Battle of Kangaw (Hill 170) research & 2005 60th anniversary pilgrimage

Good afternoon all,

In 2005 my Grandad, Ted Syms (Captain of A Troop 44 RM), led a pilgrimage back to Burma for the 60th anniversary of the Battle of Kangaw. With the 75th anniversary coming up next year, I am working on a project to tell the story of the 3 Commando Brigade's operations in Burma along with revisiting the impact the pilgrimage had on those who attended. My Grandad is no longer with us, and indeed the last of his friends from A troop that I knew passed away in January of this year. I would be extremely grateful if there is anyone out there who could assist me in my research for personal accounts or indeed if there are any veterans out there who would be willing to speak to me.

I am intent on ensuring that the 75th anniversary is not over looked so if you have any information or stories you would like to share, please do get in touch.

There is a small piece on the pilgrimage itself on the Burma Star site:

https://www.burmastar.org.uk/stories/burma-and-the-battle-of-kangaw/

Please either drop me a line here or via my website: www.ohwhataladylikewar.com

All the best,
Lucy

I believe this is the Pilgrimage that Lucy refers to:

http://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/d/33962-5/The++3+Cdo+Bde+Pilgrimage+in+2005.pdf

Nick

Hi Lucy,

I have a brochure from the commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the Battle of Kangaw; an article by Major Mark Bentinck RM entitled 'Kangaw - 31 January 1945' from the Globe & Laurel in 2005; a 3,500-word account written by someone from 44 RM in 1994; and a copy of your grandfather's booklet prepared for the pilgrimage! Are any of these any use to you?

Best regards,

Julie