up for drinks and a convivial dinner back at the George.
Saturday 15 August dawned bright and clear. We all gathered at the NMA, which looked even more beautiful than usual, with spectacular garlands of flowers adorning each memorial. I helped greet veterans and their escorts, military guests and other dignitaries and escorted them to their seats, all socially distanced throughout the Far East corner, and then we awaited the arrival of the VVIPs: HRH The Prince of Wales, HRH The Duchess of Cornwall and the Prime Minister.
Those who watched the ceremony on TV were treated to a beautifully choreographed and moving event, with live parts interspersed with pre-recorded interviews. Music from the choir, the RAF Regiment Band, the Gurkha piper and an Indian sitar player wafted ethereally through the trees, interspersed with Art Malik’s central narrative and personal contributions from veterans and descendants, the VVIPs and others.
For those of us present, we could only see a limited part of the whole event, due to the social distancing requirement, unless we were lucky enough to be able to see one of the TV repeater screens dotted about, but of course we all saw and heard the BBMF fly-past, which was a particularly uplifting moment. Overall, it was a huge privilege just to be there.
We were also able to see the BBC production team in action, skilfully shifting from scene to scene, cutting between the large, crane-mounted camera to tripod-mounted cameras and mobile, stabilised cameras. It was only when watching a recording of the programme later that we could fully appreciate the production skills involved, as the coverage did not show any of the equipment that we could see all around us. The BBC has taken a lot of flak recently, but they certainly produced the goods for this event, both technically and in the way that their researchers and presenters, such as Sophie Raworth, Dan Snow and Fergal Keane, really seemed to “get” the solemnity and importance of it all.
I might be biased, but I sense that the Chindit element was the highlight of this event (and, indeed, the whole VJ 75 commemorative period), due to the coherent narrative of that Special Force whose extraordinary exploits stood out even amongst the many heroic parts of the Far East campaign. To have Alice read her grandfather’s Order of the Day for the start of Operation Longcloth was unbelievably powerful. We also had Sid Machin saying the Chindit Prayer and Robbie Robertson being interviewed live by Sophie Raworth, and between the two BBC programmes that day we had pre-recorded interviews with Chindits Ian Niven, Peter Heppell, Charles Mercer, John Hutchin and Kulbahadur Gurung MM (who I had tracked down through my Gurkha contacts), not to mention Joanna Lumley presenting the evening tribute programme.
After the formal ceremony finished, the VVIPs met some of the veterans and descendants. The Prime Minister spoke with Horace Howkins and WO2 Kev Carter, who had a privileged seat close to the Burma Star Memorial, but, disappointingly, Prince Charles and Camilla somehow were not led to the rest of the Chindit party waiting by the Chindit Memorial. However, I grabbed the opportunity to introduce General Sir Nick Carter, Chief of the Defence Staff, to Alice, Paul Shenton, Peter Heppell, Sid Machin, Robbie Robertson and Ian Niven and their escorts. Considering it was him who came up with the title of today’s 77 Brigade, it was a long-overdue opportunity for him to meet some actual Chindit veterans and Orde Wingate’s granddaughter and other Chindit descendants, and it was very special both for him and for those he met.
The Chindit party then gathered at the Chindit Memorial for a mini-ceremony, joined by Mark, The 3rd Viscount Slim, and Major Charlie Miller, the event’s military organiser, whose wife’s late uncle was a Chindit (a Cameronian). Wreaths were laid and an Act of Remembrance was conducted, then everyone gathered for a group photo to mark the occasion. We then reluctantly dispersed, but satisfied that the Chindits had played a rightfully prominent part in commemorating VJ 75 and paying tribute to those no longer with us.
Seen below is a large gallery of images in relation to the VJ Day 75 commemorations at the National Memorial Arboretum. Please click on any image to bring it forward on the page.
VJ Day 75 at the Chindit Memorial (London)
The Society’s VJ Day commemorations began in the cool morning drizzle of Saturday 15th August at the Chindit Memorial in London. The Army Head Quarters (London District) had included our memorial as part of a six-memorial tour beginning at the Cenotaph at 6.35am.
A party of four senior Army Officers including the General Officer Commanding, Chief of Staff and the Brigade Major attended the Chindit Memorial at exactly 7.45am, alongside a Gurkha bugler and committee members, Mandy Walsh and Steve Fogden representing the Chindit Society, ably supported by Geordie and Margaret Fergusson as rearguard.
After a brief introduction and informal discussion about the history of the Chindits and the memorial before us, the Brigade Major called proceedings to order, which began with a general salute in respect of our memorial followed by a short wreath laying ceremony (carried out on behalf of the Society by Mandy Walsh). The Gurkha bugler played the Last Post, which was then followed by a one minute silence. Reveille was sounded to conclude the ceremony and the Army group moved off to attend the Gurkha Memorial on Horse Guards Avenue.
The Society’s VJ Day commemorations began in the cool morning drizzle of Saturday 15th August at the Chindit Memorial in London. The Army Head Quarters (London District) had included our memorial as part of a six-memorial tour beginning at the Cenotaph at 6.35am.
A party of four senior Army Officers including the General Officer Commanding, Chief of Staff and the Brigade Major attended the Chindit Memorial at exactly 7.45am, alongside a Gurkha bugler and committee members, Mandy Walsh and Steve Fogden representing the Chindit Society, ably supported by Geordie and Margaret Fergusson as rearguard.
After a brief introduction and informal discussion about the history of the Chindits and the memorial before us, the Brigade Major called proceedings to order, which began with a general salute in respect of our memorial followed by a short wreath laying ceremony (carried out on behalf of the Society by Mandy Walsh). The Gurkha bugler played the Last Post, which was then followed by a one minute silence. Reveille was sounded to conclude the ceremony and the Army group moved off to attend the Gurkha Memorial on Horse Guards Avenue.
VJ Day 75 commemorations at the Chindit Memorial on the Victoria Embankment in London.
Chindit Society representatives at the London Memorial. L-R: Geordie Fergusson, Mandy Walsh and Steve Fogden.
The Tenterden War Memorial
Several of the Chindit Society committee members took part in VJ Day 75 commemorations this year at many venues across the country. Society Media officer, Tony Redding reports:
On Saturday August 15, Philippa and I had the honour of escorting Chindit John Hutchin and his wife Anne to the Tenterden War Memorial located in the Ashford district of Kent, for a service of remembrance and thanksgiving to mark VJ Day. We were untroubled by weather as thankfully the rain held off and we were joined by around 60 others at the memorial.
Tenterden’s Vicar gave the service and provided the necessary music, thanks to a speaker and an iPhone! The town’s Mayor was also in attendance and took a great interest in John and his war service. Traffic on the busy road was stopped for the minute’s silence and then John laid his own personal wreath on behalf of the Chindits. It was a very special morning for us all, but especially for John.
Seen below are some photographs from the event at the Tenterden War Memorial. Please click on any image to bring it forward on the page.
Several of the Chindit Society committee members took part in VJ Day 75 commemorations this year at many venues across the country. Society Media officer, Tony Redding reports:
On Saturday August 15, Philippa and I had the honour of escorting Chindit John Hutchin and his wife Anne to the Tenterden War Memorial located in the Ashford district of Kent, for a service of remembrance and thanksgiving to mark VJ Day. We were untroubled by weather as thankfully the rain held off and we were joined by around 60 others at the memorial.
Tenterden’s Vicar gave the service and provided the necessary music, thanks to a speaker and an iPhone! The town’s Mayor was also in attendance and took a great interest in John and his war service. Traffic on the busy road was stopped for the minute’s silence and then John laid his own personal wreath on behalf of the Chindits. It was a very special morning for us all, but especially for John.
Seen below are some photographs from the event at the Tenterden War Memorial. Please click on any image to bring it forward on the page.
Remembering John Hutchin
The Chindit left to die who recovered his will to live. An appreciation and obituary composed by Tony Redding, Media Officer for the Chindit Society.
John Hutchin, who died on the 18th March aged 97, was a prominent ambassador for the Chindits, Orde Wingate’s jungle fighters, who took part in two bitter campaigns behind Japanese lines in Burma during 1943 and 1944. A member of a small band of surviving Chindit veterans, he became a public face, representing over 20,000 men who lived through what is widely regarded as the worst Allied infantry combat experience of World War 2. A staunch supporter of Chindit reunions, he and his comrades often said they feared nothing after five months in North Burma. As young men, they endured sickness, slow starvation and a pitiless enemy offering no quarter. They took the view that nothing else their life might throw at them could possibly be that bad.
