Pilgrimage to Indian Battlefields, 2009

In April 2009, on the 65th anniversary of the titantic struggles for Imphal and Kohima, Robert Lyman joined the official British pilgrimage to the battlefields, led by Major General David McDowall MBE, GOC of the contemporary 2nd Division.

The other members of the party were Brigadier Clive Elderton CBE (Defence Attaché), Colonel Ted Shields MBE (Chief of Staff), Lieutenant Colonel Ingrid Hall (Commander Education), Captain Purna Gurung (Queen’s Goorkha Signals) and Mr Bob Cook, curator of the Kohima Museum, York.

Robert’s book on the Japanese invasion of India in 1944 is due to be published in 2010. The visit enabled the delegation to meet members of the Kohima Educational Society and for the GOC to present certificates to educational scholarships awarded to Naga children.

Robert is Chairman of the Kohima Educational Trust – for more information on the trust please visit kohimaeducationaltrust.net.

Photographs

.....
Captain Purna Gurung in Imphal ................................. Colonel Ted Shields MBE (left) at the DLI memorial

Colonel Ted Shields presenting a plaque in Imphal

Colonel Ted Shields with the author at the wreath laying ceremony

Kevi Nino P Meru (left), Curator of the War Museum at Kohima

Lee Grant of 150th RAC, destroyed in 1944 .

............................................................

Major General McDowall with Neiphiu Rio, Chief Minister ... Major General McDowall with Mr Pheluopfelie Kesiezie

.....
One of the Angami gaonburas
with Major General McDowall .......................................... Mr P Atuo Mezhur (left), treasurer of the KES

Author on Bailey Bridge near Dimapur, built in 1942

Author with Gurbachan Jagat, Governor of Manipur

British delegation at the Indian Army Memorial, Imphal

British delegation at the 2 Division memorial, Kohima

Wreath laying ceremony at the 2 Division memorial

Next Page