My Grandad was at the Burma Campaign-Kohima 1942-1946-got announced dead in battle-sniper-Suffolk reg jungle terrain, turned up unexpected in Northfleet Kent, still got he's Burma Star -Legend Mr Sid Huckstepp, I miss my Grandad x.
"Everybody loved Bill Slim..." Terrific. George Macdonald Fraser said the same in his wonderful book Quartered Safe out Here. These blokes inflicted the biggest defeat of the Japanese army in WW2. The pride and modesty of this man shines through it all.
Good to hear from a Burma veteran about his experiences, especially in Kohima. Salt of the earth. My father served in an infantry regiment in Burma and was a great admirer of Bill Slim. He told my brothers and me that his jeep had broken down on a muddy road and was holding things up. Another jeep roared up with General Slim in it who roared "Lieutenant! Get your f@cking jeep out of the way!" Dad considered being spoken to by that much-loved soldier an honour.
My Uncle was a Chindit in Wingates 3rd Column - they went in with Gliders, blew up railways and sabotaged the Japanese behind enemy lines.He fought at the Battle of the Irrawaddy and would hardly speak of his time in the War. Many of his column were lost in the Jungle and when he came home at wars end, my Grandmother said he was skin and bone. I believe the memories of loss of mates and squadies was too painful to recount ... he couldn't share a bed with his wife for years after the War was over for fear of doing her an injury if he was disturbed. My grandfather also served in the British Army in Burma - RASC on the Patrol Boats - they both came home safely. Gods bless them all! Thanks for the story Jim and RIP.
My grandad was exactly the same. He went to Burma in 42 on the same boat and took the same route as the gentleman in the video. He was with 99th Field Regiment RA (Royal Bucks).
My Grandad was a commando in WW2, went to Cape Town and Table mountain and then to Burma. I wonder if they took the same route? I'd love to find out more about my beloved Grandad's story.
It might be worth checking out the Imperial War Museum's interviews with commando veterans who served in Burma. You might even find someone who was in the same unit as your Grandfather: www.iwm.org.uk/collections/search?query=burma+commando&pageSize=60&media-records=records-with-media&style=list&filters%5BwebCategory%5D%5BSound%5D=on
My Grandad spent time in Freetown, as an NCO in The Royal Artillery teaching how to fire the Artillery pieces to the soldiers there. Then he was off to Burma.
My Grandad Sydney Steadman was in The Royal Artillery in Burma he told me he was at Assam in India but didn't talk much about his time there. Some didn't talk about things they saw, wish he had done but at least I have his medals kept safe for him..
My dad fought in Burma ... He wouldn't shut up about Burma.. said he wanted to go back one day. My mother was always telling him to shut up about Burma. He drove a BREN carrier... He wore the same cardi as this guy... My mother said he was like an animal when he got back..screaming at night etc... He must have calmed down eventually coz I was born in 47... My dad liked Japanese cars and had nothing against the Japanese.. He had a Datsun.. He saw British troops torturing (for days) and killing Japanese...
my father was an infantryman of the 5 1st division usaffe survived the the siege of Bataan the death March and camp o donnel pow internment camp of capas Tarlac.
Just seen this , what a guy , what on earth stopped more interviews of that generation being interviewed from all parts of the War effort by British journalists, before its to late try and get more done, I am in awe.
Len Kemp (a veteran I interviewed a few months before Jim Leech) served in the York and Lancaster Regiment during the Battle of France: ruclips.net/video/jiNRwKmFJrQ/видео.html
@@thomasozel4889I will be heading over there, my gt uncle served in the 1st bn Royal Berkshires, battle of France - Mandalay, died of wounds two weeks before the Berkshires were pulled out of the line for good.
My Grandad was at the Burma Campaign-Kohima 1942-1946-got announced dead in battle-sniper-Suffolk reg jungle terrain, turned up unexpected in Northfleet Kent, still got he's Burma Star -Legend Mr Sid Huckstepp, I miss my Grandad x.
"Everybody loved Bill Slim..." Terrific. George Macdonald Fraser said the same in his wonderful book Quartered Safe out Here. These blokes inflicted the biggest defeat of the Japanese army in WW2. The pride and modesty of this man shines through it all.
Love that book a very well read book in this house
No they didn’t. They inflicted the biggest defeat on the Japanese in their entire history... truly annihilated them
Good to hear from a Burma veteran about his experiences, especially in Kohima. Salt of the earth.
