大象传媒

My uncle Bill was a miner from Atherton Lancashire who joined up as a regular in 1938, he was sent to Malaya and then up to Singapore, he fought for a couple of years and was taken prisoner but escaped after being tortured. When Major Wingate formed the famous Chindits Bill was there he went in with the first chindit operation in 1943, when it was over they walked out over 1,000 miles and very few survived. He then went in on Operation Thursday with Major Calvert 77th brigade, they went from India to Burma in gliders many were killed. Bill then marched for 5 days to a place known as Henu "Pagoda Hill" this is where he won the Military Medal for attacking a Japanese gun post. This brave band of brothers fought at "White City" for many weeks, the Japanese bodies piled up around them. They fought on through the jungle and eventually 4 months later captured Mogaung. Major Calvert was awarded the DSO with bar, Bill became a sargeant. They came out of Burma looking like walking skeletons. Uncle Bill didnt return to UK until 1946. Many men didnt get special awards, mentions or fancy titles but each and every one was a hero, the conditions were appalling they suffered from every tropical disease going and many died. However they are remembered with reunions and get togethers on a regular basis. My wonderful gentle uncle Bill died 20 years ago, but I remember him every day and thank god it wasnt me out there. Thank you Bill sleep well we are all so proud of you.

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