The Chindit Society

Discussion in 'Burma & India' started by bamboo43, Mar 21, 2016.

  1. Hebridean Chindit

    Hebridean Chindit Lost in review... Patron

    Err... which reminds me... :D

    (Notes forthcoming...)
     
  2. bamboo43

    bamboo43 Very Senior Member

    Hi Mate,

    Don't send me notes, send a polished and interesting article. :D
     
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  3. Hebridean Chindit

    Hebridean Chindit Lost in review... Patron

    YAS-SAH...! :salut: :D
     
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  4. bamboo43

    bamboo43 Very Senior Member

    Good man. :moh:
     
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  5. bamboo43

    bamboo43 Very Senior Member

     
  6. bamboo43

    bamboo43 Very Senior Member

    Photos from the memorial service for the 75th Anniversary of Chindit 2. March 3rd 2019:

    DSC01395 copy 2.JPG DSC01407 copy 2.JPG DSC01410 copy 2.JPG DSC01419 copy 2.JPG DSC01432 copy 2.JPG
     
  7. bamboo43

    bamboo43 Very Senior Member

    The 75th Anniversary of Operation Thursday was commemorated at the new 77 Brigade's Hermitage Barracks over the weekend 22/23 June. The event was a fantastic success, with a whole host of entertainments and displays. Sadly, I was unable to attend myself due to family illness which was a great disappointment as you all can imagine. However, several of my contributions still made it to Hermitage, including a 470 + photographic slideshow of Chindit soldiers from the various columns.

    Photographs to follow.
     
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  8. bamboo43

    bamboo43 Very Senior Member

    Here is last weekends itinerary, obviously I could not give the POW talk in the end :

    FRIDAY 21 JUNE

    PM Those staying in military accommodation on camp on Friday night arrive, take over their rooms and have an informal dinner in the Officers’ Mess (available 1900-2030)

    SATURDAY 22 JUNE

    0830-1000 Breakfast in the WOs & Sgts’ Mess - only for those who stayed overnight

    1000-1100 Everyone gathers at the WOs & Sgts’ Mess in the Ante Room and on the Patio - please refrain from trying to visit the Stands while final preparations are being made

    1100-1630 Stands available for people to visit, including: Chindit weapons and equipment (including real live mules), Chindit memorabilia, Chindit Society merchandise, and today’s 77thBrigade

    A fly-past by a Spitfire of the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight has been promised – time TBC

    1230-1400 Lunch – cold buffet

    1430-1530 Presentations on today’s 77th Brigade and Operation Thursday (Tony Redding) – Ante Room

    1530-1630 Tea and cake

    1630-1730 Return to accommodation/hotels and rest/change for dinner

    1800-1830 Gather at the Officers’ Mess

    1830-1915 Sunset Ceremony – Officers’ Mess Garden (with the Band of the 7th Rifles)

    1930-0100 Chindit Reunion Dinner – Officers’ Mess Dining Room

    SUNDAY 23 JUNE

    0830-1000 Breakfast in the WOs & Sgts’ Mess – available for all (including those off-site)

    1000-1230 Veterans’ Forum and Steve Fogden's Chindit POW other presentation - WOs & Sgts’ Mess

    1230-1400 Curry Lunch – 1940’s themed music in background

    1400-1500 Disperse
     
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  9. bamboo43

    bamboo43 Very Senior Member

    As promised, some photographs from the 75th Anniversary event 22/23 June 2019:

    A Table Setting copy.jpg Chindit Sid Machin at the Mules Stand copy.jpg Cutting the Cake copy.JPG The Mules Stand (2) copy.JPG The Spitfire (2) copy.JPG The Spitfire Fly-Past copy.jpg The Mules Stand copy.JPG The Veterans + The Chindit Society Committee copy.jpg
     
  10. bamboo43

    bamboo43 Very Senior Member

    The decision has been made for another cohort of Chindit veterans to march at this year's Cenotaph parade. After the success of last year it wasn't a difficult conclusion to come to, although our vets are now of course just that little bit older.
     
  11. bamboo43

    bamboo43 Very Senior Member

    There is also now possibility that we will also be attending the Festival of Remembrance at the Albert Hall, as part of The Royal British Legion's Veterans of 44.
     
  12. bamboo43

    bamboo43 Very Senior Member

    Hebridean Chindit and CL1 like this.
  13. bamboo43

    bamboo43 Very Senior Member

    Eight Chindits marched at the Cenotaph this year (2019):

    • Colonel Mercer: 7th Battalion, The Nigeria Regiment. Mentioned in Despatches for gallantry.

