The Passing of the Chindits
It is with great sadness that we report the passing of the last two Members of the Association who served with the Chindits in Burma during World War 2. Major John Chesshire MC died on 27th November 2011 and Major Paul Griffin MBE died on 29th January 2012.
John Chesshire was the Medical Officer of the 1st South Staffords, part of 77 Brigade together with our 3rd Battalion. He became MO for 3/6th on return to India after the battle of Mogaung. To read the citation for his MC go to this link.
Paul Griffin joined the 3/6th straight from school in 1941 while the Battalion was engaged on operations in Waziristan. Becoming a Major by the age of 23, he remained with 3/6th until the end of the War. After the War John had a successful career as a teacher and won awards for his poetry. He was awarded his MBE while Principal of the English School in Nicosia, Cyprus during the time of the EOKA Emergency. In 1991 he attended the events surrounding the presentation of Michael Allmand's VC to the Regiment in Hong Kong. His poems will be much missed in our Journal.
Obituaries for both these gallant men will be published in the next Journal.
The Late Rifleman Sachin Limbu 1 RGR
Many of you will have picked up in the press the sad news of this brave young Gurkha soldier. On the 2nd January he finally succumbed to the horrific wounds (losing both legs just below his stomach and numerous other injuries) sustained in an IED explosion on duty in Helmand on 19th June 2010. Against huge odds he fought to live and that he did so for so many months is a testament to his determination and courage and to the skill and care of the staff at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham. Our thoughts are with his family and friends. His father is retired WO2 Dillisher Limbu, Drum Major of 7GR then 2 RGR.
From the following, published in the April/May 2011 edition of Parbate and written by one of Sachin's contemporaries, it is clear that his struggle was an inspiration to all who knew him. It now makes a fitting tribute.
Dr Graham's Homes Earthquake Appeal
Richard Lowe has been asked by Lt General Johnny Mukherjee (Assam Regiment Indian Army), the Board Chairman of Dr Graham’s Homes, to help in raising funds for the Dr Graham's Homes Earthquake Appeal. General Johnny was Colonel of the Assam Regiment. He attended Staff College at Camberley and is now retired.
The Gurkha Museum Luncheon Club 2012
The Curator of the Museum, Gerald Davies, asks if other Association Members would like to register to become members of The Gurkha Museum Luncheon Club. It will most likely to be of interest to those who live or work within a reasonable distance of Winchester. The Club is not part of the GBA, but draws on members of Associations within the Brigade.
Gurkha Museum Pokhara Update
The Gurkha Memorial Museum in Pokhara, Nepal is still looking for items of memorabilia for display. This notice updates the information published earlier.
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