Sir,

As we approach VJ Day, it would be well to remember those who perished in the Far East during the Burma campaign.

The 2nd Battalion of the Royal Welsh Fusiliers was involved from beginning to end. I joined the Battalion in India in January 1945 and served with them until November 1947, almost three years - a year of which was spent in the occupation of Japan and nine months in Malaya during the communist uprising.

In memory of those who perished, we used to march singing the following song, set to the tune of the Red River Valley.

There’s a place in the East called Kohima,

It’s a place that we all know so well.

For ’twas there that we lost most our manhood.

It was there that our brave comrades fell.

So when you get back to Old Blightly,

And this war is all over and won,

Just remember the poor British Squaddie

Who died by the Japanese gun.

Duncan Hilling,

33 Scandinavia Heights,

Saundersfoot.

Footnote: The defeat of the Japanese at the battle of Kohima decided the outcome of the war.