The Chindit Society

Well, what a day we had on Sunday. Weather held out for the veterans and eleven Chindits took part in the Cenotaph march past as planned. The lead group insisted on getting up from their wheelchairs and marching as they passed over their wreath. We were in line just in front of a Dutch contingent 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 acting as rearguard in case of the unforeseen.

A beautiful and very proud day, as you can see from the photos below.

 

Well done, and proud you deserve to be...!

 

Thanks HC. Those gents were magnificent on Sunday, such determination to march under their own steam.

 

Amazing to see them. Are you aware of any Chindit Vets from the Beds and Herts ( column 16 and 61)

Alex.

 

Hi Alex,

Only our dear friend John Riggs. As you are probably aware, John is not able to travel now since his move, although if they left the door open I'm sure he would dive straight out.

Steve

 

Since Sunday afternoon, the Chindit Society has received many new family enquiries. I will be extremely busy for the next few days it would seem!!

 

Hi.
Yes I omitted to say I know John ( I live a few miles away). Would love to know if any other Beds and Herts guys are out there.

 

Hi Steve, do you have the names of the Chindit Vets? The Brigades/Regiments they served with?
Thank you, Veronica.

 

Yes, I do Veronica. The following Chindits marched on Sunday, the youngest being 94, the oldest 99:

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.

 

I still have not surfaced from dealing with new enquiries, sparked by Remembrance Sunday. At the last count we were up to 55.

 

Great stuff.
Any column 16 or 61 men please let me know !
Alex

 

Thanks Alex, will do. Of course, not all new enquiries can be confirmed as Chindits. Probably 50 % are advised to apply for their soldiers Army Service Records and then return.

 

Would be fascinating to figure how a 1st Cameronian ended up in 61 Column, me Ol' China...

 

Hi Mate,

Good point there. I really only copied down what I had been given by the organisers. I'll check this one out, shouldn't take long.

 

My point being the 1st Beds and Herts ( column 16 and 61) was my grandads unit, so I was politely asking if anyone comes forward from that unit ( or surviving family members etc) please could he let me know.
Alex

 

Thanks Alex. I'm going to enquire if Thomas Parker was actually with 61 Column, or whether this was an error on the listing for the Cenotaph March. I myself do not hold any personal contact details for survivng veterans.

 

Confession time:
I did not even notice you had that chap listed as 61 column!!!
Will be interesting to find out! You never know as there was definitely a chap from the South Wales Borderers within that column

Alex

 

The Chindit Society opens up this year's commemorations for the 75th Anniversary of the second Wingate expedition, Operation Thursday; with a service at the Chindit Memorial next Sunday the 3rd March. This is to coincide with the glider assault landings in Burma on the 5th March 1944.

 

The Chindit Society memorial service for the 75th Anniversary of the Broadway Glider assault, on Sunday last was a wonderful success in spite of the foul weather on the day. One hundred plus attendees took part in a short service at the Chindit Memorial followed by a luncheon next door in New Scotland Yard.

Photos to follow.

 

The seventh edition of the Chindit Column newsletter is available to download here:

New Resource - Chindit Society Spring 2019 Newsletter