Chindit Memorial facts for kids
The Chindit Memorial is a special war memorial in London, England. It honors the brave soldiers of the Chindits. This was a special army unit that fought in Burma during World War II. Their leader was Major General Orde Wingate.
The memorial was put up in Victoria Embankment Gardens in 1990. It is close to the Ministry of Defence building. The memorial also remembers Wingate, who died in Burma in 1944. In 2020, it became a Grade II listed building. This means it's an important historical place.
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Who Were the Chindits?
The Chindits were a special group of soldiers. They were officially called the 77th Indian Infantry Brigade in 1943. Later, they became the 3rd Indian Infantry Division in 1944. Major General Wingate created them to fight behind Japanese lines. They were active in the Burma Campaign in 1943 and 1944.
They got their name from a mythical creature called the chinthe. The chinthe is a guardian lion from Burmese temples. You can see a sculpture of the chinthe on top of the memorial. This sculpture was made by Frank Forster.
What Does the Memorial Look Like?
The memorial was designed by an architect named David Price. It has a tall stone pillar, about 4 meters (13 feet) high. This pillar is made of Portland stone and stands on three red granite steps.
Messages on the Memorial
The front of the memorial has words honoring the Chindits. It also shows the Chindit badge on a blue background. Their motto, "The boldest measures are the safest," is also there.
The memorial lists four Chindit soldiers who received the Victoria Cross. This is the highest award for bravery in the British military. These heroes were Major Frank Blaker, Captain Michael Allmand, Lieutenant George Albert Cairns, and Rifleman Tulbahadur Pun.
The sides of the memorial list the different army units that were part of the Chindits. The back of the memorial is dedicated to Major General Wingate. It has a blue plaque with his picture. There's also a famous quote about him from Winston Churchill. Churchill said Wingate was "A man of genius who might well have become a man of destiny."
Unveiling and Other Memorials
The Chindit Memorial in London was officially revealed on October 16, 1990. Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh did the unveiling.
There are other places that remember the Chindits too. One is at the National Memorial Arboretum in England. Another is at Hurlburt Field in Florida, USA. This one celebrates how the Chindits worked with the US 1st Air Commando Group.
A Listed Building
In August 2020, the Chindit Memorial became a Grade II listed building. This happened to mark 75 years since VJ Day. It was also just before the memorial's 30th anniversary. Being a listed building means it's a special building that needs to be protected because of its history and importance.
Images for kids
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A closer look at the memorial
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The memorial next to the Ministry of Defence building
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The Chindit Memorial at the National Memorial Arboretum
