Kohima - B&C 97 Dec 01

ARTHUR RETURNS TO KOHIMA IN 2001
Norwich Branch member Arthur Storey returned to India and Nepal in Spring 2001 and is pictured right at GPT Ridge. 83 on 29 Apr 2001, the day he arrived, Arthur served in the 2nd Bn 1939-1945. A photograph appeared on p N19 in B&C 96 Jun 01. Led by Ann Hubble of the Pilgrimage Travel Dept of the RBL, a newspaper report stated: One of the 20 team members was Arthur Storey who had fought the Japanese at Kohima. He related his experiences as a Private in The Royal Norfolks 57 years ago: ‘We were in Ahmednagar in Maharastra when we heard the Japanese were heading towards India via Burma.. It took 21 days to reach Kohima, travelling on foot and by vehicle. Ordered to attack and not retreat, we formed a human box around Kohima to prevent the Japanese from entering. Four months were spent in Kohima, Phek and Kigwema in the thick of that historic battle that would change the course of the war in SE Asia. The only thing on our minds was to chase away the enemy. I recall how Capt Jack Randle, with grenades around his waist, threw himself over a Japanese who was firing on our troops near the tennis court. He won a VC for that..’ But, full of glee, he remembered the time the only food was chicken and Christmas Pudding, the other rations swept away by the wind to the Japanese.
A Gurkha Welfare Trust appeal arises from the visit for a project in Nepal at Adarsha Primary School, Amrang, Khoshi, to fund the building of a latrine block for the 150 pupils. It will cost Ł1500. Donations, via RHQ, would be gratefully received.

See B&C 96 Jun 01 for another photograph and the obituary for Winkie Fitt from B&C 88 Jun 97

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.