The passing of Charlie Richards at the remarkable age of 104 marks the loss of one of Britain's very last remaining Chindit heroes. With his death, first-hand memories of one of the Second World War's most brutal and clandestine campaigns have faded into history.
The 'Forgotten Army' and Its Living Hell
Charlie Richards spoke last year of surviving what he described as a 'living hell' during the conflict. He was among the elite troops sent deep behind enemy lines into the dense, unforgiving jungles of Burma. At that time, he was one of only two Chindits still alive, a poignant reminder of a dwindling generation.
The Chindits, often termed the 'forgotten army', executed daring guerrilla warfare operations against Japanese forces in Burma during 1943 and 1944. While the nation celebrated VE Day at home, these men continued to fight deadly missions in near-impossible conditions, their sacrifices largely overlooked by the wider public.
Enduring Unimaginable Hardships
Despite their heroic efforts in ambushing enemy forces and sabotaging Japanese supply lines, the Chindits faced immense adversity. They endured malaria-ridden jungles, severe starvation, and constant peril in what is now Myanmar. Their story is one of extraordinary resilience in the face of overwhelming odds.
Charlie and the only other surviving Chindit, Sid Machin, aged 101, were honoured guests of the Royal British Legion during last year's VJ Day celebrations, where they met the King and Queen. Speaking to The Mirror ahead of the ceremony, Charlie issued a stark warning, expressing fears that the world was once again heading towards dangerous times. He urged global leaders to 'bash their heads together and see sense', highlighting his enduring concern for international peace.
A Young Soldier's Journey into the Jungle
Charlie was just 20 years old when his call-up papers arrived, coincidentally on the same day as those of his friend, Horace 'Son' Johnson, another young man from Kettering, Northamptonshire. The pair became inseparable, serving together in the 7th Battalion of the Leicestershire Regiment before being selected for the Chindits. They were initially told it would be 'one great adventure', but the reality proved devastatingly different.
Charlie recalled there being 'danger everywhere' in the jungle. He sombrely noted: 'Death was becoming an everyday occurrence, with bodies to bury almost every evening… after a few weeks of this it made you wonder if it would be your shoulder that death would be tapping on next.' Life in the jungle pushed men to their absolute breaking point, with malaria rampant and soldiers turning yellow from the harsh, necessary medication.
The Tragic Cost of Operation Thursday
The Chindit offensive, codenamed Operation Thursday, commenced on March 5, 1944. Before heading into enemy territory, the men were issued with white nylon scarves printed with maps of northern Burma, known colloquially as panic maps. Tragedy struck during the six-month mission when Charlie's best friend, Son, was killed just yards away from him. A group of Japanese soldiers appeared, and after Son's Bren gun misfired, he was shot in the head.
The campaign's toll was severe. Out of the 400 men in Charlie's column, only 140 returned home unscathed. The name 'Chindit' is derived from a Burmese mythical lion said to guard temples, and Charlie was fittingly described as a 'lion of a man' for his courage and endurance.
A Legacy of Humour and Remembrance
Paying tribute, the Royal British Legion said: 'We are saddened to hear of the passing of WW2 veteran, Charlie Richards, at the age of 104. Charlie from Kettering, was one of the last remaining members of the elite Chindit regiment that were involved in jungle warfare in Burma during the Second World War.'
The statement continued: 'Joining up at the age of 20, Charlie served in the 7th Battalion of the Leicestershire Regiment, which later became part of a 'special force' known as Operation Thursday. He spent months behind enemy lines, ambushing supplies and communications and battling through treacherous terrain, as well as sadly losing his best friend, Son, who fought by his side.'
'Last year, Charlie was involved in the RBL's VJ Day 80 anniversary, recounting stories of his time in Burma, including those involving many near misses that made him one of the 'luckiest chaps to return home' and relaying tales with humour and charm. Charlie became a great friend of the RBL, and his warmth and bright personality will be very much missed.'
His passing not only closes a chapter on personal bravery but also on a pivotal, yet often overlooked, segment of British military history. The story of the Chindits, carried by men like Charlie Richards, remains a powerful testament to the extremes of human endurance and the quiet heroism of the 'forgotten army'.