John caused a national stir on Remembrance Sunday 2018 when, during a television interview, he told the harrowing story of how he had been left behind, on a jungle track, as he could no longer march. One of the youngest Chindits, he was just 19 when he joined Wingate’s “Special Force”, spending 13 days on trains before reaching 77 Brigade’s remote base in Assam. It was commanded by Michael Calvert, who became a renowned Chindit leader. While John Hutchin had had no jungle training, he had been hardened by a tough childhood. Taking his place in the South Staffords’ 80 Column, he recalled: “I took tremendous pride in such company. They were hard Black Country men. I may have been small, but I was full of aggression. I had no fear; nothing seemed to frighten me.”
Operation Thursday, the second Chindit campaign behind enemy lines, began in earnest on March 5 1944 with the glider landings of advance parties on a jungle clearing in occupied territory known as “Broadway”. Within 24 hours the main body began to fly in by Dakotas. John Hutchin took in the scene when his aircraft landed: “We were surrounded by chaos. Wrecked gliders were strewn all over the area. Large bits of glider were jammed into nearby trees. Broadway was a terrible mess, yet our Column formed up quickly.” They set out for Henu village, where Calvert was to block the main road and railway supplying Japanese divisions in North Burma. This was a challenge the enemy could not ignore. The Chindits dug their weapon pits and built a one-mile square fortress, surrounded by a barbed wire barrier up to 30ft thick. They were supplied by air; the aircraft brought in the wire, together with food, ammunition and four field guns. This “Block” became known as “White City”, after the hundreds of parachutes draped across the trees. John Hutchin and his comrades in 80 Column had marched to the fortress in a temperature of 110 degrees Fahrenheit and high humidity, climbing steep hills covered in dense jungle with loads of up to 80lbs on their backs.
Mike Calvert’s 77 Brigade held White City for seven weeks, beating off daily Japanese assaults. John Hutchin described one day holding the Block as the Japanese attempted to break though and kill the defenders: “Hundreds attacked us at about 07.00, with the last daylight assault at around 16.00 hours. Night attacks followed. Their bugle calls made us laugh – bizarrely, they sounded like ‘Tiger Rag’. Our Vickers, Brens and 2-inch mortars were sufficient to slaughter the Japs, but I didn’t think we would hold them that long as we took a lot of punishment.
John Hutchin: "I remember one man died in my trench - shrapnel cut his stomach open. The airdrops included lime, as the stench of dead men and mules became overwhelming in the heat.”
Eventually, the Chindits closed the Block. They had a new mission to the north. Calvert’s force left behind over 1,000 enemy dead on and around White City’s wire. Their new tasks included help for American General ‘Vinegar Joe’ Stilwell’s Chinese in an effort to capture the town of Mogaung. Wingate had died in an air crash early in the campaign and the Chindits now came under the control of Stilwell, a noted Anglophobe. Stilwell and the beginning of the Monsoon, on May 15, saw the Chindits begin a downward spiral of malaria, dysentery, typhus, exhaustion, slow starvation and improper use as assault troops. John Hutchin was not alone in his increasing concern over the lack of supply drops. Many had to exist for a fortnight on five days’ K-Rations.
By June 13 Calvert’s Brigade was before Moguang. It now had a fighting strength of just 550 men, from an original force of around 2,000. The Brigadier had 250 battle casualties requiring evacuation; half were stretcher cases. John Hutchin then faced every Chindit’s worst nightmare: “I was racked with malaria. I had eight successive bouts of fever. I had also been wounded in the neck having been hit by shrapnel from a mortar round. I got my wound cleaned up. They took maggots from under the saddle of a mule and bound them into the wound, to stop infection.”
He had taken part in the savage and extremely costly fighting for Mogaung, but was then overwhelmed by ankle-deep track mud, exhaustion, hunger, his wound and malaria, becoming delirious: “I could go no farther. I sat on a bank, near a tree. I was given an extra water bottle, a spare clip and one K-Ration meal. Nothing much was said. No regrets were expressed. I looked at my legs and they were covered in deep jungle sores. My will had gone. I was finished and would never see my home again.” He lost consciousness but woke to find himself surrounded by soldiers he first took to be Japanese. Then he realised that they were Stilwell’s Chinese: “In my demented state, there seemed to be hundreds of them. One looked down and started to laugh. He may have been trying to encourage me but I was overcome with fury. I got up, found my rifle and struck him hard on the side of the neck with the butt. I have no recollection of what happened immediately afterwards, but I had found a spark. I began marching and caught up with the Column three days later.”
Two days on, the 80 men who could still march reached an American jungle base. John Hutchin was desperate for food. He lifted a mess tent flap and stole a crust of bread. He was spotted and offered a whole loaf. Subsequently, he was evacuated to an Indian hospital. Later, he was invited to recuperate at the Viceroy’s Lodge at Simla. Several months before, he had helped the Viceroy’s son, Archie Wavell, when an explosive bullet mangled his left hand and lower arm. John Hutchin held his upper arm as a Medical Officer removed the lower portion. The Chindits disbanded. John Hutchin and many other Chindits began parachute training. He made a few jumps but then received an unusual posting to “D Force”, specialists in psychological warfare. He went on a mission to Batavia; D Force, with its jeeps and “SONIC” trailers, attempted to persuade Japanese troops holding out in the interior to accept that the war was over.
John Hutchin arrived back in Britain in 1947. One of his last duties was to escort Nazi war criminals for trial at Nuremburg. He had been diagnosed as suffering from “Battle Anxiety” and later found it difficult to return to civilian life. He joined an insurance company and trained as a fire surveyor. Decades later, he found solace in his final years in the company of fellow Chindit veterans, taking every opportunity to attend reunions and commemorations. John Hutchin greatly appreciated the warm support extended by the modern 77 Brigade, taking forward the Chindit heritage in today’s Army. To the end, he retained a quiet power to move those he talked to about his experiences in Burma. Ronnie Shenton, the 13-year-old son of Chindit Society Chairman Paul Shenton, made a video of John’s photographs and commented: “I want to follow in his footsteps and be that brave.”
The Chindit left to die who recovered his will to live. An appreciation and obituary composed by Tony Redding, Media Officer for the Chindit Society.
John Hutchin, who died on the 18th March aged 97, was a prominent ambassador for the Chindits, Orde Wingate’s jungle fighters, who took part in two bitter campaigns behind Japanese lines in Burma during 1943 and 1944. A member of a small band of surviving Chindit veterans, he became a public face, representing over 20,000 men who lived through what is widely regarded as the worst Allied infantry combat experience of World War 2. A staunch supporter of Chindit reunions, he and his comrades often said they feared nothing after five months in North Burma. As young men, they endured sickness, slow starvation and a pitiless enemy offering no quarter. They took the view that nothing else their life might throw at them could possibly be that bad.
John caused a national stir on Remembrance Sunday 2018 when, during a television interview, he told the harrowing story of how he had been left behind, on a jungle track, as he could no longer march. One of the youngest Chindits, he was just 19 when he joined Wingate’s “Special Force”, spending 13 days on trains before reaching 77 Brigade’s remote base in Assam. It was commanded by Michael Calvert, who became a renowned Chindit leader. While John Hutchin had had no jungle training, he had been hardened by a tough childhood. Taking his place in the South Staffords’ 80 Column, he recalled: “I took tremendous pride in such company. They were hard Black Country men. I may have been small, but I was full of aggression. I had no fear; nothing seemed to frighten me.”
Operation Thursday, the second Chindit campaign behind enemy lines, began in earnest on March 5 1944 with the glider landings of advance parties on a jungle clearing in occupied territory known as “Broadway”. Within 24 hours the main body began to fly in by Dakotas. John Hutchin took in the scene when his aircraft landed: “We were surrounded by chaos. Wrecked gliders were strewn all over the area. Large bits of glider were jammed into nearby trees. Broadway was a terrible mess, yet our Column formed up quickly.” They set out for Henu village, where Calvert was to block the main road and railway supplying Japanese divisions in North Burma. This was a challenge the enemy could not ignore. The Chindits dug their weapon pits and built a one-mile square fortress, surrounded by a barbed wire barrier up to 30ft thick. They were supplied by air; the aircraft brought in the wire, together with food, ammunition and four field guns. This “Block” became known as “White City”, after the hundreds of parachutes draped across the trees. John Hutchin and his comrades in 80 Column had marched to the fortress in a temperature of 110 degrees Fahrenheit and high humidity, climbing steep hills covered in dense jungle with loads of up to 80lbs on their backs.
