大象传媒

Like many young boys, I often read war comics and collected war memorabilia. I would constantly question my grandfather about his war experiences, impatiently ignoring my mother's remonstrations that he didn't want to talk about it and to be more thoughtful.

In fact my grandfather talked in great detail about his war experiences when only I was present. I still remember the look of distaste on his face when he discussed the Japanese tactics while the British were advancing.

He told me they often used to dynamite enemy spider holes with long bamboo poles with charges strapped to the end. They avoided taking prisoners due to the Japanese habit of surrendering as a group then dropping to the ground allowing a machine gun to open up on the British troops.

He survived the war unscathed physically, only after a shell landed yards from him, passing through the chest of his friend and burying itself in the soft ground. Unfortunately he passed away a couple of years ago or I would have written the stories down.

He always talked of pride of fighting alongside the Ghurkas, saying they were some of the fiercest fighters he had ever seen. I have a kukri that one of the soldiers gave to my grandfather, still in its khaki scabbard.

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