My Grandfather served from 1938 till 1946 and on his service card it shows that he was posted to India and was attached to HQ Special force Which I am led to believe was the Chindit force. I do not really understand what his service record is telling me or if what i have found out is correct. also if anyone has any pictures of the men of the Essex Regiment As I do not have any pictures of my Grandfather. Any help gratefully received. I have attached a copy of his service record Regards Richard Fitzgerald
Hi Richard, HQ for Special Force was at Gwailor in Madhya Pradesh. Wingate opened Operation Thursday from there on the 25th October 1943. I've bumped this post back up to the top in the hope that someone with better Chindit 2 knowledge might add some more information for you. Best wishes Steve
Thanks Steve, any help is really useful as I do not understnad the abreviations on the service record and cannot seem to find anywhere to explain them to me. Cheers Richard
Thanks lesley, that helps ot make sense of some of the postings, is there a way of finding out which actions the 44th & 56th columns were involved in as the Essex regimental site does not give an details Regards Richard
Just received a letter form the MOD Medal Office confirming that my grandfather was awarded 1939-45 Star Burma Star Defence Medal War Medal 1939-45 I now know that he was definitely in Burma and now really want to find out what he did when he was there, can anyone help? Thanks
Hi TD yes i have spoken to them and they are going to put a piece in the next issue, and I am going to visit the National Archives in a couple of months.... when I get time just wondered/hoped if anyone had already done some research or had served with the Essex Regiment and might be able to help me.
Hi Richard, There is also the Chindit Old Comrades Association and the 'Friends of the Chindits', they might have an idea if there are any 1 Essex veterans still with us. Addresses are on the bottom part of this page on my website: http://www.chinditslongcloth1943.com/sources-and-knowledge.html