Mike Calvert’s 77 Brigade held White City for seven weeks, beating off daily Japanese assaults. John Hutchin described one day holding the Block as the Japanese attempted to break though and kill the defenders: “Hundreds attacked us at about 07.00, with the last daylight assault at around 16.00 hours. Night attacks followed. Their bugle calls made us laugh – bizarrely, they sounded like ‘Tiger Rag’. Our Vickers, Brens and 2-inch mortars were sufficient to slaughter the Japs, but I didn’t think we would hold them that long as we took a lot of punishment.
John Hutchin: "I remember one man died in my trench - shrapnel cut his stomach open. The airdrops included lime, as the stench of dead men and mules became overwhelming in the heat.”
Eventually, the Chindits closed the Block. They had a new mission to the north. Calvert’s force left behind over 1,000 enemy dead on and around White City’s wire. Their new tasks included help for American General ‘Vinegar Joe’ Stilwell’s Chinese in an effort to capture the town of Mogaung. Wingate had died in an air crash early in the campaign and the Chindits now came under the control of Stilwell, a noted Anglophobe. Stilwell and the beginning of the Monsoon, on May 15, saw the Chindits begin a downward spiral of malaria, dysentery, typhus, exhaustion, slow starvation and improper use as assault troops. John Hutchin was not alone in his increasing concern over the lack of supply drops. Many had to exist for a fortnight on five days’ K-Rations.
By June 13 Calvert’s Brigade was before Moguang. It now had a fighting strength of just 550 men, from an original force of around 2,000. The Brigadier had 250 battle casualties requiring evacuation; half were stretcher cases. John Hutchin then faced every Chindit’s worst nightmare: “I was racked with malaria. I had eight successive bouts of fever. I had also been wounded in the neck having been hit by shrapnel from a mortar round. I got my wound cleaned up. They took maggots from under the saddle of a mule and bound them into the wound, to stop infection.”
He had taken part in the savage and extremely costly fighting for Mogaung, but was then overwhelmed by ankle-deep track mud, exhaustion, hunger, his wound and malaria, becoming delirious: “I could go no farther. I sat on a bank, near a tree. I was given an extra water bottle, a spare clip and one K-Ration meal. Nothing much was said. No regrets were expressed. I looked at my legs and they were covered in deep jungle sores. My will had gone. I was finished and would never see my home again.” He lost consciousness but woke to find himself surrounded by soldiers he first took to be Japanese. Then he realised that they were Stilwell’s Chinese: “In my demented state, there seemed to be hundreds of them. One looked down and started to laugh. He may have been trying to encourage me but I was overcome with fury. I got up, found my rifle and struck him hard on the side of the neck with the butt. I have no recollection of what happened immediately afterwards, but I had found a spark. I began marching and caught up with the Column three days later.”
Two days on, the 80 men who could still march reached an American jungle base. John Hutchin was desperate for food. He lifted a mess tent flap and stole a crust of bread. He was spotted and offered a whole loaf. Subsequently, he was evacuated to an Indian hospital. Later, he was invited to recuperate at the Viceroy’s Lodge at Simla. Several months before, he had helped the Viceroy’s son, Archie Wavell, when an explosive bullet mangled his left hand and lower arm. John Hutchin held his upper arm as a Medical Officer removed the lower portion. The Chindits disbanded. John Hutchin and many other Chindits began parachute training. He made a few jumps but then received an unusual posting to “D Force”, specialists in psychological warfare. He went on a mission to Batavia; D Force, with its jeeps and “SONIC” trailers, attempted to persuade Japanese troops holding out in the interior to accept that the war was over.
John Hutchin arrived back in Britain in 1947. One of his last duties was to escort Nazi war criminals for trial at Nuremburg. He had been diagnosed as suffering from “Battle Anxiety” and later found it difficult to return to civilian life. He joined an insurance company and trained as a fire surveyor. Decades later, he found solace in his final years in the company of fellow Chindit veterans, taking every opportunity to attend reunions and commemorations. John Hutchin greatly appreciated the warm support extended by the modern 77 Brigade, taking forward the Chindit heritage in today’s Army. To the end, he retained a quiet power to move those he talked to about his experiences in Burma. Ronnie Shenton, the 13-year-old son of Chindit Society Chairman Paul Shenton, made a video of John’s photographs and commented: “I want to follow in his footsteps and be that brave.”
Dame Joanna Lumley
The Chindit Society would like to send their heartfelt congratulations to our good friend, Joanna Lumley on her thoroughly deserved award as announced in the Queen’s New Year Honours List. Joanna remarked that her award, which was for her services to drama, entertainment and charity, was extraordinary and totally unexpected.
She told the BBC that: “I initially thought the rather formal letter was going to be bad news. When I opened the letter it was such a shock, I put my head in my hands and sobbed. Then I thought, how has this happened? Is it a mistake? I was completely thrown by the award, but thrilled to bits and so touched.”
As many of us will already know, Joanna is an honorary member of the Chindit Society and has long been involved in the struggle to see that Gurkha veterans receive the same pension and financial benefits as British soldiers. Her father, Major James Rutherford Lumley was also a Chindit, being an officer in the 3/6 Gurkha Rifles that fought with 77 Brigade during Operation Thursday in 1944, right through to the battle of Mogaung.
The Chindit Society would like to send their heartfelt congratulations to our good friend, Joanna Lumley on her thoroughly deserved award as announced in the Queen’s New Year Honours List. Joanna remarked that her award, which was for her services to drama, entertainment and charity, was extraordinary and totally unexpected.
She told the BBC that: “I initially thought the rather formal letter was going to be bad news. When I opened the letter it was such a shock, I put my head in my hands and sobbed. Then I thought, how has this happened? Is it a mistake? I was completely thrown by the award, but thrilled to bits and so touched.”
As many of us will already know, Joanna is an honorary member of the Chindit Society and has long been involved in the struggle to see that Gurkha veterans receive the same pension and financial benefits as British soldiers. Her father, Major James Rutherford Lumley was also a Chindit, being an officer in the 3/6 Gurkha Rifles that fought with 77 Brigade during Operation Thursday in 1944, right through to the battle of Mogaung.
Joanna Lumley meets Chindit, Peter Heppell on the occasion of his 100th birthday in March 2020.
Brigadier Walter Purcell Scott, a Portrait Painting
An article by Jo Cowley: On September 1st 2021, we unveiled the new portrait of my father, Brigadier “Scotty” Scott, in the Officers’ Mess at Hermitage Barracks, I was in attendance with my husband and our three children, all of whom are immensely proud of “Grandpa”. It was also particularly appropriate that Sid Machin and members of his family were there, because for Scotty soldiering was all about the men around him. Leadership could never be entirely democratic but with him it was always very inclusive; he understood that his role was not to have all the best ideas, but to identify and implement the best ideas. As his unique, lop-sided grin looked down on us, we were also reminded that one word common to all three of his medal citations was “cheerful”. His irrepressible enthusiasm, optimism and confidence were undoubtedly both re-assuring and inspiring to everybody he served with.
He believed that if you were sure of what you were doing and gave it your full commitment, you would usually prove successful (and he usually did!). In later life he would often refer to himself as a “Saturday night soldier”, because he had started off in the T.A., so finding his portrait hanging alongside those of his leader General Wingate and his great friend Mike Calvert would, for Scotty, have been the highest possible honour.
Our thanks go to the artist Hugh Beattie for coping with our determination that “The Scotty Smile” should be included. Special thanks must go to our host Brigadier Alex Turner, to Major Paul Corden for his detailed presentation of Scotty’s army career and to all the members of 77th Brigade, who are doing so much to help us maintain and promote the remarkable spirit and example of the Chindits.
Seen below are some photographs taken on the occasion of the unveiling at Denison Barracks. Please click on any image to bring it forward on the page.
An article by Jo Cowley: On September 1st 2021, we unveiled the new portrait of my father, Brigadier “Scotty” Scott, in the Officers’ Mess at Hermitage Barracks, I was in attendance with my husband and our three children, all of whom are immensely proud of “Grandpa”. It was also particularly appropriate that Sid Machin and members of his family were there, because for Scotty soldiering was all about the men around him. Leadership could never be entirely democratic but with him it was always very inclusive; he understood that his role was not to have all the best ideas, but to identify and implement the best ideas. As his unique, lop-sided grin looked down on us, we were also reminded that one word common to all three of his medal citations was “cheerful”. His irrepressible enthusiasm, optimism and confidence were undoubtedly both re-assuring and inspiring to everybody he served with.
