Burma Star Association - B.C. Chapter
On Sunday March 11, 1951, Vice-Admiral Earl Mountbatten unveiled a Memorial Tablet to Major General Orde Wingate, DSO, who was educated at Charterhouse School. The Memorial was erected by officers and men of regiments who served under him in Burma in the 1943 and 1944 'Chindit' campaigns.
Over the years the Memorial has deteriorated, and in late 2008, the C.O.C.A. (Chindits Old Comrades Association) decided to rectify the situation. Accordingly, and working closely with the Headmaster of Charterhouse, the Reverend John Witheridge, MA, FRSA, an experienced Stone Mason recommended by Charterhouse, was retained to carry our the renovation on behalf of the the C.O.C.A., and the work was recently completed.
Charterhouse held its annual Remembrance Service at the Memorial Chapel on Sunday, November 14, 2010. Attending the service and re-dedication of the renovated Wingate Memorial were Mrs. Holly Wingate (daughter-iin-law) and her daughter Emily Wingate; Colonel G. Gilchrist, Chairman of the C.O.C.A. Trustees and Mrs. S. "Gilchrist; Captain M.E. Williams, Chidit, 2KORR, 111 Brigade and Mrs. P. Williams; and Captain N. Robertson, RN, friend of the Wingate Famiily.
The Commemoration service was conducted by the Rev. Richard Lloyd, Charterhouse School's senior Chaplain. At the beginning of the ceremony, Miss Emily Wingate and Colonel G. Gilchrist laid the blue and gold poppy wreath on behalf of all the members of C.O.C.A. Throughout the wreath laying, cadets from the Combined Cadet Force lined both sides of the entrance to the Wingate Memorial, and stood at attention. The service was broadcast by the senior Chaplain to the School's boys, girls, parents, teachers, and invited guests already assembled in the Chapel. It was notable that the Order of Service for this Remembrqnce Sunday was Headed: "Wreath laying and commemoration of Major General Orde Wingate ..." After the service all the C.O.C.A. attendees were welcomed at a drinks reception in the Headmaster's house.
Capt. N. Robertson RN; Capt. M.E. Williams (Chindit); Miss E. Wingate (granddaughter); Mrs. H. Wingate (daughter-in-law); and Col. G. Gilchrist
Wingate Memorial, Charterhouse Memorial Chapel, Sunday, November 14, 2010.
Captain M.E. Williams (Chindit); Miss Emily Wingate (graddaughter); and Col. G. Gilchrist
Wingate Memorial, Charterhouse Memorial Chapel, Sunday, November 14, 2010