2nd Battalion Royal Berkshire Regiment

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.

All Saints Church
All Saints Church The East End
All Saints Church The East End
All Saints Church The South Porch
The 10th Gurkha Memorial
All Saints Church the East End
All Saints Church Lectern
All Saints Church unique windows

.....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

 

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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

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