My father served in an infantry regiment in Burma and was a great admirer of Bill Slim. He told my brothers and me that his jeep had broken down on a muddy road and was holding things up. Another jeep roared up with General Slim in it who roared "Lieutenant! Get your f@cking jeep out of the way!" Dad considered being spoken to by that much-loved soldier an honour.
My Uncle was a Chindit in Wingates 3rd Column - they went in with Gliders, blew up railways and sabotaged the Japanese behind enemy lines.He fought at the Battle of the Irrawaddy and would hardly speak of his time in the War. Many of his column were lost in the Jungle and when he came home at wars end, my Grandmother said he was skin and bone. I believe the memories of loss of mates and squadies was too painful to recount ... he couldn't share a bed with his wife for years after the War was over for fear of doing her an injury if he was disturbed. My grandfather also served in the British Army in Burma - RASC on the Patrol Boats - they both came home safely. Gods bless them all! Thanks for the story Jim and RIP.
My Father was a Chindit , he went in by glider , lost a lot of friends. He also wouldn't speak of it .
My Dad was in Burma never spoke about it at all, he used to call Bill Slim "Ole Man Slim"
My grandad was exactly the same. He went to Burma in 42 on the same boat and took the same route as the gentleman in the video. He was with 99th Field Regiment RA (Royal Bucks).
Wonderful discourse. Thank you for your service. RIP sir.
my great grandfather fought in burma as a west african division love from us nigerians
My grandad went to Ghana to train men, and took them out to Burma in the 82nd West African Division. All the best from the UK!
RESPECT!
great interview thomas...one for the history buffs this ..god bless you jim. a true englishman...
My Grandad was a commando in WW2, went to Cape Town and Table mountain and then to Burma. I wonder if they took the same route? I'd love to find out more about my beloved Grandad's story.
It might be worth checking out the Imperial War Museum's interviews with commando veterans who served in Burma. You might even find someone who was in the same unit as your Grandfather:
www.iwm.org.uk/collections/search?query=burma+commando&pageSize=60&media-records=records-with-media&style=list&filters%5BwebCategory%5D%5BSound%5D=on
Certainly while Italy was Axis all troop deployments went via the Cape including of course to North Africa
My Grandad spent time in Freetown, as an NCO in The Royal Artillery teaching how to fire the Artillery pieces to the soldiers there. Then he was off to Burma.
My Grandad Sydney Steadman was in The Royal Artillery in Burma he told me he was at Assam in India but didn't talk much about his time there. Some didn't talk about things they saw, wish he had done but at least I have his medals kept safe for him..
My dad fought in Burma ... He wouldn't shut up about Burma.. said he wanted to go back one day. My mother was always telling him to shut up about Burma. He drove a BREN carrier... He wore the same cardi as this guy... My mother said he was like an animal when he got back..screaming at night etc... He must have calmed down eventually coz I was born in 47... My dad liked Japanese cars and had nothing against the Japanese.. He had a Datsun.. He saw British troops torturing (for days) and killing Japanese...
My dad drove truck Burma road India to. 529th I think
my father was an infantryman of the 5 1st division usaffe survived the the siege of Bataan the death March and camp o donnel pow internment camp of capas Tarlac.
Greetings from Canada. Thanks for this --truly the Burma Campaign is the forgotten front of WW2
Just seen this , what a guy , what on earth stopped more interviews of that generation being interviewed from all parts of the War effort by British journalists, before its to late try and get more done, I am in awe.
Dad was in sbs never said much but what a lovely dad rip mis you.
My grandad Edward clay was in the burma/goa war and he was always taking to me about it he lost his best friend too 😢
Love from Dimapur and Kohima.❤️
My Grandad was in the Yorks and Lancs, nice to hear them get a mention
Len Kemp (a veteran I interviewed a few months before Jim Leech) served in the York and Lancaster Regiment during the Battle of France:
ruclips.net/video/jiNRwKmFJrQ/видео.html
@@thomasozel4889 Cheers, my Grandad only went to Burma(Im not counting Northern Ireland)
@@thomasozel4889I will be heading over there, my gt uncle served in the 1st bn Royal Berkshires, battle of France - Mandalay, died of wounds two weeks before the Berkshires were pulled out of the line for good.
What a pity he didn't show his picture at the end and you never asked him to show it.
I took a photo of his picture after our interview. If you have a Facebook account, you can view it on the group called "WW2 Burma Research".
My Dad was in this campaign.He wa British.
Did Jim used to drink in the Locker?