We are holding our annual memorial service at The Burma War Memorial on The Lugger in Portscatho. Roseland residents and visitors are joined by representatives from the Royal British Legion. Together we remember all who served in the conflict and pay particular tribute to the 26,380 allied troops who were killed in Burma 1941-45 and who have no known grave.
People are often surprised that there is a memorial for the war in Burma on the Roseland. The initiative to build the memorial came from James Allan who lived in Portscatho. He had been a company commander in the 2nd Battalion Green Howards in Burma, where he witnessed the bodies of fallen comrades not receiving proper burials.
In 1998, Mr Allan said “It upset me considerably because we were all friends whatever our rank. I suppose the idea has been simmering away at the back of my mind for all that time. The fact that all those soldiers have no known grave is something that I have never been able to accept.”
The Memorial was dedicated on 7th May 1998 by Viscount John Slim, son of Viscount William Slim who led the 14th Army, often known as “The Forgotten Army”. In the Burma campaign 36,000 allied troops lost their lives, but more than 26,000 never received a proper burial. It is dedicated to service personnel of all nationalities and religions who fell in Burma and was the first of its kind in the UK.
As time has passed there are fewer veterans still with us, however there are still local families whose relatives served in Burma and carried the effects of that experience throughout their lives. We believe it is important to continue to commemorate the sacrifice so many made.
Please join us at 3pm on Friday 15th August on The Lugger to commemorate this special occasion, followed by refreshments at Portscatho United Church.
