Chindit Reunion

Discussion in 'Burma & India' started by eddie chandler, Jun 7, 2011.

  1. bamboo43

    bamboo43 Very Senior Member

    Im still looking cant see the fella :lol: but seriously well done to you for all your stirling work and great to see you had such a good time and a book to boot as well;)


    Your eyesight is clearly defective in some way due to all the books you read!!!
     
  2. Assam

    Assam Senior Member

    Thanks guys, i really enjoyed reading this thread & looking at the pics. Who is the Officer sporting the MC? was it an award for chinidt operations or at a later time?

    It does however irk me that being in the antipodes, I have virtually no access to chat with those that served in Burma & the NE Frontier, sometimes I wish I had stayed in England when I had the opportunity - my knowledge would have been greatly enhanced.

    Regards

    Simon
     
  3. Beanie8

    Beanie8 Junior Member

    Hi,

    It was a few years ago now I met a man (79 I think) in Burton. He had a seroius medical problem and my boss didn't think he could cope with the treatment. I went to see him and, as is my habit, specifically asked about the war. "I was a Chindit, don't suppose you know what that is?". I told him that I did, and that I knew a little about how they fought behind enemy lines with limited suplies. I dont remeber exactly but I think I suggested they were resupplied by the Americans. "The Americans! Cowards. First sign of the Japs and they ran for it!". I remember having a conversation trying to sugest the American Re-Supply planes might have had a good reason to pull back.

    The veteren was prety fit for his age and I went back to my boss to try and persuade him he was fit for treatment. "He's a Chindit!" I said. "He will be tougher than he looks". My boss had never heard of the Chindits so I explained what they had done. I dont know if it made a difference or not, but the guy did get his treatment in the end.

    I'm sorry I dont rember any more details of the conversation, but it was a long time ago.

    Regards,

    Ian
     
  4. bamboo43

    bamboo43 Very Senior Member

    Hi,

    It was a few years ago now I met a man (79 I think) in Burton. He had a seroius medical problem and my boss didn't think he could cope with the treatment. I went to see him and, as is my habit, specifically asked about the war. "I was a Chindit, don't suppose you know what that is?". I told him that I did, and that I knew a little about how they fought behind enemy lines with limited suplies. I dont remeber exactly but I think I suggested they were resupplied by the Americans. "The Americans! Cowards. First sign of the Japs and they ran for it!". I remember having a conversation trying to sugest the American Re-Supply planes might have had a good reason to pull back.

    The veteren was prety fit for his age and I went back to my boss to try and persuade him he was fit for treatment. "He's a Chindit!" I said. "He will be tougher than he looks". My boss had never heard of the Chindits so I explained what they had done. I dont know if it made a difference or not, but the guy did get his treatment in the end.

    I'm sorry I dont rember any more details of the conversation, but it was a long time ago.

    Regards,

    Ian

    Hi Ian,

    Those boys never pull any punches regardless of their age.:)
     
  5. spider

    spider Very Senior Member

    My first attempt at anything like that on Photoshop, so my apologies for any major glitches in the editing!

    Which one is Major Glitches :unsure:
     
  6. eddie chandler

    eddie chandler Senior Member

  7. eddie chandler

    eddie chandler Senior Member

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    Attached Files:

  8. wtid45

    wtid45 Very Senior Member

    Eddie, great to see those medals up with the DCM in pride of place, and I noticed a name I know of in your list Les Cherrington is from Bristol and a member of Staple Hill, British Legion I was only reading about him and three other Burma Star members this afternoon and I was wondering who of the four was still with us........ plus it crossed my mind if you or Steve knew of him!......... as the article I read was a couple of years old, so I was pleasantly surprised to learn that at least one is still with us and on my doorstep to boot, and nice to see those signatures in your book;)
     
  9. bamboo43

    bamboo43 Very Senior Member

    Looks like you had a great time Eddie, nice one mate. You're in with Nev now mate, there's no turning back from there.:D

    I notice from the signatures that there is a 562 Devonshire regiment soldier, was that Les Cherrington? No Longcloth boys I don't suppose?
     