He believed that if you were sure of what you were doing and gave it your full commitment, you would usually prove successful (and he usually did!). In later life he would often refer to himself as a “Saturday night soldier”, because he had started off in the T.A., so finding his portrait hanging alongside those of his leader General Wingate and his great friend Mike Calvert would, for Scotty, have been the highest possible honour.
Our thanks go to the artist Hugh Beattie for coping with our determination that “The Scotty Smile” should be included. Special thanks must go to our host Brigadier Alex Turner, to Major Paul Corden for his detailed presentation of Scotty’s army career and to all the members of 77th Brigade, who are doing so much to help us maintain and promote the remarkable spirit and example of the Chindits.
Seen below are some photographs taken on the occasion of the unveiling at Denison Barracks. Please click on any image to bring it forward on the page.
REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY 14 NOVEMBER 2021
Having had to miss the 2020 Cenotaph parade and make do with a small representative ceremony at the Chindit Memorial due to COVID, it was wonderful to be able to parade properly again and pay tribute to our fallen Chindits. Also once again, the Metropolitan Police kindly allowed us to use New Scotland Yard as a base for our families during the parade and for the lunch afterwards, facilitated by PC Anthony Kiddle and his Havering Volunteer Police Cadets.
With overall numbers limited by the RBL, a reduced party of nineteen gathered beside Canada House at 9 o’clock. With Ian Niven sadly unable to travel, we were down to three Chindits: Peter Heppell, Sid Machin and Robbie Robertson, pushed by Nathan Richards, Kevin Carter and Nick Champion from 77th Brigade. However, this enabled some new Chindit descendants/supporters to take part in the parade for the first time: Kate Cowley, Robert Bruce, Shirley Hogan, Stephen Walsh, Diana Gaines, Pete Hayden and John Fleming. Paul Shenton, Alice Wingate and Sally Lockhart from the Chindit Society, and Paul Corden, Tom Archer-Burton and Ellie Marriott (photographer) from 77th Brigade completed the marching party.
Unfortunately, someone in the RBL thought it would be a good idea to have a metal-detecting arch at the entrance to Horse Guards Parade – with pretty well everyone having medals on their chest and setting the alarm off, you can imagine the chaotic delay and human traffic jam that ensued…! In the end, the metal-detector was abandoned and the pent-up hordes swarmed onto Horse Guards Parade, barely pausing before moving through the archway and onto Whitehall; indeed, we were still being marshalled into position when the Service of Remembrance actually started!
Very soon the dignitaries had laid their wreaths and left, and we were on the move. As we passed the waiting columns of veterans to our left a wave of applause for our Chindits accompanied us as we approached the Cenotaph. We also attracted quite a long bit of high-profile BBC coverage as we carried out our “Eyes left” to the Cenotaph.
As ever, Peter and Sid got out of their wheelchairs and proudly marched past the Cenotaph itself, with Peter handing over the Chindit Society wreath. This time, though, finally acknowledging a combined age of almost exactly 200 years (just 7 months short!), they allowed themselves to be scooped up by their wheelchair pushers to complete the march in sedentary comfort! Arriving back at Horse Guards Parade via Parliament Square and the end of St James’s Park, we had the honour of giving an “Eyes right” to our future King, The Duke Of Cambridge.
While most of our party ducked the final muster to head off for the Chindit Memorial as usual, Robbie Robertson, pushed by Nick Champion and accompanied by Paul Shenton, remained on Horse Guards Parade for a hot date with the BBC’s Sophie Raworth – Sophie had interviewed Robbie at the National Memorial Arboretum on VJ Day 75 in 2020, and when she heard he was going to be on parade again, she specifically asked to have another interview with him. Robbie duly gave another wonderful performance, broadcast live nationwide and internationally, raising the Chindit profile still further.
The rest of us got back to New Scotland Yard and sorted ourselves out while waiting for Robbie to rejoin us. Dame Cressida Dick, the Metropolitan Police Commissioner, was up on the balcony of the top floor, so I seized the moment to thank her for the use the facilities, and she graciously reaffirmed her support for this arrangement into the future.
When Robbie caught us up, we held our own additional Act of Remembrance at the Chindit Memorial. Despite COVID and reduced numbers overall, there were still almost a hundred people present, including several children, which was lovely to see.
Everyone then went up to the top floor of New Scotland Yard, where Sam Cowley, Chindit Walter “Scotty” Scott’s grandson, served up yet another delicious buffet lunch, supported by the 77th Brigade Admin Team of Ryan Crank and David Buchanan, who had earlier looked after the non-marching family members.
There was a happy buzz as people relived the earlier events of the day. In particular, there was a feeling of relief that it had all gone ahead despite the growing rumblings of a COVID resurgence, with many people having had a very special and emotional experience, especially those marching past the Cenotaph for the first time. We also raised a glass to Chindit Charles Mercer, whose 102nd birthday it was that exact day!
It was a tired but happy throng that gradually dispersed after the lunch. We now look forward to doing it all again next year…!
Article written by Major Paul Corden (77 Brigade).
Having had to miss the 2020 Cenotaph parade and make do with a small representative ceremony at the Chindit Memorial due to COVID, it was wonderful to be able to parade properly again and pay tribute to our fallen Chindits. Also once again, the Metropolitan Police kindly allowed us to use New Scotland Yard as a base for our families during the parade and for the lunch afterwards, facilitated by PC Anthony Kiddle and his Havering Volunteer Police Cadets.
With overall numbers limited by the RBL, a reduced party of nineteen gathered beside Canada House at 9 o’clock. With Ian Niven sadly unable to travel, we were down to three Chindits: Peter Heppell, Sid Machin and Robbie Robertson, pushed by Nathan Richards, Kevin Carter and Nick Champion from 77th Brigade. However, this enabled some new Chindit descendants/supporters to take part in the parade for the first time: Kate Cowley, Robert Bruce, Shirley Hogan, Stephen Walsh, Diana Gaines, Pete Hayden and John Fleming. Paul Shenton, Alice Wingate and Sally Lockhart from the Chindit Society, and Paul Corden, Tom Archer-Burton and Ellie Marriott (photographer) from 77th Brigade completed the marching party.
Unfortunately, someone in the RBL thought it would be a good idea to have a metal-detecting arch at the entrance to Horse Guards Parade – with pretty well everyone having medals on their chest and setting the alarm off, you can imagine the chaotic delay and human traffic jam that ensued…! In the end, the metal-detector was abandoned and the pent-up hordes swarmed onto Horse Guards Parade, barely pausing before moving through the archway and onto Whitehall; indeed, we were still being marshalled into position when the Service of Remembrance actually started!
Very soon the dignitaries had laid their wreaths and left, and we were on the move. As we passed the waiting columns of veterans to our left a wave of applause for our Chindits accompanied us as we approached the Cenotaph. We also attracted quite a long bit of high-profile BBC coverage as we carried out our “Eyes left” to the Cenotaph.
As ever, Peter and Sid got out of their wheelchairs and proudly marched past the Cenotaph itself, with Peter handing over the Chindit Society wreath. This time, though, finally acknowledging a combined age of almost exactly 200 years (just 7 months short!), they allowed themselves to be scooped up by their wheelchair pushers to complete the march in sedentary comfort! Arriving back at Horse Guards Parade via Parliament Square and the end of St James’s Park, we had the honour of giving an “Eyes right” to our future King, The Duke Of Cambridge.
While most of our party ducked the final muster to head off for the Chindit Memorial as usual, Robbie Robertson, pushed by Nick Champion and accompanied by Paul Shenton, remained on Horse Guards Parade for a hot date with the BBC’s Sophie Raworth – Sophie had interviewed Robbie at the National Memorial Arboretum on VJ Day 75 in 2020, and when she heard he was going to be on parade again, she specifically asked to have another interview with him. Robbie duly gave another wonderful performance, broadcast live nationwide and internationally, raising the Chindit profile still further.
The rest of us got back to New Scotland Yard and sorted ourselves out while waiting for Robbie to rejoin us. Dame Cressida Dick, the Metropolitan Police Commissioner, was up on the balcony of the top floor, so I seized the moment to thank her for the use the facilities, and she graciously reaffirmed her support for this arrangement into the future.
When Robbie caught us up, we held our own additional Act of Remembrance at the Chindit Memorial. Despite COVID and reduced numbers overall, there were still almost a hundred people present, including several children, which was lovely to see.
