- Contributed by听
- Bill Hopkins
- People in story:听
- Bill Hopkins
- Location of story:听
- Burma
- Background to story:听
- Army
- Article ID:听
- A1130815
- Contributed on:听
- 02 August 2003
This is not a story of savage fighting in the jugle that made up Burma as a whole. Much has been written about the terrible, viscous fighting that marked the lot of the men of the 14th army.
This army, made up of many men of various races has been documented a great deal and hopefully will be continued while those of us who are still alive and who served with this brave body of men. I am, myself approaching my 83rd birthday and the memory of places and times becomes less sharp.
At the time when this incident occured at a place called "TAMU". I was serving in a field hospital. The Japanise army were reeling in dissarray after the battles at "KOHIMA" and "IMPHAL" where they were stopped and decisively beaten by the men of the 14th army.
It was a period of comparative calm and during one such period we were called together (about fifteen men) by a Roman Catholic Father who was organising a short service. He did state that he was aware that not all of us were all of the catholic faith but we were welcome to take part in the sevice. I cannot remenber, in detail, the service, suffice to say there were a couple of hyms and some prayers.
(At this point I have to record that in any group of men there is always one who is considered for want of a better expression "A WAG". This is about such a man)
The ritual at the end of the service was carried out and the R.C.Father then said (as clearly as I can remember after all this time) ...Go forth men, the Lord is with you and will protect you from harm.
At this point the "WAG" stood up and, (again as far as I can remember) asked the R.C.Father the following - "If the Lord you have told us about is looking after us, can you tell us which father is looking after the NIP (Japanise) not too far away from us". The reply from our priest was ...A very good question my son. At this point he blessed us all again and went on his way to other duties.
As a footnote I will add that the Chaplins and Priests who served with us at these terrible times were amung the bravest of the brave.
W.A. Hopkins.Cpl.
RAMC/I.A.M.C
漏 Copyright of content contributed to this Archive rests with the author. Find out how you can use this.
Recommended story
Story with photo