All Saints Church Maymyo
Theatre Of War Index
.....All Saints Church had
the foundation stone laid in 1912, and the Church was consecrated in 1914,
followed by the completion of the tower in 1927.
The Church is also responsible for the maintenance of the European Cemetery's
Garden of Remembrance which commemorates those who gave their lives for
this country between 1899 and 1950. The first service was held at this
church on Sunday March 18th 1945, after three years of Japanese occupation,
and followed by the attendance of the Berkshire regiment in April 1945,
attending their first service for many years, which moved battle hardened
veterans to tears.
.....Maymyo, known by it's present day name
of Pyin Oo Lwin, but will always be Maymyo in the hearts and minds of Berkshiremen
for it was here that for the first
time they took a well earned rest after almost six months of trekking in
some of the toughest and most inhospitable conditions in the world, their
rest was to only last about ten days but the most was made of the fantastic
scenic surroundings, the lake in which they washed the grime and dirt from
their clothes and travel weary bodies, many shaving for the first time
since they set out, recreation periods were taken up by playing football,
swimming singing and boating.
.....Maymyo itself was once used by the Japanese
15th Army as its, headquarters, General Alexander also had his headquarters
there until the withdrawal
of 1942. Lieutenant-Colonel Harold du Pre Finch also commanded the battalion
from Flagstaff House. Government House ('Flagstaff House') stood until
it was destroyed in World War II by Japanese bombing.
.....Did you know? The Burma Childrens Fund was started in 1995 by Brigadier Colin van Orton and Johni, his wife, with Lord John Slim as Patron. Vicki Bowman, previous UK Ambassador is on the Committee.
Historical information and images were
kindly donated by Chris Harrison.
Should you find the information
and pictures of interest, then please show your gratitude for the hard
work and effort made by Chris Harrison by visiting
their brilliant website at www.pyinoolwin.info and make a donation to their
remarkable
efforts in saving the children of this beautiful country.
You can also read about the marvelous work carried buy the volunteers
at the Burma Children's Fund website.
http://www.burmachildrensfund.org.uk
2nd Battalion
The Royal Berkshire Regiment
(Princess Charlotte of Wales's)
1939 - 1959
Come you back, you British soldier;
come you back
to Mandalay!
Rudyard Kipling
1865-1936