Everyone then went up to the top floor of New Scotland Yard, where Sam Cowley, Chindit Walter “Scotty” Scott’s grandson, served up yet another delicious buffet lunch, supported by the 77th Brigade Admin Team of Ryan Crank and David Buchanan, who had earlier looked after the non-marching family members.
There was a happy buzz as people relived the earlier events of the day. In particular, there was a feeling of relief that it had all gone ahead despite the growing rumblings of a COVID resurgence, with many people having had a very special and emotional experience, especially those marching past the Cenotaph for the first time. We also raised a glass to Chindit Charles Mercer, whose 102nd birthday it was that exact day!
It was a tired but happy throng that gradually dispersed after the lunch. We now look forward to doing it all again next year…!
Article written by Major Paul Corden (77 Brigade).
Ian Niven MBE
Ian Niven, who sadly passed away last December, was part of No. 20 Column on Operation Thursday, one of the two columns formed by the 1st Battalion, the Lancashire Fusiliers. After landing at Broadway, 20 Column’s mission included defending the White City stronghold that cut the railway line at Henu. They were attacked daily for a period of seven weeks but held the densely wired perimeter. Ian was wounded by grenade fragments and dysentery added to his woes. During one attack a heavy mortar round exploded nearby. Ian remembered: “The blast hit me from the left and I was blown into a trench. Then someone else jumped in and landed with their legs over my shoulders leaving the back of my neck wet. I thought he’d been wounded, but in fact, he’d wet himself as he jumped into the trench. I was just happy he wasn’t wounded, but then discovered I had gone deaf in one ear.”
Later, the Lancashire Fusiliers were involved in savage hand-to-hand fighting around Pinhmi Bridge, on the approaches to Mogaung. Ian participated in the main attack on the town, in June 1944. “When we got into Mogaung it was littered with dead Japanese ... I looked around at the devastation. I was completely knackered. After the battle, I became so ill I could hardly walk.” Ian had been a superbly fit young man of 10 stone five pounds; he now weighed seven stone seven pounds. He passed out on the aircraft flying him to safety. On reaching India he was at the edge of death. “I woke up on a slab in a tented field hospital, with people throwing buckets of ice over me.” His temperature peaked at 108 degrees Fahrenheit. He was diagnosed with amoebic dysentery and spent the next six months in hospital. After the Japanese surrender in August 1945, Ian returned home to the UK by troopship still suffering with dysentery, which stayed with him for another year or so.
As Major Paul Corden of 77 Brigade remarked at Ian’s funeral: Ian didn't give his life out there, but he gave his health and his fitness, and he never fulfilled his dream of playing for his beloved Manchester City. However, he was always fiercely proud that he had played for the Chindits. In all my 43 years Army service, including nine operational tours, nothing I have done comes anywhere close to what Ian and his Chindit comrades went through in their four months out in Burma, in terms of sheer intensity of combat, prolonged physical hardship in a hostile and unhealthy jungle environment, and unimaginable mental stress operating behind enemy lines. What the Chindits did was the stuff of legend, and we in today's Army, and especially today's 77th Brigade, are in awe of them. Ian Niven, Chindit legend, we salute you.
Of all the things that defined Ian, it was his love of Manchester City that most stands out. At his funeral his grandson, Mike Kay recalled: The family have basically supported City for almost 100 years. So more than anything, it was City that made Grandad extra special - seeing his name in the programme every week, his picture popping up in the Manchester Evening News in an article he had featured in, or a glimpse of him on TV without warning from time to time.
You might not know he also used to visit all the primary schools in Salford and Stretford, and the areas of Manchester who might otherwise naturally lean the other way football wise, distributing free tickets with the objective of sowing and nurturing new blue supporting areas for future generations to come. He even signed autographs at Junior Blues meetings; always with 'Only the Cream' as his motto under his name...he wrote this in birthday cards too! So, as well as his family, City was Grandad's life work, and you can't think of him without thinking about City and vice versa - it's that deeply ingrained within us all.
Manchester City FC announced the sad news of Ian’s passing on their website dated 5th December 2021:
www.mancity.com/news/club/honorary-president-ian-niven-mbe-passes-away-63774318
Ian Niven, who sadly passed away last December, was part of No. 20 Column on Operation Thursday, one of the two columns formed by the 1st Battalion, the Lancashire Fusiliers. After landing at Broadway, 20 Column’s mission included defending the White City stronghold that cut the railway line at Henu. They were attacked daily for a period of seven weeks but held the densely wired perimeter. Ian was wounded by grenade fragments and dysentery added to his woes. During one attack a heavy mortar round exploded nearby. Ian remembered: “The blast hit me from the left and I was blown into a trench. Then someone else jumped in and landed with their legs over my shoulders leaving the back of my neck wet. I thought he’d been wounded, but in fact, he’d wet himself as he jumped into the trench. I was just happy he wasn’t wounded, but then discovered I had gone deaf in one ear.”
Later, the Lancashire Fusiliers were involved in savage hand-to-hand fighting around Pinhmi Bridge, on the approaches to Mogaung. Ian participated in the main attack on the town, in June 1944. “When we got into Mogaung it was littered with dead Japanese ... I looked around at the devastation. I was completely knackered. After the battle, I became so ill I could hardly walk.” Ian had been a superbly fit young man of 10 stone five pounds; he now weighed seven stone seven pounds. He passed out on the aircraft flying him to safety. On reaching India he was at the edge of death. “I woke up on a slab in a tented field hospital, with people throwing buckets of ice over me.” His temperature peaked at 108 degrees Fahrenheit. He was diagnosed with amoebic dysentery and spent the next six months in hospital. After the Japanese surrender in August 1945, Ian returned home to the UK by troopship still suffering with dysentery, which stayed with him for another year or so.
As Major Paul Corden of 77 Brigade remarked at Ian’s funeral: Ian didn't give his life out there, but he gave his health and his fitness, and he never fulfilled his dream of playing for his beloved Manchester City. However, he was always fiercely proud that he had played for the Chindits. In all my 43 years Army service, including nine operational tours, nothing I have done comes anywhere close to what Ian and his Chindit comrades went through in their four months out in Burma, in terms of sheer intensity of combat, prolonged physical hardship in a hostile and unhealthy jungle environment, and unimaginable mental stress operating behind enemy lines. What the Chindits did was the stuff of legend, and we in today's Army, and especially today's 77th Brigade, are in awe of them. Ian Niven, Chindit legend, we salute you.
Of all the things that defined Ian, it was his love of Manchester City that most stands out. At his funeral his grandson, Mike Kay recalled: The family have basically supported City for almost 100 years. So more than anything, it was City that made Grandad extra special - seeing his name in the programme every week, his picture popping up in the Manchester Evening News in an article he had featured in, or a glimpse of him on TV without warning from time to time.
You might not know he also used to visit all the primary schools in Salford and Stretford, and the areas of Manchester who might otherwise naturally lean the other way football wise, distributing free tickets with the objective of sowing and nurturing new blue supporting areas for future generations to come. He even signed autographs at Junior Blues meetings; always with 'Only the Cream' as his motto under his name...he wrote this in birthday cards too! So, as well as his family, City was Grandad's life work, and you can't think of him without thinking about City and vice versa - it's that deeply ingrained within us all.
Manchester City FC announced the sad news of Ian’s passing on their website dated 5th December 2021:
www.mancity.com/news/club/honorary-president-ian-niven-mbe-passes-away-63774318
Adorning Ian Niven's coffin were his Chindit slouch hat, his WW2 medals, his MBE award and a wreath in the colours of Manchester City FC.
John Riggs
John Riggs passed away aged 101 on the 8th December 2021 and his funeral was held at St. Peter and St. Paul’s Church in Aylesford, Kent. John served with the 1st Battalion, the Bedfordshire & Hertfordshire Regiment in WW2 and was the Reconnaissance Platoon commander for No. 16 Column, part of 14th Brigade on Operation Thursday in 1944. He featured in the Spring 2019 edition of this newsletter, where his memories from Burma were described in detail.
John was educated at Magdalen College School, leaving in 1937 to begin a career in Accountancy, which was interrupted by the outbreak of war in 1939. He originally joined the Artists’ Rifles, before being posted to the Beds & Herts and serving in Egypt, Syria, Lebanon and taking part in the siege of Tobruk.
After the war John qualified as an Accountant and soon returned to the Far East, working in Hong Kong, Singapore and Japan, where he had a very successful career and an enjoyable life with his wife Marjorie and their three children.
