大象传媒

2 Div (Cross Keys) have organised a Memorial Service at York Cathedral
on Tuesday 26 April 2005
to remember those that gave their lives
at Kohima
stopping the Japanese from entering India.

The Service starts at 1100hrs and will be
attended by survivors of the battle for
Kohima. This is followed by a wreath laying ceremony at the Kohima Memorial
and a buffet lunch at the barracks.

By coincidence the 26 April date happens
to be the 61st anniversary of my being
wounded during an attack on a Jap bunker
on Merema Ridge. Lt Bob Elkin was killed
earlier that morning - the first officer
casualty.

Also attending the Service will, I hope, be CSM Bill Scarratt and Bobby Peacock, all of us from 1/8 Bn The Lancashire Fusiliers.

Though much is known of the Tennis Court,
it is not widely known that General Grover
discovered the Japs were infiltrating to
the west and attached 1/8LF to 5 Bde who
attempted a night march down a valley and up a very steep hillside to surprise the Japs on the Merema Ridge. (I have a Rupee note printed The Japanese Government of India!)

There were tremendous casualties especially
at the battle for FIRS on 28 April. My
Company Commander Capt F P H Pearse was killed leading an attack; our CO, Lt Col M L West, was killed on 8th June and I have a letter he wrote to me while I was in hospital a few days before his death.

Acts of bravery are recorded in books by Sgt John McCann and in personal letters from survivors but no medals were awarded
to Lancashire Fusiliers
possibly because there was no chain of command left through which recommendations
could be made. In the period 26-30 April
7 Officers and 24 ORs were killed and 7 Officers and 90 ORs were wounded in 1/8 LF alone.

I will publish fuller recollections later.

Andy Watson (Formerly Pln Cdr 15 Platoon,
C Company 1/8LF}

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