Asem Bhakta Singh, Special Correspondent North East
London: Waari Singbul Network (Sanathoi Bachaspatimayum) The remembrance service of the Battle of Kanglatongbi, also known as the Lion Box of Kanglatongbi, hailed as one of the fiercest battles of World War II, was held with a moving roll call to honour the sacrifices 105 men of British and Indian armies. These brave men, part of the Ordnance personnel of the 221 Advance Ordnance Depot (AOD) of the 14th Army, valiantly defended their post on the night of 6th/7th April 1944.
Set against the backdrop of Manipur under British rule, this battleground bore witness to the relentless struggle during the Burma Campaign. The Lion Box at Kanglatongbi emerged as a crucial battle where the British and Indian troops thwarted the Japanese advance into India, marking a turning point in the larger Imphal Campaign.
Traditionally, the 80th anniversary observance would have taken place at the Kanglatongbi battle site, adorned with a memorial honouring the fallen. However, due to the ongoing ethnic unrest gripping Manipur since May 3, 2023, the commemoration was relocated for the first time to the Burma Star Memorial at the National Memorial Arboretum (NMA) in the UK, on April 7, 2024, at 1 pm BST.
Led by Reverend Dr. Andrew Sangster, the service commenced with the Lord’s Prayer and the national anthem of the United Kingdom. A heartfelt tribute penned by Brigadier Clive Elderton CBE, former British Military Adviser to India, was eloquently delivered by Col. Terry Bern in the absence of its author. Representatives from diverse faiths offered prayers in honor of the fallen soldiers.
Personal recollections added an emotional touch to the ceremony, with Tim Vaughn, grandson of WOII Tom Ansell (REME), sharing excerpts from “The Forgotten Army.” Joan Bolton-Frost, daughter of Sgt. Bernard Hargreaves, reminisced about her father’s wartime experiences through moving letters.
In a solemn procession, remembrance wreaths were reverently laid at the memorial, symbolizing collective gratitude for the sacrifices made at Kanglatongbi. A moving roll call followed, meticulously reciting the names of the fallen soldiers, ensuring each was honored with dignity and respect.
Amidst the solemnity, Lance Corporal Sanjog Gurung and Founder, Second World War Imphal Campaign Foundation, Rajeshwor Yumnam, representing the Indian soldiers, echoed a message of remembrance and reflection. Yumnam highlighted the enduring impact of Manipur’s geopolitical role during WWII, stressing the imperative of peace as the ultimate solution.
Despite the geographical distance, the ceremony transcended boundaries, uniting diverse individuals in homage to a shared history. As the service concluded, the priest’s invocation for peace resonated, echoing a collective aspiration for reconciliation amidst turbulent times.