John was a strong supporter of the Chindit Old Comrades Association over the years and enjoyed many of the more recent events put on by the Chindit Society and 77 Brigade. He also gave some welcome advice to the Society in relation to its structure and purpose during the early days of its construction in 2015.
As a way of honouring John, please enjoy reading his own appreciation of the role of a Reconnaissance Platoon Commander in Burma. Taken from the Official History of the Bedfordshire & Hertfordshire Regiment for WW2.
The Column Reconnaissance Platoon in Chindit Operations by John Riggs
Each column had its Recce Platoon. It was normally many days’ march away from the Column and therefore did not provide the normal protective screen ahead of advancing troops. Its basic task was to gather information for its Column Commander or a group of columns in an operation co-ordinated by Brigade.
Tactical information regarding enemy locations was constantly needed, but there were often more prosaic tasks which the Platoon undertook concerning the terrain over which the Column or columns were to pass to reach their objective.
Before monsoon broke in June 1944 the location of water was often a problem. Mules in particular had to have water more regularly than the men, otherwise they lost condition very quickly. However, a scarcity of watering-points increased the hazard of ambush, or disclosure of a column’s presence and directional course at a time when secrecy was important.
After monsoon started the problem was finding possible river crossing-points. The course of the rivers was mainly north-south falling steeply out of the high mountains of the northeastern Himalayas. Once the monsoon began dry riverbeds became raging torrents in just a few hours. Such conditions cut riverbanks, which were steep-sided and impossible to ford by fully laden mules. Passable crossing-points became infrequent, and again the risk of ambush was greatly increased.
The search for watering places and river crossing-points was a time consuming job, which was increased by the need to maintain a patrolling screen while the column, in a very vulnerable state, could pass through these locations without enemy interception. The other regular task for the platoon was to locate supply dropping zones usually in conjunction with the Column RAF Officer. Such zones needed to be fixed four or more days ahead of the column.
John Riggs passed away aged 101 on the 8th December 2021 and his funeral was held at St. Peter and St. Paul’s Church in Aylesford, Kent. John served with the 1st Battalion, the Bedfordshire & Hertfordshire Regiment in WW2 and was the Reconnaissance Platoon commander for No. 16 Column, part of 14th Brigade on Operation Thursday in 1944. He featured in the Spring 2019 edition of this newsletter, where his memories from Burma were described in detail.
John was educated at Magdalen College School, leaving in 1937 to begin a career in Accountancy, which was interrupted by the outbreak of war in 1939. He originally joined the Artists’ Rifles, before being posted to the Beds & Herts and serving in Egypt, Syria, Lebanon and taking part in the siege of Tobruk.
After the war John qualified as an Accountant and soon returned to the Far East, working in Hong Kong, Singapore and Japan, where he had a very successful career and an enjoyable life with his wife Marjorie and their three children.
John was a strong supporter of the Chindit Old Comrades Association over the years and enjoyed many of the more recent events put on by the Chindit Society and 77 Brigade. He also gave some welcome advice to the Society in relation to its structure and purpose during the early days of its construction in 2015.
As a way of honouring John, please enjoy reading his own appreciation of the role of a Reconnaissance Platoon Commander in Burma. Taken from the Official History of the Bedfordshire & Hertfordshire Regiment for WW2.
The Column Reconnaissance Platoon in Chindit Operations by John Riggs
Each column had its Recce Platoon. It was normally many days’ march away from the Column and therefore did not provide the normal protective screen ahead of advancing troops. Its basic task was to gather information for its Column Commander or a group of columns in an operation co-ordinated by Brigade.
Tactical information regarding enemy locations was constantly needed, but there were often more prosaic tasks which the Platoon undertook concerning the terrain over which the Column or columns were to pass to reach their objective.
Before monsoon broke in June 1944 the location of water was often a problem. Mules in particular had to have water more regularly than the men, otherwise they lost condition very quickly. However, a scarcity of watering-points increased the hazard of ambush, or disclosure of a column’s presence and directional course at a time when secrecy was important.
After monsoon started the problem was finding possible river crossing-points. The course of the rivers was mainly north-south falling steeply out of the high mountains of the northeastern Himalayas. Once the monsoon began dry riverbeds became raging torrents in just a few hours. Such conditions cut riverbanks, which were steep-sided and impossible to ford by fully laden mules. Passable crossing-points became infrequent, and again the risk of ambush was greatly increased.
The search for watering places and river crossing-points was a time consuming job, which was increased by the need to maintain a patrolling screen while the column, in a very vulnerable state, could pass through these locations without enemy interception. The other regular task for the platoon was to locate supply dropping zones usually in conjunction with the Column RAF Officer. Such zones needed to be fixed four or more days ahead of the column.
John Riggs meets Her Majesty The Queen in November 2019.
Eric Dickinson
Eric Dickinson led a long life of amazing service to his country, both in the Army in WW2, initially as a Gunner, then as an officer with the King’s Own Royal Regiment (Lancaster), as a Chindit with the 1st South Staffords and, finally, as a Para with 16th (Staffords) Battalion, The Parachute Regiment, and in his 30-year post-war career in the Fire Service. He was also a dedicated family man, husband to his beloved Joy, doting father to Dorothy and June, and much loved grandad and great-grandad many times over. I had the privilege of knowing him in the later years of his life, especially the final few months, during which he not only celebrated his 100th birthday, but also took part in several events that reflected his extraordinary life of service.
In August 2021, Eric and two other Chindits, Ian Niven MBE and Robbie Robertson, accompanied by several family members and other Chindit descendants and supporters, attended a joint ceremony with veterans and supporters of the old Burma Star Association at the National Memorial Arboretum to commemorate the 76th Anniversary of VJ Day. There was a main Act of Remembrance at the Burma Star Memorial, which included an address by Mark Slim, the 3rd Viscount, followed by an additional ceremony at the Chindit Memorial. A BBMF Spitfire then made three low passes right over the Chindit Memorial – an evocative end to an emotional event.
Less than seven weeks later, on 8th October, Eric celebrated his 100th birthday. His family laid on a magnificent lunch party in the Kensington Club in his home town of Maghull, just to the north of Liverpool. Eric’s military service was honoured by representatives from the Staffordshire Regiment and the Mercians (their modern descendants), and from the Paras, and myself from today’s 77th Brigade. His post-war career in the Fire Service was marked by the attendance of the Merseyside Fire Service Heritage Team, resplendent in period uniforms, with a vintage fire engine, and some current Fire Service personnel. Royal Navy D-Day veteran John Dennett, a friend of Eric’s, was also there, thanks to Major Elaine Overend, who has selflessly supported Eric, John and many other WW2 veterans in the Merseyside area over the years.
Speeches were made by former Staffords Brigadier Jim Tanner OBE and Phil Garrigan OBE, the Merseyside Chief Fire Officer no less. After Eric’s own warm and witty response, the beautifully iced cake was cut and enjoyed by all. Overall, it was a wonderfully joyous occasion, hugely enjoyed by all those who were privileged to be there. Two weeks later, on 24 October, Eric was on parade yet again, this time wearing his Para beret, when he attended a ceremony to mark the award of the Freedom of the City of Liverpool to the Liverpool Branch of the Parachute Regimental Association. This was held in the Church of Our Lady and St. Nicholas, close to the Royal Liver Building, with the Freedom Scrolls being presented by the Lord Mayor, Councillor Mary Rasmussen. Eric was applauded as the last remaining WW2 Para in the Liverpool area. D-Day veteran John Dennett was also there to support his friend, again enabled by Major Elaine Overend, who also brought along some of her Cadets from St. Mary’s College CCF, Crosby, who are supported by 4th Battalion, The Parachute Regiment and wear the Para cap badge. Eric and John were star attractions at the post-ceremony drinks and buffet, with everyone queuing up to chat with these living legends. Sadly, Eric fell ill shortly afterwards and passed away on 24th November.
Eric’s funeral at the West Lancashire Crematorium on 9th December was a celebration of his extraordinary life of service, both in the Army and in the Fire Service, wonderfully choreographed by Major Elaine Overend. The Liverpool City Branch of the RBL were represented by D-Day veteran John Dennett, Branch President, and Elaine herself as Chairman. There were also standard bearers from the RBL and various Regimental Associations, including the Paras and the Royal Artillery.
