Burma and Kohima Index

THE KOHIMA MEMORIAL AND BURMA EPITAPH
The Kohima 2nd Division Memorial is maintained by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission on behalf of the 2nd Infantry Division. The memorial remembers the Allied dead who repulsed the Japanese 15th Army, a force of 100,000 men, who had invaded India in Mar 1944 in Operation U-Go. Kohima, the capital of Nagaland, was vital to control the area and in fierce fighting the Japanese finally withdrew from the area in June of that year.
The Memorial itself consists of a large monolith of Naga stone such as is used to mark the graves of dead Nagas. The stone is set upright on a dressed stone pedestal, the overall height being 15 feet. A small cross is carved at the top of the monolith and below this a bronze panel is inset. The panel bears the inscription:

The words are attributed to John Maxwell Edmonds (1875-1958), an English Classicist, who had put them together among a collection of 12 epitaphs for World War One, in 1916.
According to the Burma Star Association, the words were used for the Kohima Memorial as a suggestion by Maj John Etty-Leal, the GSO 2 of the 2nd Division, another classical scholar.
The verse is thought to have been inspired by the Greek lyric poet Simonides of Ceos (556-468 BC) who wrote after the Battle of Thermopylae in 480 BC:

"Go tell the Spartans, thou that passest by,
That faithful to their precepts here we lie."

www.burmastar.org.uk/epitaph.htm by Derek Lawbuary.
B&C 98 Jun 02

A DEBT OF HONOUR - THE KOHIMA EDUCATIONAL TRUST
In March 1944 a force of 100 000 Japanese invaded India. The UK 2nd Infantry Division fought fiercely to repel the advance. Culminating at Kohima, a name immortalised in the history of warfare as one of the turning points of WW2, the Japanese withdrew in June of that year. To mark the 60th Anniversary of Kohima, the 2nd Division Veteran’s Club have co-operated with the current UK 2nd Division in creating the Kohima Educational Trust. It is for the benefit of the Naga people, the indigenous residents of the Kohima area, who played an important role as staunch allies in the battle as guides, porters, spies, stretcher-bearers and combatants. They suffered casualties. Their homes were destroyed. Without their help the battle might not have been won. The Nagas received much praise and gratitude, but that was long ago. Neither they nor their successors have received, from any source, meaningful recognition of what they did or endured. The trust will help Nagas with the education of their children via scholarships, exchange visits, awards, prizes and the provision of educational materials, especially schoolbooks.

Educators and leading citizens in Kohima are closely involved and heartily welcome the initiative.
One wrote to the Trustees: ‘You have not forgotten us.’ Those who contribute have the option of being listed as ‘Friends of the Kohima Educational Trust’ and receive reports of activities. You can contribute in 3 ways: by writing a cheque payable to the Kohima Educational Trust, instructing your bank to place a standing order or by making a legacy to the Trust through a codicil in your will. Send your contribution, no amount is too small, to Capt Maurice J Franses, RHQ, Britannia House, TA Centre, 325 Aylsham Rd, Norwich, NR3 2AB. The familiar Burma Epitaph is inscribed on a 15’ high monolith at Kohima: ‘When you go home, Tell them of us and say: For your tomorrow We gave our today.’
Pictured are Capt Maurice Franses at Kohima, with Viswema behind, and Jakhama School near Kohima
B&C 101 Dec 03

Editorial Rule
To qualify for inclusion in the B&C there is only one rule - something described must have been said to have happened.
The authority is the Editor, British Army Review No 114 Dec 96, `If the facts don`t fit the legend, print the legend’.

However, the rules of good taste, respect and confidentiality are always applied.