    • Jim Clark: 1st Battalion, King’s (Liverpool) Regiment. Served with 81 Column, 77 Brigade. Flew in during March 1944.

    • Peter Heppell: Royal Engineers, attached to 1st King’s Regiment, 82 Column, 77 Brigade. Flew in by glider on his 24th birthday, March 5, 1944. Helped prepare a jungle airstrip for Dakotas flying in the main force.

    • John Hutchin: 1st Battalion, South Staffordshire Regiment, 80 Column, 77 Brigade. Landed behind the lines, aged 19. Saw fierce fighting. Wounded by a mortar bomb.

    • Ian Niven: Signaller with 1st Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers. Fought in the savage battles at White City railway “Block” and the town of Mogaung. In later life, presented with an MBE for services to football and youth development.

    • Alby Gibson: 1st Battalion, South Staffordshire Regiment. Saw close quarters combat. His Platoon Commander, Lt. George Cairns, was awarded a posthumous VC.

    • Sid Machin: King’s (Liverpool) Regiment, Signaller in 81 Column. Flew in by glider on March 5 1944.

    • Horace Howkins: 1st Battalion, South Staffordshire Regiment – 80 Column, 77 Brigade. Wounded by a grenade whilst blowing up a railway line.


    Cenotaph 1 copy.jpg Cenotaph 2 copy.jpg Cenotaph 3 copy.jpg Cenotaph 4 copy.jpg Cenotaph 5.jpg Chindit Mem 2.jpg Chindit Mem 3.jpg Chindit Mem. 1.jpg Chindit Memorial November 2019 copy.JPG
     
  14. bamboo43

    bamboo43 Very Senior Member

    Just a heads up to say that four of our remaining Chindit veterans have now or are just about to reach their 100th birthday:

    Peter Heppell: Royal Engineers, attached to 1st King’s Regiment, 82 Column, 77 Brigade. Flew in by glider on his 24th birthday, March 5, 1944. Helped prepare a jungle airstrip for Dakotas flying in the main force.

    Colonel Charles Mercer: 7th Battalion, The Nigeria Regiment. Mentioned in Despatches for gallantry.

    John Riggs: 16 Column Recce platoon leader during Operation Thursday.

    Kulbahadur Gurung: 6 Gurkha Rifles on Operation Thursday.

    Well done and congratulations to all four. :cheers:
     
  15. bamboo43

    bamboo43 Very Senior Member

    I had the great pleasure yesterday evening of attending the 100th birthday celebrations of Peter Heppell. These were held at in the Sergeant’s Mess of the present day 77Brigade in Thatcham. It was a wonderful occasion including dinner, speeches and presentations. Peter, as always was his gentlemanly self, but was clearly touched by the whole event.
    Photographs to follow shortly.
     
    Last edited: Mar 7, 2020
  16. Father Peter Clegg

    Father Peter Clegg Padre Peter D. Clegg

    I would like to join The Chindit Society.
    My Father, Harry Clegg was a member of 77 Brigade.
    With thanks.
    Revd Padre Peter Clegg
     
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  17. bamboo43

    bamboo43 Very Senior Member

    Hello Peter,

    We would love for you to join the Society, please follow the link here to our website and details for membership are provided: About the Chindits - The Chindit Society

    Do you know which regiment your father served with?
     
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  18. JimHerriot

    JimHerriot Ready for Anything

    For bamboo43 especially, but also for all others who post here.

    I found the sheet I had printed off from the internet prior to attending the auction last week. Sheet duly scanned and posted up here by way of information (It sold for the hammer price of £280, and worth every penny in my opinion).

    Too much for me on the day unfortunately, and I will always look upon it as the one that got away. I don't doubt though that the winning bidder will give it a good home.

    Kind regards, always,

    Jim.

    Silk Escape Map.jpg
     
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  19. High Wood

    High Wood Well-Known Member

    An orange escape map that belonged to a Gurkha officer in Morris Force sold for £211.00 on Ebay last week. The price for these maps has been steadily rising for the last few years.
     
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  20. JimHerriot

    JimHerriot Ready for Anything

    Thank you for the update High Wood (I don't do the ebay thing so your information is an eye opener for me).

    Rarity and the resurgence in matters military for the younger generation is driving the prices I guess.

    Good fortune to the new owner(s), they are privileged to have such items in their custody.

    Kind regards, always,

    Jim.
     

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