There were also representatives from the Staffordshire Regiment and the Mercians, the Paras, the Chindit Society, 77th Brigade and the Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment whose forebears include the King’s Own Royal Regiment (Lancaster) and the King’s (Liverpool) Regiment. The Merseyside Fire Service provided the bearer party and a Guard of Honour from their Heritage Team, plus a modern fire engine. A piper played at the head of the cortege as it approached the crematorium, and played the lament at the end of the service. A bugler blew Last Post and Reveille before the Committal, and John Dennett gave the Kohima Epitaph. All in all, it was a magnificent send-off for a wonderful man who had led an amazing life.
(Article written by Major Paul Corden, 77 Brigade).
Seen below is a small gallery of images in relation to the above narrative, including two photographs from Eric Dickinson's funeral on the 9th December 2021. Please click on any image to bring it forward on the page.
Eric Dickinson led a long life of amazing service to his country, both in the Army in WW2, initially as a Gunner, then as an officer with the King’s Own Royal Regiment (Lancaster), as a Chindit with the 1st South Staffords and, finally, as a Para with 16th (Staffords) Battalion, The Parachute Regiment, and in his 30-year post-war career in the Fire Service. He was also a dedicated family man, husband to his beloved Joy, doting father to Dorothy and June, and much loved grandad and great-grandad many times over. I had the privilege of knowing him in the later years of his life, especially the final few months, during which he not only celebrated his 100th birthday, but also took part in several events that reflected his extraordinary life of service.
In August 2021, Eric and two other Chindits, Ian Niven MBE and Robbie Robertson, accompanied by several family members and other Chindit descendants and supporters, attended a joint ceremony with veterans and supporters of the old Burma Star Association at the National Memorial Arboretum to commemorate the 76th Anniversary of VJ Day. There was a main Act of Remembrance at the Burma Star Memorial, which included an address by Mark Slim, the 3rd Viscount, followed by an additional ceremony at the Chindit Memorial. A BBMF Spitfire then made three low passes right over the Chindit Memorial – an evocative end to an emotional event.
Less than seven weeks later, on 8th October, Eric celebrated his 100th birthday. His family laid on a magnificent lunch party in the Kensington Club in his home town of Maghull, just to the north of Liverpool. Eric’s military service was honoured by representatives from the Staffordshire Regiment and the Mercians (their modern descendants), and from the Paras, and myself from today’s 77th Brigade. His post-war career in the Fire Service was marked by the attendance of the Merseyside Fire Service Heritage Team, resplendent in period uniforms, with a vintage fire engine, and some current Fire Service personnel. Royal Navy D-Day veteran John Dennett, a friend of Eric’s, was also there, thanks to Major Elaine Overend, who has selflessly supported Eric, John and many other WW2 veterans in the Merseyside area over the years.
Speeches were made by former Staffords Brigadier Jim Tanner OBE and Phil Garrigan OBE, the Merseyside Chief Fire Officer no less. After Eric’s own warm and witty response, the beautifully iced cake was cut and enjoyed by all. Overall, it was a wonderfully joyous occasion, hugely enjoyed by all those who were privileged to be there. Two weeks later, on 24 October, Eric was on parade yet again, this time wearing his Para beret, when he attended a ceremony to mark the award of the Freedom of the City of Liverpool to the Liverpool Branch of the Parachute Regimental Association. This was held in the Church of Our Lady and St. Nicholas, close to the Royal Liver Building, with the Freedom Scrolls being presented by the Lord Mayor, Councillor Mary Rasmussen. Eric was applauded as the last remaining WW2 Para in the Liverpool area. D-Day veteran John Dennett was also there to support his friend, again enabled by Major Elaine Overend, who also brought along some of her Cadets from St. Mary’s College CCF, Crosby, who are supported by 4th Battalion, The Parachute Regiment and wear the Para cap badge. Eric and John were star attractions at the post-ceremony drinks and buffet, with everyone queuing up to chat with these living legends. Sadly, Eric fell ill shortly afterwards and passed away on 24th November.
Eric’s funeral at the West Lancashire Crematorium on 9th December was a celebration of his extraordinary life of service, both in the Army and in the Fire Service, wonderfully choreographed by Major Elaine Overend. The Liverpool City Branch of the RBL were represented by D-Day veteran John Dennett, Branch President, and Elaine herself as Chairman. There were also standard bearers from the RBL and various Regimental Associations, including the Paras and the Royal Artillery.
There were also representatives from the Staffordshire Regiment and the Mercians, the Paras, the Chindit Society, 77th Brigade and the Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment whose forebears include the King’s Own Royal Regiment (Lancaster) and the King’s (Liverpool) Regiment. The Merseyside Fire Service provided the bearer party and a Guard of Honour from their Heritage Team, plus a modern fire engine. A piper played at the head of the cortege as it approached the crematorium, and played the lament at the end of the service. A bugler blew Last Post and Reveille before the Committal, and John Dennett gave the Kohima Epitaph. All in all, it was a magnificent send-off for a wonderful man who had led an amazing life.
(Article written by Major Paul Corden, 77 Brigade).
Seen below is a small gallery of images in relation to the above narrative, including two photographs from Eric Dickinson's funeral on the 9th December 2021. Please click on any image to bring it forward on the page.
Animals in Combat (the book).
The Chindit Society has been in discussion for several months with Nigel Allsopp in creating a memorial in the United Kingdom for all the different animals used in WW2 and in particular during the Burma Campaign. He was been involved in the creation of a number of similar memorials in his native Australia and in other countries around the world. We hope to install a memorial plaque in honour of these silent war heroes at the Chindit/Burma Star section of the National Arboretum in the near future and would like to thank Nigel publicly for all his efforts to this end.
Nigel has also recently published a book on the same subject and information about this release can be viewed by clicking on the following link: au.newhollandpublishers.com/animals-in-combat-9781760795085.html
The Chindit Society has been in discussion for several months with Nigel Allsopp in creating a memorial in the United Kingdom for all the different animals used in WW2 and in particular during the Burma Campaign. He was been involved in the creation of a number of similar memorials in his native Australia and in other countries around the world. We hope to install a memorial plaque in honour of these silent war heroes at the Chindit/Burma Star section of the National Arboretum in the near future and would like to thank Nigel publicly for all his efforts to this end.
Nigel has also recently published a book on the same subject and information about this release can be viewed by clicking on the following link: au.newhollandpublishers.com/animals-in-combat-9781760795085.html
Peter Heppell
The story of Chindit Peter Heppell, who sadly passed away on the 7th August 2022 aged 102, as written by Tony Redding:
Sergeant Peter Francis Heppell, RE, took part in what is widely regarded as the toughest sustained infantry-fighting experience on the Allied side during World War Two. He spent five months in Japanese-held Northern Burma attached to 82 Column of the 1st Battalion, The King’s (Liverpool) Regiment, part of Brigadier Michael Calvert’s 77 Brigade during Operation Thursday - Orde Wingate’s second Chindit campaign to attack enemy supply lines.
Peter was born in London on the 5th March 1920 and educated at Shepperton Grammar School for Boys. His father was a successful commercial artist and the Director of a large London Agency. Peter Heppell attended Art School and later joined his father at S.T. Garland Advertising Agency. He joined the Royal Engineers in May 1940 and served with a chemical warfare unit testing rocket-fired gas canisters. In 1942 Peter went to the Far East with 67 Chemical Warfare Company, but volunteered for “Special Duties” on discovering that he was prohibited from getting closer than 10 miles to the front due to his knowledge of chemical warfare. He was posted to the King’s and filled his backpack with bricks to become accustomed to the 70lb load carried by each Chindit when behind the lines. He was a Sapper in a Section of 82 Column’s Commando Platoon, responsible for booby-trapping and assisting supply drops and river crossings.
He flew into Burma on March 5th 1944 by glider, as part of a night assault landing some 150 miles behind Japanese lines in a clearing codenamed Broadway. The landings were unopposed but the clearing was deeply rutted and the scene became chaotic as wrecked gliders could not be cleared. Incoming gliders collided with those blocking the clearing. Peter recalled those first minutes on the ground: “... something made me run for it. Then another glider hit ours ... causing a number of casualties. The incoming glider’s wing also knocked off my bush-hat.” When he looked inside his glider, all he could see was a collection of rifle muzzles: “It appeared that some of our blokes has been forced underneath. My next memory is of more gliders coming in, with the sound of them hitting the ground or crashing into the jungle.”
