Chindits Memorial

Memorial, unveiled 1990, commemorating the Chindit Special Forces, which served in Burma under Major General Wingate in the Second World War.

MATERIALS: Portland stone, red granite and bronze.

DESCRIPTION: the memorial comprises a tall 4m high Portland stone tapering plinth with a bronze Chinthe, a Burmese guardian temple beast, on the top. The plinth is set on three red granite steps.

On the front of the plinth is the Chindit badge, the blue enamel crest of the Chindits Association, in a roundel. Below the badge is carved in incised lettering: THE CHINDIT BADGE/ PORTRAYING A CHINTHE, A MYTHICAL/ BEAST, GUARDIAN OF BURMESE TEMPLES/ FROM WHICH WAS DERIVED THE NAME/ CHINDITS, THEIR MOTTO BEING/ THE BOLDEST MEASURES/ ARE THE SAFEST/ IN MEMORY OF ALL WHO FOUGHT ON THE/ FIRST AND SECOND EXPEDITIONS INTO/ NORTH BURMA 1943 AND 1944/ WITH THE CHINDIT SPECIAL FORCES/ FORMED, TRAINED AND COMMANDED BY/ MAJOR GENERAL ORDE CHARLES WINGATE, DSO/ CHINDITS CAME FROM THE ARMED FORCES/ OF THE UNITED KINGDOM, BURMA,/ HONG KING, INDIA, NEPAL, WEST AFRICA/ AND THE/ UNITED STATES OF AMERICA/  AIR SUPPLY AND DIRECT OPERATIONAL/ SUPPORT WAS GIVEN BY/ THE ROYAL AIR FORCE/ AND/ IST AIR COMMANDO GROUP/ UNITED STATES ARMY AIR FORCE/ AND/ 10TH UNITED STATES ARMY AIR FORCE/ VICTORY WAS HASTENED BY THE CHINDITS/ DARING EXPLOITS BEHIND ENEMY LINES/ HIS MAJESTY KING GEORGE VI/ GRACIOUSLY AWARDED THE VICTORIA CROSS/ TO/ [LIST OF 4 NAMES].

On the sides of the plinth is inscribed: THE FOLLOWING TOOK PART IN THE CHINDIT CAMPAIGNS 1943 – 1944: [LIST OF UNITS].

On the rear of the plinth is a blue plaque depicting a portrait of Wingate in a roundel, below which is inscribed: IN MEMORY OF/ MAJOR GENERAL/ ORDE CHARLES WINGATE, DSO/ 1903 – 1944/ COMMANDER OF THE CHINDITS/ KILLED ON ACTIVE SERVICE/ IN BURMA 24TH MARCH 1944/ “A MAN OF GENIUS WHO MIGHT WELL HAVE/ BECOME A MAN OF DESTINY” WINSTON CHURCHILL/ AN IMPORTANT INFLUENCE IN THE CREATION/ OF THE ISRAEL DEFENCE FORCES AND THE/ FOUNDATION OF THE STATE OF ISRAEL.