The Forgotten Chindits: 23 British Infantry Brigade

The Kohima Educational Trust is delighted to present this webinar with Dr Robert Lyman and guest speaker, military historian George Wilton.

In 1944, 23 British Infantry Brigade fought in the Naga Hills to the north and east of Kohima, and while a part of Special Force they were the only Long Range Penetration Unit that did not take part in Operation Thursday, the principal Chindit operation in 1944. As a result 23 Brigade have received scant attention in the historical record – they are the Forgotten Chindits.

George Wilton first developed an interest in 23 British Infantry Brigade after hearing Dr Robert Lyman speak on Kohima at the Army’s Prince Consort Library at Aldershot. Since then he has research it extensively and an article was published in the British Journal of Military History in November 2020, https://bjmh.gold.ac.uk/article/view/1427. George has an MA in Strategic Studies which he gained after a career in oil and gas. He is a member of the British Commission for Military History and a Managing Editor for its Journal.

We are very grateful to George for all his research and this fascintating presentation.  If any of our viewers would like to share stories of their family history that relate to this talk, you may like to contact George directly via email.  His email address is: george.wilton@btinternet.com

The recording of the talk is now available to view below.

During the talk, George mentions RAF Flying Officer Ray Jackson MC who crashed his aircraft in the hills near Jessami on 22nd March 1944.  More detail on this fascinating story can be found on Dr Robert Lyman's blog "The War Room" - see article below: 

Our speakers:

Dr Robert Lyman - Military Historian, Author and Trustee of KET

Born in New Zealand in January 1963 and educated in Australia, Robert Lyman was, for twenty years, an officer in the British Army. Educated at Scotch College, Melbourne he was commissioned into the Light Infantry from the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst, in April 1982. In addition to a business career he is an author and military historian, publishing books in particular on the war in the Far East. He is a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society. Robert is married to Hannah, has two sons, and lives in Berkshire. For information about Robert's publications please visit his website: robertlyman.com

George Wilton - Military Historian 

George Wilton first developed an interest in 23 British Infantry Brigade after hearing Dr Robert Lyman speak on Kohima at the Army’s Prince Consort Library at Aldershot. Since then he has research it extensively and an article was published in the British Journal of Military History in November 2020, https://bjmh.gold.ac.uk/article/view/1427. George has an MA in Strategic Studies which he gained after a career in oil and gas. He is a member of the British Commission for Military History and a Managing Editor for its Journal.

Sylvia May - CEO of The Kohima Educational Trust

Sylvia May was born in New Jersey, USA in 1957. Her parents moved to England in 1963. Educated at High Wycombe School for Girls, she decided to pursue a career in the world of books. Sylvia worked for HarperCollins for 37 years, the last eleven of which she headed up their UK-based International Sales team. Sylvia May is the daughter of the late Gordon Graham, Founder and President of the Kohima Educational Trust. She is proud that her father has inspired many people to share his vision to commemorate those who fought and died in Kohima, and the wonderful Naga people who have done so much for the British in the past. She first visited India in 1994 with her husband Robert, and has returned on numerous occasions, staying in Kohima several times. In 2000, they followed the WWII route of the Queens Own Cameron Highlanders, her father’s regiment. The regiment’s first main engagement in this theatre of war was at Zubza shortly before the Battle of Kohima.