During that first morning at Broadway, only half of Peter’s Section was present. His officer asked him to take on a traumatic job: “Our second glider overshot the strip and landed in the trees. Two or three at the very back of the glider got out but all the rest were killed.” He was asked to set fire to the glider, as this was the best that could be done. This was a request – not an order – and Peter declined. He got on with the operational priority – helping to improve the clearing to take C-47 transports bringing in the main force. Later, Peter was comforted on learning that the bodies in that glider were retrieved and now rest at Taukkyan War Cemetery. Peter’s Section began using hand tools to create a rough airstrip, alongside a small tractor and scraper landed by glider. He told his men they would get no tea until they had done their share.
The Dakota strip was ready by early evening and the first C-47 landed at 7.10 pm. “Within an hour or so of completion, Broadway strip was an amazing sight, with flares blazing and planes coming in with their lights on.” Broadway was the main Chindit base for future operations attacking Japanese supply lines and facilities in North Burma. The King’s 82 Column stayed in the vicinity of Broadway, contributing to an active defence of the base perimeter. The men became very attached to their mules and Peter remembered the loss of “Rosie”, a favourite. She lost her footing and fell into a ravine. Her Muleteer climbed down to put her out of her misery and returned with his eyes full of tears. His comrades were amazed to witness this as he had a reputation as a tough character.
As the weeks passed, slow starvation and disease took their toll. Peter Heppell had deteriorated but refused to be evacuated. His Column came under fire in complete darkness as they made their way north towards a new block on the main south-north railway, known as Blackpool. Peter Heppell and his Section had already crossed the road on their stomachs when the firing began. They made it to Blackpool just as the Monsoon broke. This block was poorly sited and the fighting was savage. The Chindits ran out of ammunition and the Block was overrun. Over 2,000 men escaped with their lives. Peter was wounded by a mortar bomb and had shrapnel in the left leg: “I felt relieved that the fragments had missed the three primed grenades in my pocket. I had just one thought in mind: the only way to get out of here is to walk.” He hobbled along, later discovering that his family had been told that he was wounded and missing. The very badly wounded at Blackpool were shot, to prevent them falling into Japanese hands. Peter helped carry out the stretcher cases who could be moved.In the hills, drenched in Monsoon rain, many of those escaping Blackpool found themselves unsuccessfully chewing broiled mule meat. Many escaped from Indawgyi Lake by river, with Sgt. Heppell in charge of a modest boat – two native canoes lashed together and fitted with an air-dropped outboard. Peter’s troubles with his leg wound multiplied thanks to a massive jungle sore on the same limb. He was flown out to India by Dakota: “When I landed, I saw some ex-prisoners-of-war. They looked even worse than we did.”
Peter Heppell and family members stood together at the Broadway clearing in March 2006. It was his third return to Burma. He had landed on that clearing on his 24th birthday all those years ago and had returned 62 years and one day later. The clearing was three-quarters of a mile across. They found foxholes and dugouts; little had changed with the passing of the decades. They nailed a brass commemorative plaque on a teak tree and Peter recited the Kohima Epitaph.
Peter Heppell’s funeral was held on the 30th August 2022 at St. Richard’s Chapel, part of the Surrey and Sussex Crematorium in Crawley and was well attended by his family and friends. Peter was a wonderful man, incredibly humble and unassuming, a role model to us all in so many ways.
The story of Chindit Peter Heppell, who sadly passed away on the 7th August 2022 aged 102, as written by Tony Redding:
Sergeant Peter Francis Heppell, RE, took part in what is widely regarded as the toughest sustained infantry-fighting experience on the Allied side during World War Two. He spent five months in Japanese-held Northern Burma attached to 82 Column of the 1st Battalion, The King’s (Liverpool) Regiment, part of Brigadier Michael Calvert’s 77 Brigade during Operation Thursday - Orde Wingate’s second Chindit campaign to attack enemy supply lines.
Peter was born in London on the 5th March 1920 and educated at Shepperton Grammar School for Boys. His father was a successful commercial artist and the Director of a large London Agency. Peter Heppell attended Art School and later joined his father at S.T. Garland Advertising Agency. He joined the Royal Engineers in May 1940 and served with a chemical warfare unit testing rocket-fired gas canisters. In 1942 Peter went to the Far East with 67 Chemical Warfare Company, but volunteered for “Special Duties” on discovering that he was prohibited from getting closer than 10 miles to the front due to his knowledge of chemical warfare. He was posted to the King’s and filled his backpack with bricks to become accustomed to the 70lb load carried by each Chindit when behind the lines. He was a Sapper in a Section of 82 Column’s Commando Platoon, responsible for booby-trapping and assisting supply drops and river crossings.
He flew into Burma on March 5th 1944 by glider, as part of a night assault landing some 150 miles behind Japanese lines in a clearing codenamed Broadway. The landings were unopposed but the clearing was deeply rutted and the scene became chaotic as wrecked gliders could not be cleared. Incoming gliders collided with those blocking the clearing. Peter recalled those first minutes on the ground: “... something made me run for it. Then another glider hit ours ... causing a number of casualties. The incoming glider’s wing also knocked off my bush-hat.” When he looked inside his glider, all he could see was a collection of rifle muzzles: “It appeared that some of our blokes has been forced underneath. My next memory is of more gliders coming in, with the sound of them hitting the ground or crashing into the jungle.”
During that first morning at Broadway, only half of Peter’s Section was present. His officer asked him to take on a traumatic job: “Our second glider overshot the strip and landed in the trees. Two or three at the very back of the glider got out but all the rest were killed.” He was asked to set fire to the glider, as this was the best that could be done. This was a request – not an order – and Peter declined. He got on with the operational priority – helping to improve the clearing to take C-47 transports bringing in the main force. Later, Peter was comforted on learning that the bodies in that glider were retrieved and now rest at Taukkyan War Cemetery. Peter’s Section began using hand tools to create a rough airstrip, alongside a small tractor and scraper landed by glider. He told his men they would get no tea until they had done their share.
The Dakota strip was ready by early evening and the first C-47 landed at 7.10 pm. “Within an hour or so of completion, Broadway strip was an amazing sight, with flares blazing and planes coming in with their lights on.” Broadway was the main Chindit base for future operations attacking Japanese supply lines and facilities in North Burma. The King’s 82 Column stayed in the vicinity of Broadway, contributing to an active defence of the base perimeter. The men became very attached to their mules and Peter remembered the loss of “Rosie”, a favourite. She lost her footing and fell into a ravine. Her Muleteer climbed down to put her out of her misery and returned with his eyes full of tears. His comrades were amazed to witness this as he had a reputation as a tough character.
As the weeks passed, slow starvation and disease took their toll. Peter Heppell had deteriorated but refused to be evacuated. His Column came under fire in complete darkness as they made their way north towards a new block on the main south-north railway, known as Blackpool. Peter Heppell and his Section had already crossed the road on their stomachs when the firing began. They made it to Blackpool just as the Monsoon broke. This block was poorly sited and the fighting was savage. The Chindits ran out of ammunition and the Block was overrun. Over 2,000 men escaped with their lives. Peter was wounded by a mortar bomb and had shrapnel in the left leg: “I felt relieved that the fragments had missed the three primed grenades in my pocket. I had just one thought in mind: the only way to get out of here is to walk.” He hobbled along, later discovering that his family had been told that he was wounded and missing. The very badly wounded at Blackpool were shot, to prevent them falling into Japanese hands. Peter helped carry out the stretcher cases who could be moved.In the hills, drenched in Monsoon rain, many of those escaping Blackpool found themselves unsuccessfully chewing broiled mule meat. Many escaped from Indawgyi Lake by river, with Sgt. Heppell in charge of a modest boat – two native canoes lashed together and fitted with an air-dropped outboard. Peter’s troubles with his leg wound multiplied thanks to a massive jungle sore on the same limb. He was flown out to India by Dakota: “When I landed, I saw some ex-prisoners-of-war. They looked even worse than we did.”
Peter Heppell and family members stood together at the Broadway clearing in March 2006. It was his third return to Burma. He had landed on that clearing on his 24th birthday all those years ago and had returned 62 years and one day later. The clearing was three-quarters of a mile across. They found foxholes and dugouts; little had changed with the passing of the decades. They nailed a brass commemorative plaque on a teak tree and Peter recited the Kohima Epitaph.
Peter Heppell’s funeral was held on the 30th August 2022 at St. Richard’s Chapel, part of the Surrey and Sussex Crematorium in Crawley and was well attended by his family and friends. Peter was a wonderful man, incredibly humble and unassuming, a role model to us all in so many ways.
Seen below is a gallery of images in relation to the above narrative, including a photograph of Peter and his family at the location of the Broadway landing ground on March 6th 2006. Please click on any image to bring it forward on the page.
