Last of the Leicestershire Chindits: Celebrating 80 Years of Service on VJ Day

Strategic Insights -

Charlie Richards, the last surviving member of the 7th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment, is to attend a National Commemorative Event at the National Memorial Arboretum to mark the 80th anniversary of VJ Day. At 104, Charlie has seen it all, from jungle warfare to the end of the Second World War. He was born in Scotland but raised in Kettering and was called up to the regiment in 1942. Charlie's experiences in Burma, now Myanmar, were nothing short of brutal. He was part of the Chindits, a special fighting force that carried out guerrilla-style operations behind enemy lines. The Chindits were engaged in intense battles, often with little food or supplies, and Charlie saw his best friend, Harold 'Son' Johnson, tragically killed in action.

Charlie's time in Burma was marked by extreme hardship, including being stranded behind enemy lines for six months and surviving on bread that was covered in mold. The men were constantly fighting off the Japanese troops, who would often attack in waves, willing to sacrifice themselves to reach the British soldiers. Despite the horrors he witnessed, Charlie's memories of jungle warfare were tinged with moments of humor and camaraderie, such as when he met Jackie Coogan, a famous actor, who was flying in supplies to the troops.

Key Takeaways:

  • Charlie Richards, 104, is the last surviving member of the 7th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment and will attend a National Commemorative Event to mark the 80th anniversary of VJ Day.
  • Charlie was born in Scotland but raised in Kettering and was called up to the regiment in 1942.
  • He was part of the Chindits, a special fighting force that carried out guerrilla-style operations behind enemy lines in Burma.
  • Charlie saw his best friend, Harold 'Son' Johnson, tragically killed in action by a Japanese sniper.
  • He survived on bread covered in mold and was stranded behind enemy lines for six months.
  • The Chindits fought intense battles with little food or supplies and were constantly fighting off Japanese troops.
  • Charlie's memories of jungle warfare were tinged with moments of humor and camaraderie, such as when he met Jackie Coogan.

Statistics:

  • 80 years of service: Charlie Richards has served for eight decades, from 1942 to the present day.
  • 7th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment: Charlie was a member of this regiment, which was one of the bravest in the British Army during World War II.
  • 10 months: Charlie spent 10 months in Karachi, which was a welcome respite from the horrors of jungle warfare.
  • 70lbs: The weight of the packs and equipment that the Chindits carried in the jungle.
  • 43C: The temperature in the jungle, which was often unbearable for the soldiers.

Sources:

  • "Corby war hero who is 'last of the Leicestershire Chindits' celebrates 100th birthday" - Northants Telegraph
  • "Voices of VJ Day - 80 years on" - Army Benevolent Fund
  • Image courtesy of JPI Media UK