The Chindits - 13th Battalion, King's Liverpool Regiment Memorial Event - Formby

THE Royal British Legion Formby Branch held a VJ Remembrance Survive for the 13th Kings Regiment, who were stationed in Formby, before moving on to India in 1942. In 1942 after leaving India the 13th Battalion the King's Liverpool Regiment marched into Burma, in 1943, along with the Burmese 3/2nd Gurkha Rifles, 2nd Burma Rifles and other British Units, supported by the 8 RAF sections. The Chindits mission was to fight behind enemy Japanese lines in Northern Burma. Fighting in deep into the jungles of occupied Burma, they would infiltrate and attack the Japanese using guerrilla warfare. They would knock out raids to confuse and disrupt the enemy’s lines of communications and supply routes, being supplied by air drops. The 13th Battalion the King's Liverpool Regiment campaign was split into 2 parts, 1st Expedition and 2nd Expedition. The 2nd Expedition was then flown into Burma again, in 1944, this time with other British battalions that had been supplemented by Burma Rifles, Gurkha and Nigerian battalions, along with a company of Hong Kong volunteers. Backed up bt both the RAF and the USAAF.

This event was held on Sunday, 14 August 2022, to mark their efforts and the fallen, at the site of a memorial to them. The event was conducted by both Rev Mark Stanford and Rev. David Taylor. If you want to see the memorial to the King's Liverpool Regiment, it is located on a electrical substation, on Proctor Road, Freshfeild (///points.search.water)

Did you know? The King's Regiment (Liverpool) was 1 of the oldest line infantry regiments of the British Army, having been formed in 1685 and numbered as the 8th Regiment of Foot in 1751...

For more information on the 13th Battalion the King's Liverpool Regiment, we recommended looking at:-

►  LivesOfTheFirstWorlWar.IWM.Org.UK
 
►  NationalArchives.Gov.UK

►  ChinditsLongCloth1943.Com

Merseyside veterans make ends meet with Military charity's support

HELP for Heroes is having to support veterans across Merseyside with grants to help pay energy and food bills as the cost of living crisis continues to bite. And, with interest rates continuing to rise the Armed Forces charity is increasing the funds available; to support immediate needs; and meet the anticipated increase in requests for help. Nationally, the Charity has already paid out grants worth more than £12,500, in the period from April to June, and has helped support almost 100 individuals this year, who would otherwise have struggled to make ends meet. Help for Heroes' welfare teams have witnessed for themselves the toll this is taking on veterans and their families. The Charity's average award in the 1st ½ of this year was £150, for food only, but the average since then has been £380, which has included an allowance for energy, where there was a clear need.

Claire Barnes, Head of Grants at Help for Heroes, said:- "Without doubt, what we are currently seeing is just the tip of the iceberg. Many of our veterans are feeling particularly vulnerable. The impact of the changes in the economic climate means they are facing cuts to their benefits, as well as needing more energy to meet their basic needs. Some are dependent on specialist equipment; such as ventilators, oxygen concentrators, hoists, or wheelchairs, all of which are powered by electricity. Others live with health conditions, such as spinal injury or amputations, that require careful temperature regulation, because they cannot maintain their body temperature themselves."

She added:- "We are also witnessing an increase in anxiety from veterans and families about how they will make ends meet, in a way that doesn't compromise their basic quality of life. Those with pre-existing mental health issues may well face more anxiety in just trying to live day to day. Our funds are not endless, but we must work with our veterans and families to do all we can to reduce the anxieties they are experiencing."

In the last full financial year, 2020/21, Help for Heroes awarded £414,000 in grants to veterans and families in need. These, typically, fund housing adaptations, adaptive equipment, and welfare support to help veterans facing challenges to live well. But, throughout Covid19 lockdowns, the Charity also met requests for emergency food baskets for veterans who were shielding, in poverty or unable to work, and the current economic climate suggests a much larger percentage of the overall figure this year will cover grants for food and energy.

Veterans or close relatives in urgent need of help with food and energy bills can get support from Help for Heroes at:- HelpForHeroes.Org.UK. Several other charities are also providing this crisis support, including:- Regimental or individual Service Benevolent funds, and can also be approached. To get support, visit:- HelpForHeroes.Org.UK.