THE BURMA CAMPAIGN MEMORIAL

BROMSGROVE

In January 1981, MR L.J. Greenow, a member of the Bromsgrove Branch approached the then President, Mr. F. Gallet for the support of the Branch in building a Memorial to those who served and died in the Burma Campaign 1941 - 1945.

How the building of the Memorial came about is explained in Mr. Greenow's own words. 'TELL THEM OF US' As I took a last lingering look at these simple words on the epitaph at 'KOHIMA', I was filled with emotion and I vowed in my heart that their wishes would be fulfilled.  It was not until 1981 that he finally began to carry out his vow.

Funds were raised by donations from businesses in the area and many fund raising schemes were embarked upon by the Branch members.  The following Branches also made donations: Birmingham, West Bromwich, Chipping Sodbury, Evesham, Gloucester, Hungerford, Bridgend, Warrington, Bath, Newport, Stroud, Cardiff, Coventry and Birmingham Association of FEPOW. Worcestershire Reg. Royal Naval Association, R.A.F. Association, British Legion and Dunkirk Veterans Association.

The Bromsgrove Council were extremely helpful by offering a lovely setting in a beautiful area.  The first turf on Crown Green, Bromsgrove, where the Memorial now stands, was lifted by Councillor Mrs. M.M. Taylor on March 13th 1982.

On Sunday 16th May 1982, the unveiling of the completed Memorial was performed by Air Vice Marshall Sir Bernard CHACKFIELD K.B.E. C.B. R.A.F. (Rtd), the then National Chairman of the Burma Star Association.  The Memorial is unique in that it is a Campaign Memorial and bears the names of the Cemeteries in Assam, Burma and Thailand where our comrades are buried.  There are also Plaques to the memory of the Far Eastern Prisoners of War, the Royal Air Force and the 2nd Battalion Worcestershire Regiment.  Plaques recording the contribution made by the East and West African Frontier Force are also in place.  The Memorial is the only one in the Country at present which acknowledges their service.

The Memorial was handed over to the Bromsgrove Council in 1986 to be maintained by them and we thank them for their generous offer.

A Garden of Remembrance has since been erected at the side of the Memorial.  Members of the public have been invited to place a cross there in remembrance of a member of their family or a friend who has lost their life in any conflict.  Our Memorial has become well known by the community because of this gesture.

Trustees have been appointed, four in all, and are Children of Members or Grand Children to ensure that the Remembrance Service (VJ) will be held in August each year.