  10. eddie chandler

    eddie chandler Senior Member

    Yes steve it was Les. 5625075 no only those that I have listed. Paul helped me to get a couple of sigs that are normally difficult to get hold of. Looks like Jason will be able to be part of next Exeter visit steve and hopefully you too next year.
     
  11. wtid45

    wtid45 Very Senior Member

    Yes steve it was Les. 5625075 no only those that I have listed. Paul helped me to get a couple of sigs that are normally difficult to get hold of. Looks like Jason will be able to be part of next Exeter visit steve and hopefully you too next year.
    In regards to Les here is the article I refered to it has a picture of Les and at the time the three other Burma Star members, and I very much look forward to attending next years reunion and although I have no Chindit connections I cant help but wonder if my Dad or Uncle ever came across this fine body of men during thier time in Burma. Not long for Burma Star Association of Burma veterans| Bristol News | This Is Bristol | This is Bristol
     
  12. eddie chandler

    eddie chandler Senior Member

  13. bamboo43

    bamboo43 Very Senior Member

    Jason,

    I have looked through my Longcloth Excel list and Les is on it, as a possible 1943. I found some detail on him about 3 years ago from a Burma Star contact. Have you mentioned him to me before?

    He would have been a young Chindit in 1943, around 23 years old.

    It was the Devonshire service number that provoked me to look, not many of these on 'Thursday'.:)

    The Excel has well over 2000 names but I can usually sense if someone is on it.:)
     
  14. eddie chandler

    eddie chandler Senior Member

  15. bamboo43

    bamboo43 Very Senior Member

    Steve / Jason

    Les was attached to Leicesters. Id spoken to him prior to the reunion. But now you've put doubt in my mind. I can give him a call to double check.

    Ed

    Ed, I'm sure you are correct. I have spoken to another Devon who ended up 2 Leicesters. Just got over excited by all the new contacts that have come my way since I've been home.

    I picked up another 13KLR from the Special Forces website on Sunday and the new forum member Mes has contacted me in regard to a famous Chindit POW and his memoirs, so I thought maybe it was the third piece of luck in just a couple of days.:)
     
  16. eddie chandler

    eddie chandler Senior Member

  17. bamboo43

    bamboo43 Very Senior Member

    Wow thats such good news, we will have to get together at some stage and talk about all these findings. You might help me concentrate my efforts again.

    Aah meant to say that in the new book that photo that is in there that maybe of thomas so I may be able to speak to the person who owns it if a ask tony to make contact for me.

    Even better news, they just phoned me literally 10 minutes ago. Very promising indeed.:D
     
  18. wtid45

    wtid45 Very Senior Member

    Jason,

    I have looked through my Longcloth Excel list and Les is on it, as a possible 1943. I found some detail on him about 3 years ago from a Burma Star contact. Have you mentioned him to me before?

    He would have been a young Chindit in 1943, around 23 years old.

    It was the Devonshire service number that provoked me to look, not many of these on 'Thursday'.:)

    The Excel has well over 2000 names but I can usually sense if someone is on it.:)
    Steve no mate I have not brought Les up before.......... although I do have a funny feeling of telling you of a Chindit local to me but seem to recall at the time saying I was not sure if he was still alive.

    Steve / Jason

    Les was attached to Leicesters. Id spoken to him prior to the reunion. But now you've put doubt in my mind. I can give him a call to double check.

    Ed
    Eddie, Be great to see how this pans out.......... and with Les in mind I will be sending you a PM shortly........
     
  19. bamboo43

    bamboo43 Very Senior Member

    Hi Jason,

    I have Les down as unconfirmed, and I think Eddie has put me straight on this one.

    My good news is, tonight I have spoken to the family of one of the other soldiers with my Grandad on dispersal in April/May 1943. One of a group of 6 men attempting to reach the Yunnan borders.

    This means I have contacts for 4 of the group, hopefully with some new info and better still a photo, I can build their story for the website.

    Two more to find, onwards.............:)
     
  20. eddie chandler

    eddie chandler Senior Member

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