The Chindit Society

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

  1. bamboo43

    bamboo43 Very Senior Member

    Welcome aboard.:)
     
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  2. bamboo43

    bamboo43 Very Senior Member

  3. bamboo43

    bamboo43 Very Senior Member

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  4. bamboo43

    bamboo43 Very Senior Member

    The fifth Society newsletter is available from my website pages. Also featured are articles and photographs from some of the more recent Chindit veteran's outings:

    The Chindit Society
     
    Last edited: May 2, 2018
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  5. PsyWar.Org

    PsyWar.Org Archive monkey

    Very interesting newsletter Steve, was it really over ten years ago that Pun VC settled in the UK? Tempus Fugit!

    Lee
     
  6. bamboo43

    bamboo43 Very Senior Member

    Thanks Lee. I have no idea where the time goes these days.
     
  7. bamboo43

    bamboo43 Very Senior Member

    It is with great sadness that I have to announce the recent passing of Reg Salisbury (1st Essex Regiment on Chindit 2) and Bill Smyly, Animal Transport officer for 5 Column in 1943 and 16th Brigade in 1944. Both soldiers were absolute gentlemen and great stalwarts of the Old Comrades Association and lately of the Chindit Society. :poppy: :poppy:

    Reg Salisbury copy 3.jpg Smyly W. 1942 4.jpg
     
  8. Hebridean Chindit

    Hebridean Chindit Lost in review... Patron

    That day's getting closer, me Ol' Bamboo... rip... :poppy: :poppy:
     
  9. bamboo43

    bamboo43 Very Senior Member

    Thanks HC. Very sad to lose both Reg and Bill so close to the 75th Anniversary event at the National Arboretum in June. As you say, sands of time wait for no man.
     
  10. Hebridean Chindit

    Hebridean Chindit Lost in review... Patron

    Bill was one of the last Blackpool veterans... Other that one Gent in Ullapool I cannot remember of any others...?
     
  11. bamboo43

    bamboo43 Very Senior Member

    That's right HC. He has been the main source of Longcloth information for a good while now. We still have 50-60 Chindits around, but very few of these are fit enough to attend functions. Without them as the focus, I'm not sure how long the reunions etc. will last.
     
  12. bamboo43

    bamboo43 Very Senior Member

    Gearing up now in readiness for the 75th Anniversary of Operation Longcloth celebrations at the National Arboretum on Saturday. Lots still to do, but its quite exciting.
     
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  13. bamboo43

    bamboo43 Very Senior Member

    Reporting back a wonderful day on Saturday, as we commemorated the 75th Anniversary of Operation Longcloth. Six veterans formed the focus of the event, which included a memorial service at the National Arboretum, attended by around 120 people, followed by wreath laying at the Chindit Memorial and a Reunion Dinner back at Walsall, the traditional home of the Old Comrades Association.

    IMG_1516.JPG IMG_1523.JPG IMG_1530.JPG IMG_1533.JPG IMG_1538.JPG 20180609_142030.jpg 20180609_233404-COLLAGE.jpg chindit order of day copy 2.jpg
     
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  14. lionboxer

    lionboxer Member

    Well done to all those who participated and those who organised it.
     
  15. Hebridean Chindit

    Hebridean Chindit Lost in review... Patron

    Nice to have had so many present... sad that there are now so few of them left... :poppy:
     
  16. bamboo43

    bamboo43 Very Senior Member

    Thanks Gents, it really was a great day. Now we do it all again for next year!!
     
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  17. bamboo43

    bamboo43 Very Senior Member

    I was pleased to attend Bill Smyly's funeral today in Bedford. A fabulous turn-out of well over 200 friends and family gathered at St. Andrew's Church, Kimbolton Road. A Gurkha Piper played Bill in to church and there were no fewer than 10 Standard Bearers present. I learned a lot more about Bill Smyly the man this afternoon and his quite remarkable life.
     
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  18. Pete Keane

    Pete Keane Senior Member

    Well done on your enduring support for the guys Steve.
     
  19. bamboo43

    bamboo43 Very Senior Member

    Thanks Pete. A few images to show what a great send-off Bill had:

    12.jpg 14.jpg 16.jpg
     
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  20. bamboo43

    bamboo43 Very Senior Member

    This Remembrance Sunday will see the return of a Chindit contingent marching in the Cenotaph parade. The veterans will be asked to take their places in wheelchairs, this mainly to enable the platoon to move in unison and the vets will be pushed by members of the recently formed 77 Brigade, known as the Cyber Chindits by the media.

    It is likely that the Chindits will feature quite early in the march past, but still with over 2000 participants marching before us. Looking forward to next week and hoping for decent weather. Not too cold and not too wet.
     

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